Trend: “Daddy body”

An American student's column about the attractiveness of men with bellies sparked a debate in major Western media.

An American student’s column about the attractiveness of men with bellies sparked a discussion that was joined by both ordinary netizens and publications such as Time and The Washington Post .

In the past few weeks, the term "dad bod" (derived from "dad body") has begun to gain more popularity in the media. Dad bod gained viral fame online after the April 30 publication of an article by Clemson University student Mackenzie Pearson entitled “Why Girls Love Dad Bod.”

An example of the perfect dad bod, chosen by Mackenzie

In her piece, MacKenzie described the phenomenon as “a nice balance between a beer belly and a flat stomach,” which suggests that a guy hits the gym from time to time, but can eat eight slices of pizza at a time on a day off and does not strive to achieve perfect physical fitness. forms.

Pearson considers dad bod an ideal condition for a man, because next to such a guy a girl does not have to try to look perfect. In her opinion, many women, on the contrary, want to look more beautiful than their men in order to feel more confident.

Mackenzie also notes that dad bod owners feel comfortable eating with each other and are also a pleasure to hug. She considers the main argument in favor of such a belly to be the fact that such young people help them immediately get used to how they will look in the future, and do not “deceive” them with their temporary ideal shape.

About a week after its publication, the girl’s article and the term dad bod attracted the attention of major media outlets. For example, journalist Brian Moylan, in a column for Time , criticized the emerging trend, noting that it only exacerbates gender inequality. Moylan believes that Pearson's arguments allow men to have more freedom, while girls, in her opinion, should still monitor their shape.

In a piece for Time, Moylan berates Mackenzie for wanting to not only lower the bar, but to exploit the imperfections of such men to make herself feel better about them. The author proposes another version of the dad bod trend, according to which all people should make the healthiest decisions about their bodies, without being influenced by advertising, the media, or even the opinions of their sexual partner.

Washington Post columnist Peter Holley, on May 11, on the contrary, supported dad bod. In his text, he said that from 20 to 30 years old he did not leave the gym, but his impeccable form not only did not make him more attractive to women, but also repelled them: they could praise his biceps, but did not strive to build a relationship with him and on the contrary, they even considered it “unsafe.”

According to Holly, the appearance of a small belly solved all these problems and made him more attractive to the opposite sex. The journalist associated this phenomenon with changes in relations between men and women due to the demands of the time.

Nowadays, women are looking for guys who have a good job, love children and offer them a soft tummy to lie on after a hard day - all these things dad bod promises. Men with tight torsos and wide biceps spend too much time in the gym and don't have time to keep the kitchen clean.

Peter Holley, journalist

Holly supported his opinion with research according to which women in wealthier countries increasingly prefer more “plush” men with soft facial and body features.

In addition to the media, netizens also took part in the discussion about dad bod. Many of them began to joke that now they can be proud of their belly.

I've had a Dadbod since i was 13. Once I was ashamed, now I am proud.

— Gary Shteyngart (@Shteyngart) May 12, 2015

Some netizens openly supported the trend.

Really glad the "Dad Bod" is in, cause I'm fairly certain I have one.

— Lee Newton (@leenewtonsays) May 12, 2015

Some people involved in sports greeted the idea sharply negatively, calling it an excuse for laziness.

I really want a 'dad bod'.. Said no one ever.

— Seany G™ (@seanymg) May 12, 2015

Idk the "dad bod" seems like more like a good excuse to be lazy and have a premature beer gut ☕️🐸

— Mason Everett (@MasonEverett15) May 7, 2015

Dad bod is quickly gaining popularity as a meme. You can already purchase various souvenirs related to this movement online.

You've got a Dad Bod and you're proud. It's time to show the world: http://t.co/kESxR6vOgM pic.twitter.com/6fpm2WiEHO

— Rowdy Gentleman (@RowdyGentleman) May 8, 2015

So we have lived to worship the ordinary,
Vadim Elistratov,
TJ

#Article #dad_bod #men_with_bellies #Brian_Moylan #Peter_Holly #Mackenzie_Pearson