Masculinity and image: the Looksmaxxing hashtag that boys follow but parents don't see. 114
What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?
What we see on TikTok often starts on message boards in fringe groups then spills over into the mainstream. This is true of the Looksmaxxing social media trend that's been gaining more and more currency among teen boys.
The goal of looksmaxxing is to meet a set of criteria for physical attractiveness, with a focus on the eyes, jawline, and physique and the ultimate currency is SMV, or Sexual Market Value.
There are some really positive elements to the trend, but its originated in incel groups so there can be a dark underbelly that it's worth us parents knowing about, as Mike Nicholson https://www.progressivemasculinity.co.uk/is well aware.
SOME KEY INFLUENCERS:
Kareem Shami - syrianpsycho
Dillon Latham
NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY:
Open Wide
PODCAST:
LOOKSMAXXING for the modern male (attitude, skin & hair routine, clothes, mewing, jawsize)
APPS MENTIONED:
UMAX
LOOSKMAX AI
MEWING:
The Mews are a father and son team of orthodontists from the UK who began to market their techniques on YouTube.
The basic principles of mewing include:
- Tongue Position: Keeping the tongue flat against the roof of the mouth, rather than letting it rest on the bottom of the mouth.
- Posture: Maintaining good overall posture, which is thought to support proper oral and facial alignment.
- Breathing: Encouraging nasal breathing rather than mouth breathing, which can affect facial structure over time.
When to seek help: from medical news today
Your son is...
- spending prolonged periods of time or repeatedly checking appearance in the mirror
- feelings of dissatisfaction or distress toward aspects of appearance that may interfere with everyday life
- spending prolonged periods of time worrying about or thinking negative thoughts about appearance
- persistent feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, anxiety, sadness, or shame
- becoming
OtoZen — a new driving safety app
Are you worried about your teenager getting distracted behind the wheel?
The OtoZen app helps in real time — not just after something’s gone wrong. It has voice alerts, drive scores, and even safe driving challenges you can set together, it’s the kind of tech that actually helps your teen build better habits.
OtoZen — a new driving safety app
OtoZen helps build better habits in real time with voice alerts, drive scores, and safey challenges.
This episode is sponsored by OtoZen: The brilliant new driving safety app
https://www.otozen.com
Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message.
I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping.
My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com
And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:
www.teenagersuntangled.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/
You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk