A Structured Review and Critical Analysis of Male Perceptions of the Penis: A Comparison between Heterosexual Men and Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

Abstract

Current research into male body image has identified several areas of body dissatisfaction among men, including perceptions associated with the penis. This is the first article to present a structured review, synthesis, and critical analysis of research into male perceptions of the penis, the psychosocial, and sexual correlates and to provide a comparison of outcomes between men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual men. Analysis of twenty-six international studies suggests that men’s accounts of the penis indicate diverse ways of negotiating normative masculinity. Key findings include that most men perceive their penis to be of an average size but would still like a larger one; and differences exist between MSM and heterosexual men in ratings of penis size, emphasis placed upon penis size, and impact of penis size upon sexual behavior. This narrative synthesis has addressed a gap in knowledge concerning how accounts of the penis by men expressing different forms of sexual identification indicate diverse ways of negotiating masculinity.

Male Body Image Self-Consciousness During Physical Intimacy (M-BISC): Validating the M-BISC With Gay Men

“…With respect to the first item, it has been noted that gay men are often concerned about the length and circumference of their penis [7] [8]; thus, it may seem peculiar that this statement did not appear to be salient to our sample of gay men. However, Simpson and Adams' recent systemic review of previous research (N = 26) pertaining to the genital perceptions of heterosexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM; includes gay men) suggests that penis size may not be a source of body dissatisfaction for MSM [9]. Simpson and Adams found that a greater portion of MSM considered their penis "above average" (35%) compared to heterosexual men (22%) whereas a smaller proportion of MSM deemed their penis to be "below average" in length (6% versus 12% for straight men) [9].…”

“…However, Simpson and Adams' recent systemic review of previous research (N = 26) pertaining to the genital perceptions of heterosexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM; includes gay men) suggests that penis size may not be a source of body dissatisfaction for MSM [9]. Simpson and Adams found that a greater portion of MSM considered their penis "above average" (35%) compared to heterosexual men (22%) whereas a smaller proportion of MSM deemed their penis to be "below average" in length (6% versus 12% for straight men) [9]. The second item that did not load involved nudity in the shower or bath.…”

“…First, the language contained in the measure is not gendered; thus, none of the scale items employ terminology that particularizes men's unique body concerns. For example, according to research, men worry about the length and circumference of their penis [7][8] [9]; however, the BESAQ does not reference men's genitals. Second, the extent to which men were used to develop BESAQ items is F o r P e e r R e v i e w unclear [4].…”

The association of genital appearance satisfaction, penis size importance, and penis-centric masculinity to chronically discriminatory ideologies among heterosexual men.

“…Additionally, given some similarities in experience between heterosexual and sexual minority men, it is plausible that these results may also extend to sexual minority men. For example, research has stated the importance of penis size in gay men’s construction of masculinity and the importance of being well endowed (see Drummond & Filiault, 2007; Simpson & Adams, 2019), suggesting gay men may experience similar penis-centric masculinities. This level of generalizability could be further tested in future research.…”

Masculinity, Injury, and Death: Implications for Anti-Knife-Carrying Messages

“…In other words, although a small non-severe scar on the cheek has been found to enhance men's attractiveness for short-term relationships (Burriss, Rowland, & Little, 2009), the physical compromise of these four features is probably undesirable even among men scoring high on hegemonic masculinity. Thus, most men would be unlikely to tolerate any genital disfiguration that may question their gender (Simpson & Adams, 2017). On this basis, and taking the issues of aesthetics and functionality into account, we hypothesized that the anti-knife poster featuring the eye, genital and nose injuries would be rated as more persuasive, emotional, and believable than those featuring injury to the mouth or the ear.…”