This study was performed in assumption that increase in the perception of gender sensitivity would have a positive influence on beauty management behavior in young adult men. For this, an online questionnaire survey was conducted against adult men in ...
This study was performed in assumption that increase in the perception of gender sensitivity would have a positive influence on beauty management behavior in young adult men. For this, an online questionnaire survey was conducted against adult men in their 20-30s in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do from July 1 to 12, 2022. The perception of gender sensitivity was divided into 4 categories: gender role perception, gender equality perception, perception of masculine sexual culture, perception of social issues.
In gender sensitivity perception, perception of gender equality was the highest while perception of social issues was the lowest. Specifically, gender role perception revealed a statistically significant difference in age, marital status and average monthly income. In addition, gender equality perception showed a statistically significant difference in marital status. The perception of masculine sexual culture also revealed a statistically significant difference in occupation. Furthermore, the perception of social issues showed a statistically significant difference in age and occupation.
Regarding the influence of the perception of gender sensitivity on beauty management behavior, no statistical significance was observed. Specifically, the effects of gender sensitivity perception factors were examined. For example, the perception of social issues had a positive influence on beauty management behavior. For detailed analysis, aesthetic behavior was divided into 5 categories: make-up, cosmetic surgery, skin care, hair styling, body shaping.
The perception of social issues revealed a statistically significant difference in make-up, cosmetics surgery and skin care. The gender role perception showed a statistically significant difference in skin care. Consequently, gender sensitivity perception had no statistically significant influence on beauty management behavior. However, previous studies found that adult men in their 20-30s engage in beauty management behavior often regardless of the perception of gender sensitivity. In fact, they have spent a lot of time and money in beauty management behavior just like women. In other words, beauty management behavior has settled as a means of expressing themselves for men. Therefore, young adult men in their 20-30s have recognized beauty management behavior as a must-have indicator for social success. It appears that social perception and personal taste & values have been taken seriously. In addition, high perception of gender sensitivity represents a considerable change in social perception on a gender role stereotype primarily among young people. Interestingly, such young adult males were very aware of gender equality while their perception of social issues was very low.
In other words, young adult men in their 20-30s have been more open than the older generation in terms of gender roles. However, distorted information by reckless media coverage and too much activity for women’s movement can cause reverse discrimination to men. Furthermore, it was the perception of social issues which had the greatest influence on beauty management behavior. When asked how they got access to social issues, ‘mass media’ was most responded.
After all, adult men in their 20-30s have acquired diverse information on beauty management behavior and gender sensitivity perception through mass media and shared them with others, catching up to the social trend fast. In this sense, it is anticipated that as men’s beauty management behavior becomes more common, men’s beauty industry would grow accordingly.
At the same time, gender sensitivity perception would also evolve in a positive way.