Men become more and more like women

The rapid industrial and economic development in the world brought significant changes not only to our lifestyle, but also the way men and women are perceived. About hundred years ago women were struggling to gain equal rights to men. Nowadays one can observe an opposite tendency: although men do not set up emancipation movements, it can be stated that their way of living and appearance is more and more similar to women's. It may sound quite unusual and weird, but different examples seen on the media seem to prove that thesis.

First of all, the stereotypical image of an ideal man has evolved dramatically from physical to more sensual view. Today less women are interested merely in strong athletic macho-types. Although physical appearance still plays a significant, if not dominant role in maintaining social relationships, spiritual values like intelligence and sensibility are more appreciated. Therefore, the man talking frankly about his feelings is no longer perceived as “mollusc” - it is nothing out of the ordinary.

Moreover, the man of today, as shaped by the media, puts more emphasis on his appearance than he used to. Regular visits to solarium, stylist, manicure, which for a considerably long time have been reserved only to women, now are almost equally popular among both sexes. Even it can be said that numerous men devote more time to their looks than women do and they do not feel ashamed of this fact.

In addition, an increasing number of male-oriented magazines like Maxim or Playboy is devoted to men's fashion. Thus, there is no surprise that together with appearance, the men take a particular attention to what they wear and whether it is trendy or not. The metrosexuals, as they are often referred to, can be called a new breed of males, more fashion-oriented and no longer inhibited by their typical image which clearly labels some things and habits as “unmanly”.

All in all, it must be admitted that the boundaries between male and female have been effaced throughout the last years. Although the men feel more comfortable with their sensivity and the awareness of their appearance, they are still aware of their heterosexuality and masculinity. In fact, the position of male and female gender has been equalized to some extent in social roles as well as the awareness of one's character and image.