By Danni Ybarra |Staff Writer|
Growing more and more in popularity, the “dad bod” and the ideals behind it are sweeping the nation.
Defined by Peter Holley of The Washington Post as “a shirtless, soft-bellied swain north of 30 who is currently lounging on his couch dipping lightly-salted tortilla chips into a kiddie pool of guacamole.”
“The kind that looks like [he] should be pushing a stroller and Googling high-blood pressure medications,” continued Holley.
A man with a dad bod is a man with an average body type, still slightly in-shape, but at the same time, not one you would see in the gym everyday: a normal man.
News outlets across the nation have been covering the topic. Most recently, The Daily Show with John Stewart on Comedy Central did a piece on May 12 and said, “what a great day for men!”
Stewart brought on guest Kristen Schaal who commented on how men and their “mostly adequate physique” are praised, while women “will never be able to relax about their bodies the way that men can.”
“It’s annoying that one is acceptable while the other is not,” said student Sonia Culouscou about the idea that women do not have the same relaxed standards as men and their “dad bods.”
“I wish [we could have the same standards], but I don’t think it’s possible because of the media,” continued Culouscou.
However, it is more than just body image. It is also the idea that a man with a dad bod “owns a suit, [and] makes car payments on a fuel-efficient vehicle,” stated Holley.
A dad bod conveys the idea that the man inside is responsible, ready for a family (or already has one), and is interested in more than just his appearance, but rather his emotional state and interpersonal relationships as well.
With that idea in mind, male students were asked about their outlook on the dad bod.
“It’s not really the type of body I want at this stage in my life,” said student Moses Bernabe.
“But I’d be okay with it later on in life, probably. I’ll probably be too busy to care about it. I’ll be focused on more important things,” continued Bernabe.
Student Michael Banks feels it may not be the healthiest lifestyle to live. Being an athlete, he has “always needed [his] body,” and that is the body type he is most comfortable with.
In regards to other men, Banks believes as long as they’re comfortable with their bodies, that is all that matters. While some men can potentially become insecure of their dad bod, a study conducted by the University of Aberdeen concluded that women from wealthier countries prefer men with a dad bod over one with more muscular features.
“My boyfriend has a dad bod and I absolutely love it,” said student Tiffany Shubin.
“I don’t need a man with all that muscle, I like to cuddle with someone that’s not rock hard,” continued Shubin.
Dad bod or not, Schaal encourages men to “show off how your looks are not what society values most in you.”
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