Good question, Jake! I look forward for the others to answer.
That remark from the coach about wrestlers might simply be his alluding to the fact that wrestler's attire shows more bulging (compared to other sports). So "wrestlers are more accustomed to revealing their goods" perhaps. Consequently, they're NOT as self-conscious (supposedly) in a locker room setting. Competive swimming would be another sport that "reveals". Basketball clothing has sure changed though, in the last decade. The baggier, longer-legged basketball outfits sure weren't around during my H.S. years! Back then, some guys on the court had plenty to worry about! And, suffice it to say, those watching the hoopshots (especially the girls!) were VERY attentive towards center court. -- But, times HAVE changed.
I dunno. Somehow, I believe men have never been as compelled to be so self- conscious about their bodies as they are today. Just think of it. With a constant barrage all around us... from those frequent TV sitcom jokes about "size" to the www and all its hype, not to mention those "info-mercials" with those super toned bodies on the gym equipment... it just seems (to me) that we men are constantly reminded of what we either have or don't have; what we show or don't show. Lots of men are left just plain scared to be seen nude, period. They'd rather DIE first! Or so it would seem
We've all read on here (and in other forums) of those accounts of men wearing their underwear in gym showers for pity sakes!
Now, what does THAT tell us? Is THAT reflective of sound emotional behavior? Is it
really? I'm not so convinced that it is. And, what about those newly constructed lockerrooms in schools these days which don't have the "gang showers" like those which existed when I went to school. Nowadays, there are privacy partitions and other enclosed settings in dressing and shower areas. Shoot. Taking a shower...is not always "required" (or, strictly enforced!) protocol, either. But, showers surely were mandated in my day in H.S. Phys. Ed.!
Understand here that I'm not knocking modesty and decency. I'm merely pointing out though, how times have changed. Such a paradox. We are more sexual as a society. Yet, we're more paranoid about how our bodies look and compare to others!---Women AND yes, Men, too. OH! --I think ESPECIALLY men. It's like we each carry some deep, dark secret that we're concerned about how we look to others. And, we do, too! --I think we ALL do
IF we can just be honest about all this.
I still contend that we'd feel better about ourselves if we could just be more open and accepting of each other and how we are "built" as individuals.
This running around covered-up in towels and scared to death to be seen by other guys in a lockerroom just doesn't come across to me as all that healthy in the long run. But on the other hand, I can understand
why it occurs because I was the very same way myself back in H.S.. From my reading about it, timidity and shyness seems so rampant in some lockerrooms today. I think it's worse than ever!. I worry for the younger guys especially and just wish they could overcome thei phobia! If allowed, this inhibition carries well into adulthood. Such thinking easily causes a plethora of self-esteem issues to set up shop. Believe me, I can surely tell you!
No. We don't seem to be a very healthy society these days when it comes to being happy with ourselves (i.e. our bodies). Sports is most certainly not the only element of "competitiveness" among men these days, you know?