Mother's boy

Mother's boy, also called mama's boy or mummy's boy, is a term for a man who is excessively attached to his mother at an age when men are expected to be independent (e.g. live on their own, be economically independent).

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A mother's boy may be effete or effeminate, or might be perceived as being effeminate, or might have a personality disorder, such as avoidance personality disorder, or might be schizophrenic, so that the mother acts as a caretaker. In any case, it is seen as a sign of weakness, and has a social stigma attached to it in many places. The mother's boy is seen to unconsciously hand over control of his own life to his mother, in exchange for a sense of security.

Related Topics:
Personality disorder - Avoidance personality disorder - Schizophrenic - Security

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If the mother has more than one son, then she will have, at the most, one mother's boy. The relationship between mother and mother's boy is thought to be "symbiotic": the mother enjoys controlling her mother's boy.

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See also: list of sexual slurs

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Alternatively, in recent years, some have begun using the term in a milder sense, merely meaning a man who is very emotionally attached to his mother. Though this sense of the phrase is still uncommon compared to the original pejorative intent, mothers in particular have recently made a point of stating their pride in their "mama's boy" sons.

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