Effeminacy

Effeminacy is character trait of a male showing femininity, unmanliness, womanliness, weakness, softness and/or a delicacy, which contradicts traditional masculine, male gender roles.

Related Topics:
Femininity - Soft - Delicacy - Gender role

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The term is used to describe feminine behaviour, demeanor, and appearance. These judgements largely involve anti-gay stereotypes, and a positive correlation presumed between effeminacy and gay men. It is generally applied to men individually, but is sometimes used to describe entire societies, in a deliberately inflammatory general allegation. Further, some individuals may call something (even an object) "gay" to indicate that it is seen to be effeminate.

Related Topics:
Feminine - Anti-gay - Positive correlation - Gay

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Traditionally it is considered a vice, indicative of other negative character traits and more recently often involving a negative insinuation of homosexual tendencies.

Related Topics:
Vice - Trait - Homosexual

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In contrast to this, effeminacy is seen by some to be simply one characteristic or trait which might be a part of a particular male's "gender role", and in this sense would not be considered a vice or indicative of any other characteristics.

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The converse of effeminacy in women is masculinity. An informal term for masculine women is "butch", which is associated with lesbianism. "Butch" is also used within the lesbian community, often without a negative connotation, but sometimes with a more specific meaning (Davis and Lapovsky Kennedy, 1989). Note, again, that the adoption of attitudes normally associated with the opposite sex is perceived as a sign of homosexuality.

Related Topics:
Masculinity - Butch - Lesbian

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Sociologist Janet Saltzman Chafetz (1974, 35-36) describes seven areas of traditional masculinity:

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• Physical--virile, athletic, strong, brave. Sloppy, worry less about appearance and aging;
• Functional--breadwinner, provider;
• Sexual--sexually aggressive, experienced. Single status acceptable; male "caught" by spouse;
• Emotional--unemotional, stoic, don't cry;
• Intellectual--logical, intellectual, rational, objective, scientific, practical, mechanical, public awareness, activity, contributes to society; dogmatic;
• Interpersonal--leader, dominating; disciplinarian; independent, free, individualistic; demanding; and
• Other Personal Characteristics--aggressive, success-orientated, ambitious; proud, egotistical, ambitious; moral, trustworthy; decisive, competitive, uninhibited, adventurous.

:(Levine, 1998, p.13)

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Social scientists Deborah David and Robert Brannon (1976) give the following four rules for establishing masculinity:

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• No Sissy Stuff: anything that even remotely hints of femininity is prohibited. A real man must avoid any behavior or characteristic associated with women;
• Be a Big Wheel: masculinity is measured by success, power, and the admiration of others. One must possess wealth, fame, and status to be considered manly;
• Be a Sturdy Oak: manliness requires rationality, toughness, and self-reliance. A man must remain calm in any situation, show no emotion, and admit no weakness;
• Give 'em Hell: men must exude an aura of daring and aggression, and must be willing to take risks, to "go for it" even when reason and fear suggest otherwise.

:(Levine, 1998, p.145)

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Effeminacy: Acceptance and intolerance by society ►