In a recent podcast episode hosted by Gogi Mavromichalakis, ex-news anchor Matti Rönkä shared his thoughts on the evolving perceptions of masculinity, particularly focusing on men's hairiness and the trend of hairlessness among young men. Rönkä expressed his confusion about the current grooming trends where hairlessness is often marketed as a desirable trait, contrasting it with traditional images of masculinity he associates with figures like Sean Connery, known for his chest hair and iconic roles.

The discussion delved into the bodybuilding community through contributions from 18-year-old influencer Elmo Mäenpää, who shared his insight that hair removal is a common practice within the fitness world, as it accentuates muscle definition. Mäenpää provided a rationale behind this trend, indicating that many bodybuilders shave their legs and arms to showcase their physique better during competitions. Rönkä's reaction underscores the generational differences in views about masculinity and personal grooming.

This conversation sheds light on the broader societal changes regarding beauty standards for men and how cultural expectations continue to shift. Rönkä's nostalgic references to more traditional masculine ideals highlight the dissonance between past and present grooming norms, suggesting an ongoing dialogue about what it means to be masculine in contemporary society and how that is expressed through physical appearance.