Younger generations redefining masculinity through self-care

By Marlee Card and Daniel Lopez •

This article was originally published in the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Dec. 24, 2025 as part of a collaboration between the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts’ Mako Media Institute and mainstream media.

For 26 year-old Acute Physical Therapist Brett Bucci, it wasn’t until he looked in the mirror after his father passed away that he realized something had to change. Years of struggling with self-doubt, body image issues, and the lingering effects of an abusive relationship had taken their toll.

“I spent many years being negative, and it took my father passing away from cancer 3.5 years ago, to finally take a hard look in the mirror and find some solutions to improve not just my happiness, but my overall mental health,” Bucci said.
He struggled to understand what self-care truly meant. Like many other men, Bucci grew up with the stigma that showing emotion or focusing on personal well-being was a sign of weakness.

“We are told over the entire course of our existence to be ‘tough,’ that ‘men don’t cry,’ to ‘suck it up,’ and to ‘provide’ for those around us,” Bucci said. “There is an immense pressure in society as a man to put on a facade.”

What Bucci, and more men today, are realizing is that self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. His story reflects a growing shift as today’s generation prioritizes their mental and physical well-being, recognizing the connection between the two.

“Society as a whole is making immense progress in shifting the mentality of men and focusing more on men’s mental health, now so more than ever,” Bucci said.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, one in 10 men suffer from some form of depression or anxiety, yet only half receive treatment.

The correlation between men’s mental health and their personal hygiene is a double-edged sword. In many cases, neglecting simple hygiene routines can be a visible symptom of deeper mental health struggles such as depression, anxiety, or burnout.

On the other hand, a lack of self-esteem and confidence can also discourage men from maintaining their appearance or engaging in consistent self-care practices.

“If you as a man care about your self-image, you will take care of not only your mental health, but your physical health, as well as your overall appearance,” Bucci said. “There is a reason why when individuals are depressed, and not just men, there is a slipping of self-care, meaning people sleep more, focus less on friendships and relationships with their family, and begin to care less about their appearance.”

A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information surveyed university health educators in Saudi Arabia and found that practices such as mindful awareness, maintaining supportive relationships and engaging in personal care are strongly associated with improved mental health.

Bucci’s perspective highlights a cycle many men experience: When mental health declines, self-care often declines with it, and rebuilding confidence usually starts with small, visible changes.

For 18-year-old college student Jonathan Paul, this is a cycle he notices as well.

“You look at yourself in the mirror and your confidence goes up, and confidence is a part of mental health,” Paul said. “If you drop a couple pounds, get a fresh haircut, or your skin looks clear, your self-esteem starts to rise, you get compliments, and compliments really help somebody’s self-esteem.”

Paul agrees that even in his generation, conversations around hygiene are becoming more normalized.

“I believe hygiene is starting to be more talked about because it really matters,” he said. “In my age group, we’re still very young, but a lot of people are really into colognes, smelling good, taking care of their hygiene, taking showers, brushing their teeth. It’s becoming something people actually pay attention to now.”

This article was edited to comply with Mako Media Network’s style.