If you have an Instagram, you are probably familiar with those latte-loving, vintage-wearing girls who use the app to make their lives look as perfect as possible. They are notorious for their artsy overhead shots of breakfast tables, their use of the words “authentic” and “wanderlust” and of course, their minimalistic portraits standing in front of exterior walls.
But have you ever wondered who is taking these photos? According to Jeff from a recent video by the Emmy-winning Missouri talkshow, The Mystery Hour, “behind every cute girl on Instagram, is a guy like me… and a brick wall.” “A guy like me” being an Instagram Husband, which, at least on InstagramHusband.com, is said to be a serious condition that requires immediate help.
Symptoms of being an Instagram Husband include, having a “photo thumb that is calloused or blackened with wear” or suffering from “uncontrollable bodily twitches when you hear any mention of the words: selfie, brick wall, puppy, succulent, the food has arrived, shoes, it’s snowing out, I don’t look good in this one, one more, crema, sunset, latte.”
Of course, the entire concept of the Instagram Husband was created to poke fun at those who may take Instagram too seriously. The “Treatment” option on the website is even a direct link to the Jack Daniel’s website. However, the video, which was released in early December, has received attention from many major news sources, such as CNN and BBC, and the joke has even opened doors to a conversation about the gender-dynamics of success.
Jezebel.com recently argued that the Instagram Husband is a "novel" idea, as “men do not usually play the silent support role.” The article goes on to say that it is an interesting twist to the well-known concepts of the “band girlfriend/wife” that place women in the silent supporting role to their successful boyfriends/husbands. Jezabel.com’s article seems to hint that the “Instagram Husband” video and website are anti-feminist, stating that the reason they are getting laughs is because it is a strange and funny idea that a man would dedicate his time into making his wife look good while receiving no credit of his own. However, I would argue that, if anything, the Instagram Husband is a feminist concept.
In our society it is possible for anyone to be successful, whether that person is trying to gain Instagram followers and likes or chase after a bit more substantial goal. Ready or not, strict gender roles are fading and it is no longer strange for a woman to be the more “successful” one in a relationship.
The humor of the Instagram Husband video is not found in the warped gender role, but in the fact that it is created in a way to depict men as victims in need of refuge because they are being subjected to taking photos of their wives. It is meant to be satire, and that is what it should be taken as. However, maybe it can help us recognize and appreciate those who quietly help us on our way to success or just give us another way to laugh at ourselves.
