Rethink Breast Cancer Presents: Your Man Reminder

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Canadian organization, Rethink Breast Cancer, has put out a male objectifying video which promotes the, Your Man Reminder app.



The website describes the app's features:

• Customize – Update the App to fit your personal liking, with features that let you chose your man, his pose and more.
• Hot Messages – You’ll love the attention your man gives to you, with messages like “Any guy would be lucky to have you” and “Give your breasts some TLC.”
• Reminders - Tailor your calendar schedule with settings for weekly, monthly or surprise reminders directed by a sexy man of your choice.
• Education - The App includes a special “signs and symptoms” tab to hone in on the importance of early detection.
• Get Checked – Use a variety of scheduling options such as doctors’ appointments and many more.

I am bothered when the sex sells motto targets women and I am also bothered when it targets men. Two wrongs don't make a right.

The video reaches for a heterosexual female audience and does so in a very generalized and stereotypical way. As if all women desire a man who looks like the men in this ad. No offense to the chiseled men out there, but, I personally prefer a simple body. Defined abs usually cause me to feel overwhelmed. I find it to be too much and the look doesn't always look natural. Fine. Don't believe me.

In all seriousness, I do not wish to offend men who work hard to maintain a built appearance. There is no shame in reaching certain fitness goals or feeling good about one's body. While a great many may crave a Men's Health Magazine aesthetic, I do not.

While there are women who certainly admire the type of physique featured in the above video; the video makes great assumptions about what women want. I'm all for a reminder for at home breast checks but isn't it possible to get a person's attention without exploiting others in the process? It seems to be what so many resort to.