The Hollywood Epidemic

On a recent trip to my local gym I was reminded of the physical stereotypes that this generation is constantly trying to mold themselves to, and with Hollywood always glamorizing the next gorgeous superstar, who can blame them. I watched an incredibly muscular man bench press 225lb in sets of 10. He was wearing a tight black wife-beater and his arms embodied every Disney character, and actor that I have ever seen with a shirt off: Muscular, well dressed and probably couldn’t add 2+2. Around him were smaller counterparts moving less weight, but at the gym the goals and motives are them same for most young males, move heavy objects around to achieve greater strength and physique. Not be out done the treadmills in the center of they gym were packed with women looking to shed some pounds. They too were wearing tight form fitting clothes emphasizing the curves of their bodies. They gym can be an intimidating place if you cant move more weight than you carry on your body or if you were born with voluptuous curves. In the 18th century men weren’t expected to be as fit as they are today. They wore slender suites and top hats, which could compensate for a slightly un-kept physique. The women’s clothing in the 18 Century was more modest than the sports bra’s and spandex of today. Women were expected to wear long sleeved dresses, which draped to their ankles. In modern America more attention is paid to the quest for perfection of the human body, and both men and women are pressured to meet that standard.