《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词4500》93 Metrosexual Man

　　Unit 93
Metrosexual Man
If you haven't heard the term yet, one of the hottest buzzwords in the media  today is "metrosexual". Arnold Schwarznegger is a metrosexual -- as are Brad Pitt, and soccer superstar David Beckham. And some social observers believe it's just a matter of time until "metrosexual" becomes part of the English vocabulary -- and perhaps one day a description of the average urban male's lifestyle.
But what exactly is a metrosexual? The most widely accepted definition is the following: an urban male with a strong aesthetic¹ sense, who spends a great deal of time and money on his appearance and lifestyle. Proponents² might describe them as "heterosexual males, who are secure in their masculinity, and take personal responsibility for their appearance." While critics might call them "self-obsessed men who will go to any lengths in the name of vanity."
While this is a debate that will undoubtedly³ continue for many years to come, it brings to light an issue that clearly needs to be addressed in this age of changing views on masculinity.
For example, while no one blinks an eye when a woman watches her weitht, buys designer clothes, or takes care of her skin, it can be perceived as a negative thing for a man; as if somehow less masculine. If a man were to try and accommodate both sides of the fence, that is, emulate⁴ the idealized men in the media, while avoiding any time spent on his appearance (to prove his masculinity), he'd soon realize it was a no-win situation.
So, how does the average male discern what's acceptable amidst the mixed signals of our culture? The answer lies within each man's comfort zone, and how willing he is to stretch beyond it. The harsh reality is that looking healthy and attractive in this day is something that impacts the lives of each and every one of us. While this may not seem fair to some, the truth is that looking good affects how others perceive us, how we perceive ourselves, and can have a strong influence on every facet⁵ of our lives.
What men must come to terms with is that it is impossible to maintain a healthy, attractive appearance without spending some time managing and maintaining it. Fortunately, times are changing and many men are embracing personal pride in their appearance, breaking free of the outdated⁶ traditions that claim men aren't supposed to care how they look.
The beauty industry is well aware of this, thus every year we see the continued growth of grooming⁷ products for specific male needs. No longer do men have to settle for the antiquated⁸, generic⁹ soaps, shaving creams, shampoos, and other grooming products of their father's. For example, men now have a multitude f shaving cream choices, with many products containing skin conditioners, emollients¹⁰, lubricants, even vitamins.
While the average male may never fully¹¹ embrace the term "metrosexual", more and more of them are embracing the ideal. Men are finally discovering what women have known for centuries; that taking care of yourself is not only essential to maintain an attractive appearance, but that a bit of pampering¹² can be quite enjoyable too.

1 aesthetic   

adj.美学的，审美的，有美感

参考例句：

• My aesthetic standards are quite different from his.我的审美标准与他的大不相同。
• The professor advanced a new aesthetic theory.那位教授提出了新的美学理论。

2 proponents   

n.（某事业、理论等的）支持者，拥护者( proponent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Reviewing courts were among the most active proponents of hybrid rulemaking procedures. 复审法院是最积极的混合型规则制定程序的建议者。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• Proponents of such opinions were arrested as 'traitors. ' 提倡这种主张的人马上作为“卖国贼”逮捕起来。 来自辞典例句

3 undoubtedly   

adv.确实地，无疑地

参考例句：

• It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
• He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。

4 emulate   

v.努力赶上或超越，与…竞争；效仿

参考例句：

• You must work hard to emulate your sister.你必须努力工作，赶上你姐姐。
• You must look at the film and try to emulate his behavior.你们必须观看这部电影，并尽力模仿他的动作。

5 facet   

n.(问题等的)一个方面；(多面体的)面

参考例句：

• He has perfected himself in every facet of his job.他已使自己对工作的各个方面都得心应手。
• Every facet of college life is fascinating.大学生活的每个方面都令人兴奋。

6 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。

7 grooming   

n. 修饰, 美容，（动物）梳理毛发

参考例句：

• You should always pay attention to personal grooming. 你应随时注意个人仪容。
• We watched two apes grooming each other. 我们看两只猩猩在互相理毛。

8 antiquated   

adj.陈旧的，过时的

参考例句：

• Many factories are so antiquated they are not worth saving.很多工厂过于陈旧落后，已不值得挽救。
• A train of antiquated coaches was waiting for us at the siding.一列陈旧的火车在侧线上等着我们。

9 generic   

adj.一般的，普通的，共有的

参考例句：

• I usually buy generic clothes instead of name brands.我通常买普通的衣服，不买名牌。
• The generic woman appears to have an extraordinary faculty for swallowing the individual.一般妇女在婚后似乎有特别突出的抑制个性的能力。

10 emollients   

n.润滑剂，润肤剂( emollient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Do not use emollients or oils to lubricate the skin. 不要用润肤剂或油类来润滑皮肤。 来自辞典例句
• Contains rich emollients found in jojoba oil and avocado oil. 含有荷荷巴油及牛油果油之丰富滋润成分。 来自互联网

11 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

12 pampering   

v.纵容，宠，娇养( pamper的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• But you need to make an appointment because these people are usually very busy pampering pets. 但是你需要先预约，因为这些人通常都在忙于照顾宠物们。 来自超越目标英语 第2册
• He had been pampering, and coaxing, and indulging that individual all his life. 他一生都在姑息、迁就、纵容那家伙。 来自辞典例句