Blog #4

In the first article, the authors/ researchers argue that in the past few decades, there has been a change in the way Americans percieve the male body image. They researched this topic in different types of media, particularly in male action figures by comparing older figurines with more modern figurines and interviewing some manufacturers. The authors say that this change in the way we view male body image has partly been caused by these action figures, pointing out also, that they might be changing due to other elements of media.

In the second article, the main argument is more the opposite of the first. The author mentions that she has been trying to defend Barbie from people who do not like the way she looks, showing that she completely disagrees that these dolls and action figures could possibly be influencing children's ideas of how they are "supposed to look." 

In the first article, an almost scientific tone is used. It isn't convicting but only presenting facts, as ina  report. At the beginning the authors list their hypothesis: "the physiques of male action toys... would proviode some index of evolving American ideals of male body image." They present facts throughout the article. Based on this I think the audience would be primarily anyone who might be doing research on the subject but also I think is article is particularly attactive to males, many of whom grew up with these action figures.

The tone in the second article is much more convicting and informal then the first. The author of the second seems like she is just venting from reading an article that argues the same thing as the first article. Her audience might be those that agree, that researchers interested in American body image are looking in the wrong place, and actions figures should only be looked at as actions figures, not real people to compare ourselves to.

From my personal experience, I work out and try to stay in shape. I workout because the sports I play require a lot of strength. After working out for going on 6 years, motivation is hard to come by and it is motivating to see someone who looks like how you want to look. But i wouldn't say that I work out to look like people think I should look, I feel as if I have accomplished something when I am done working out, and it gives me more energy. Lately for me it's been about being healthy. I also don't think that everyone feels like they have to look like these stars and action figures. I know quite a few people who don't work out, and don't have any problem whatsoever with the way they look. Maybe the toys did affect me, but I don't believe I have an idea about how someone should look.