THE REGULATION OF BODIES : SINGAPOREAN MEN

Abstract

The male body has increasingly become an area of interest to the state, the consumer society, females and to males themselves. In Singapore, a plurality of discourses acting on the male body has led to its regulation, cultivation and display. On the one hand, the state invests heavily in the production of strong and fit soldier bodies. On the other hand, a range of projects emphasizing the body beautiful, the stylistic body and the muscular body is promoted by the media and consumer culture and made available to Singaporean men. In addition, the female gaze---a particular way of seeing---has led to increased bodily cultivation and display by young Singaporean men concerned with social desirability and acceptance. In so doing, it has set the stage for a greater democracy of representation to come, as greater attention is paid to the sexualized/sensualized male body. In attempting to make sense of the different and overlapping discourses acting on the male body, Singaporean men are placed in a transitional situation of ambiguity. The question of individual autonomy in the regulation of bodies is raised. Whilst the state and consumer discourses may influence how bodies are regulated, Singaporean men not only do self-cultivation, displaying a certain amount of autonomy; but may also resist the existing dominant discourses. In view of the complexities contained within the network of discourses, a spectrum of male bodies is, thus, created.