Men, Muscles, and Meat Market Moments: The Truth About Male Objectification

When people talk about objectification, the conversation usually tilts toward women’s experiences—and for good reason. Women have historically borne the brunt of being reduced to body parts in media, advertising, and everyday interactions. But let’s set the record straight (and the pecs, abs, and quads): men get objectified too. And while some men shrug it off—or even welcome it at times—the reality is a little more complicated.

Male objectification often hides behind humor, cultural “norms,” and even those infamous locker room moments. But underneath the jokes and flexing, objectification can fuel insecurity, pressure, and performance anxiety. So let’s talk about it with equal parts compassion, humor, and data.

Objectification, Bro Style: What It Looks Like

For men, objectification often revolves around physical strength, size, or sexual prowess. “Nice arms,” “How much do you bench?” or the ever-popular “Wow, you’re packing, huh?” reduce the person to a body part or performance measure.

Unlike women, who may be objectified in a more pervasive, societal way, male objectification often gets framed as a joke or a compliment. Someone might say, “Wish I had your six-pack,” and the guy smiles, maybe flexes, and laughs it off. But here’s the kicker: behind the laughter, it can create a silent pressure to always be “enough.”

The “Welcome” Illusion: Why Men Seem to Like It

It’s not uncommon for men to outwardly enjoy being objectified. In fact, some men see it as validation. Studies on body image in men (Harvard Men’s Health Watch, 2022) show that compliments about muscularity can temporarily boost self-esteem.

But there’s a catch. A Journal of Personality and Social Psychology study found that while positive comments about looks or strength can feel good in the moment, they often increase body surveillance—that constant checking and worrying about whether you still “measure up.” Think of it as the mental equivalent of checking your abs in every reflective surface: fridge, car window, toaster oven.

The “welcome” illusion works like this: objectification feeds an ego snack, but not a nourishing meal. The compliment feels nice, but soon turns into pressure: “What if I lose my abs? What if I can’t perform in bed like they think? What if someone sees me without my shirt on after pizza night?”

Locker Room Banter: Fun, Funny… and Objectifying

Let’s be real: locker room banter has its moments. Jokes about body hair, size, or “Did you skip leg day again?” can be hilarious. It creates camaraderie, a kind of ritual ribbing that bonds teammates, gym buddies, and friends.

But—and here’s the therapeutic turn—it’s still objectification. It reduces men to physical features, performance stats, or sexual prowess. And while everyone’s laughing, at least one guy is silently wondering if the joke cut a little too close.

A survey from the UK’s Men’s Health Forum found that 38% of men felt uncomfortable with locker room talk at some point, admitting it made them feel inadequate or compared. Another study on masculinity in Psychology of Men & Masculinity noted that repeated “joking” about men’s bodies can normalize body dissatisfaction just as much as airbrushed magazine covers do for women.

Therapeutically, the important note is this: humor is great, but if it consistently leaves men feeling insecure, it’s a signal that banter has crossed into objectification territory.

Data Check: Male Body Image by the Numbers

Let’s bring receipts, because data makes this conversation more than “just feelings”:

• 25% of men report dissatisfaction with their bodies, with muscularity being the most common concern (UCLA Body Project, 2021).

• 1 in 3 men say they experience pressure to look muscular because of media and peer comparisons (Journal of Adolescent Health, 2020).

• 20–30% of men show signs of muscle dysmorphia (the belief they’re not muscular enough, even when they are).

• Objectification, particularly around sexual performance, has been linked to increased anxiety and erectile dysfunction in men (Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2017).

So while some guys genuinely enjoy being told they’re ripped, for many, it feeds a cycle of insecurity that impacts self-worth and sexual confidence.

The Therapeutic Twist: Admiration vs. Objectification

Much like with women, the antidote to male objectification isn’t silence—it’s admiration. Admiration goes beyond “Nice biceps” and moves into “I love how strong you’ve become since you started training—it shows your dedication.” See the difference? One reduces, the other affirms.

In sexual relationships, admiration matters even more. When a man feels admired—not just for his parts, but for his whole self—he’s more likely to feel confident, open, and connected. Objectification may inflate an ego in the moment, but admiration builds trust and long-term intimacy.

Humor Check: The “Bro Science” of Compliments

Let’s compare how objectification vs. admiration sounds in everyday life:

• Objectification: “You’ve got biceps that could crack walnuts.”

• Admiration: “I admire the discipline you’ve put into your training—it inspires me.”

• Objectification: “Bet you last all night, huh?”

• Admiration: “I love the way you pay attention to me in bed—it makes me feel safe and desired.”

The first set might get a laugh or blush, but the second set actually fosters confidence and intimacy. It’s like trading protein powder for a full, balanced meal—one builds, the other just makes you gassy.

Why This Matters in Therapy

In therapy, men often struggle to admit they feel objectified, because culture tells them they’re supposed to enjoy it. Admitting discomfort can feel like weakness. But acknowledging it opens the door to healthier dynamics.

• For individuals: Recognize that it’s okay to enjoy a compliment while also setting boundaries around how you want to be seen.

• For partners: Shift from comments that reduce to those that admire. You can still be playful, but make it whole-person focused.

• For groups (yes, locker rooms included): Keep the jokes, but balance them with support. Not every conversation needs to be a flex-off.

The Bigger Picture

Objectification of men may not carry the same systemic weight as objectification of women, but it still has consequences. It shapes how men see themselves, how they approach relationships, and how they perform in sexual contexts.

By reframing from objectification to admiration, we give men permission to be more than bodies, more than performance stats, and more than the punchline of a locker room joke.

Wrapping It Up

Yes, men often laugh off objectification—and sometimes even crave it. But beneath the humor lies a truth: constant objectification can breed insecurity, pressure, and silence. Locker room banter, while fun, often disguises the same dynamic, leaving men juggling laughter with self-doubt.

The solution isn’t to banish jokes or compliments but to mix them with genuine admiration. By doing so, we create healthier, more balanced relationships where men feel seen, valued, and secure—on the field, in the bedroom, and everywhere in between.

Because at the end of the day, every man deserves more than to be treated like a walking set of pecs with Wi-Fi access. Enjoy the whole man and let the Afterglow begin.