Are jockstraps considered a gay thing now?
I’ve noticed that many stores do not sell them as much or keep them in stock. Some sporting goods stores do not sell them at all and only compression shorts. Compression shorts seem to be the thing now. I feel like a lot of straight guys are more modest than they used to be and that they are afraid of another guy seeing their buttocks. Guys used to swim nude at the YMCA and now they don’t anymore. They don’t go skinnydipping anymore either. They are too chicken to be around another guy naked or undress in front of him. I guess guys are wimps today. Apparently males today are unsure or insecure about their sexuality. They used to give each other firm handshakes and real hugs but now they give weak handshakes and “half-hugs” where their chests do not meet.
I did a search on “jockstraps and gays” and an answer on Wiki Answers kind of confirmed my theory about why jocks are less popular now. I think it’s because straight guys associate jockstraps with gays now and they are also afraid of another guy seeing their butt because the existence of gays is more known now and they don’t want to take the chance that one or more of the guys in the locker room could be gay and looking at them despite whether the straight guy is really all that good looking (it’s funny how many straight guys assume a gay would hit on them even if they are butt ugly and then they are offended if you tell you are not attracted to them after they think you are after them). I’m gay and I could care less if a straight woman saw me nude so what’s up with the straight guys? I heard store owners also have an anti-gay hang-up about straps and that they are fazing them out. I’ve also heard that when people ask about where the athletic supporters are in a store that an employee or manager will give them a weird look or look disgusted or like the question made them uncomfortable.
Same reason women wear bras.
Any time you have floppy body parts hanging away from the body, those body parts can have a tendency to get in the way. Given that the male equipment is also conspicuously engineered to be between two of our most active limbs (the legs) and given that some men have more sag than others, it may be pressing to keep all equipment "in it's upright and locked position" (based on a given activity, more so if the activity level is higher).
That said, I don't wear a jockstrap. I go to a very busy gym and I can't remember the last time I've seen one. Men, young and old alike, favor newer garments engineered for that purpose (see below). I find them to be ridiculously uncomfortable and—frankly—they belong in the ash heap of history except when used in certain provocative cinematic features, the nature of which I'll leave to your imagination.
Since I do exercise quite a bit, including running 5 days a week, cycling, jumping rope, cardio/interval drills, and good ol' fashioned weight training, the best thing you can do is go with the more recent invention of "athletic sport briefs" or "compression briefs" or "athletic boxer briefs". Whatever. The aptly named UnderArmour "Boxerjock" says it all and is, frankly, worth every bit of the $25 they typically cost.
As to the gay thing. Look. Men like to objectify the subject of their sexual attraction (gross, but more often than not, accurate statement). This isn't a "gay thing". It's a guy thing. We like the sexy bits wrapped up and packaged in certain ways. For gay men, the jock strap seems to do that. I'm not a jock strap sorta' guy. Don't get me wrong, in a well-made movie with some really hot, appropriately endowed men . . . sure. Why not.
But, let's face it, a jock strap just looks gay. And they weren't intended to. Their engineering was specifically designed to "athletically support" the cock n' balls in such a way as to keep them out of the way during exhaustive activity (football, baseball, etc.). Some of them can hold a "cup" that aids in the protection of said body parts. The assless thing is original too, and not intended to be sexual but simply be minimalist and--IMHO--probably to provide quick access should an evacuation of the bowels be in order.
Jock straps are available "non-assless" (as it were), but until really recently, "gay culture" really wasn't seen enough, big enough or considered enough to even be an itch in the back of the minds of those who developed these garments. Their design was centered around what the designers thought athletically inclined men would want/need during sporting activity. I remember wearing them as a kid. I remember my dad instructing me as to what they were for. When he was a kid, CERTAINLY nobody was thinking about the gays, except to beat them up in dark alleyways.
So, while the missing rear-end may serve as a handy access route for anal sex, the truth is, it's just a happy accident (or unhappy if that's not your thing). Are they gay? Probably now, most of my generation and those younger, consider them pretty gay. And, honestly, even if we don't, I fall back on the fact that they really don't do that good a job and aren't nearly as comfortable as the product shown below.
Any time you have floppy body parts hanging away from the body, those body parts can have a tendency to get in the way. Given that the male equipment is also conspicuously engineered to be between two of our most active limbs (the legs) and given that some men have more sag than others, it may be pressing to keep all equipment "in it's upright and locked position" (based on a given activity, more so if the activity level is higher).
That said, I don't wear a jockstrap. I go to a very busy gym and I can't remember the last time I've seen one. Men, young and old alike, favor newer garments engineered for that purpose (see below). I find them to be ridiculously uncomfortable and—frankly—they belong in the ash heap of history except when used in certain provocative cinematic features, the nature of which I'll leave to your imagination.
Since I do exercise quite a bit, including running 5 days a week, cycling, jumping rope, cardio/interval drills, and good ol' fashioned weight training, the best thing you can do is go with the more recent invention of "athletic sport briefs" or "compression briefs" or "athletic boxer briefs". Whatever. The aptly named UnderArmour "Boxerjock" says it all and is, frankly, worth every bit of the $25 they typically cost.
As to the gay thing. Look. Men like to objectify the subject of their sexual attraction (gross, but more often than not, accurate statement). This isn't a "gay thing". It's a guy thing. We like the sexy bits wrapped up and packaged in certain ways. For gay men, the jock strap seems to do that. I'm not a jock strap sorta' guy. Don't get me wrong, in a well-made movie with some really hot, appropriately endowed men . . . sure. Why not.
But, let's face it, a jock strap just looks gay. And they weren't intended to. Their engineering was specifically designed to "athletically support" the cock n' balls in such a way as to keep them out of the way during exhaustive activity (football, baseball, etc.). Some of them can hold a "cup" that aids in the protection of said body parts. The assless thing is original too, and not intended to be sexual but simply be minimalist and--IMHO--probably to provide quick access should an evacuation of the bowels be in order.
Jock straps are available "non-assless" (as it were), but until really recently, "gay culture" really wasn't seen enough, big enough or considered enough to even be an itch in the back of the minds of those who developed these garments. Their design was centered around what the designers thought athletically inclined men would want/need during sporting activity. I remember wearing them as a kid. I remember my dad instructing me as to what they were for. When he was a kid, CERTAINLY nobody was thinking about the gays, except to beat them up in dark alleyways.
So, while the missing rear-end may serve as a handy access route for anal sex, the truth is, it's just a happy accident (or unhappy if that's not your thing). Are they gay? Probably now, most of my generation and those younger, consider them pretty gay. And, honestly, even if we don't, I fall back on the fact that they really don't do that good a job and aren't nearly as comfortable as the product shown below.
Q: Why do guys wear compression shorts now instead of jockstraps?
A:“I also think it doesn't help that so many gay guys think jockstraps are sexy, and so they are used a lot in gay porn. Younger straight guys who use the web a lot pick up on that. Then they think that if the gays like them, then jockstraps must be gay. So then they don't want to wear a jock because they don't want people to think they are gay, or have gay guys looking at them.”
A:“I also think it doesn't help that so many gay guys think jockstraps are sexy, and so they are used a lot in gay porn. Younger straight guys who use the web a lot pick up on that. Then they think that if the gays like them, then jockstraps must be gay. So then they don't want to wear a jock because they don't want people to think they are gay, or have gay guys looking at them.”
I know the answer to this one through many years of playing goalie in various lacrosse leagues.
Jock straps tend to cut deeply into the skin and become uncomfortable very quickly. Compression shorts, on the other hand, serve the same purpose while fitting comfortably (like boxer briefs almost).
Jock straps tend to cut deeply into the skin and become uncomfortable very quickly. Compression shorts, on the other hand, serve the same purpose while fitting comfortably (like boxer briefs almost).
Answer to the Question to a friend of mine from EQUINOX:
If the straps from your jock were cutting deeply like that, then you were wearing a strap that was too small. You need to move up a size. Compression shorts don't give the same support as jockstraps. And since they trap more sweat against the skin they are much more likely to cause jock itch and other rashes.
I think the real reason so many young guys like compression shorts better is modesty. A jock doesn't cover much so guys feel exposed even though they have shorts or whatever on over the jock. And when they change they are more exposed in them. I also think it doesn't help that so many think jockstraps are sexy, and so they are used a lot in gay porn. Younger straight guys who use the web a lot pick up on that. Then they think that if the gays like them, then jockstraps must be gay. So then they don't want to wear a jock because they don't want people to think they are gay, or have gay guys looking at them.
I am 33 and I wear a jock. I have to agree a lot of guys my age think they are "gay". I am very athletic and all of my friends kid me about wearing a strap, but now I notice more are wearing the basic white ones. If you play a very physical sport like rugby, football and others, wear a jock. Especially if you run, put "the boys" in a strap. Your balls will thank you later.
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