It is a degrading and offensive term. Especially sense it's more about climate in my opinion. Where it is especially hot for many months of the year, then I think they are more commonly worn by all dudes. I have been living in Belize lately and it is hot here to me even growing up in the South (US). Seemingly every guy wears them all the time. I think it's the lightest shirt available?
My wife says they look good on most men. Apparently especially if they have chest hair and start sweating. At least for her, that's not something she wants to see? Now I know why she tells me to put on a shirt when I have been working outside.
They are called "wife-beaters" because Hollywood always puts abusive men in this type of undershirt. These abusive men are usually portrayed as Southern. Yes, Southern men wear these because they are the lightest weight shirt available. Therefore, Southern men are stereotyped as being abusive.
