Hypomasculinity

Hypomasculinity is a psychological term for the absence of male stereotypical traits. For example, it is the absence of the de-emphasising of feelings and relationships. Oftentimes, individuals who exhibit hypomasculine traits display unmasculine professional or physical characteristics that deviate from the norm. ^[1]

A Jungian interpretation of this would be of an overwhelmingly strong anima or female complex. ^[2] This term can be pejorative and it is important not to place a moral interpretation on whether it is desirable, only by whether it is adaptive or maladaptive. Its opposite behavior is termed hypermasculinity .

Anorexia nervosa

Hypomasculinity is commonly attained by male anorexics. ^{[ dubious – discuss ]} The hypomasculinity includes a demasculinized physique and actual reduction or cessation of sexual functioning as a result of deliberate malnutrition. ^{[3] [ better source needed ]}

Social Construction and Context

Hypomasculinity can be understood in relation to a broader gender construct presented by R. W. Connell and James Messerschmidt . Within their theoretical framework for masculinity studies, hegemonic masculinity represents the culturally dominant idea of "manhood". Other ideas like subordinated, marginalized, hypomasculinity, or non-hegemonic masculinities are described in contrast to it. These non-hegemonic categories are described with similar traits or behaviors that do not conform to dominant masculine norms (hegenomic masculinity). Masculinities are explained to be socially constructed and context dependent , meaning hypomasculinity varies across culture, society, and historical settings. Hypomasculinity is defined by social experiences that are labeled as "less masculine". [4]

See also

• Gender role
• Hypermasculinity
• Machismo
• Masculinity
• Virility

References

1. Palmer, Jamie L. (2018-10-01). "Ineffective Masculinity: Intersection of Masculinity and Nationhood in Portraits of Cuban Men from Time and Newsweek 1959–2010". Men and Masculinities. 21 (4): 455–478. doi:10.1177/1097184X17696184. ISSN   1097-184X. S2CID   149424644.
2. Relke, Joan (2007-05-30). "The Archetypal Female in Mythology and Religion: The Anima and the Mother of the Earth and Sky". Europe's Journal of Psychology. 3 (2). doi: 10.5964/ejop.v3i2.401 . ISSN   1841-0413.
3. Bassett, J. D. (2002). "Gender conflict, object representation, and body image in male anorexia: An investigation of eight subjects". Smith College Studies in Social Work. 72 (3): 359. doi:10.1080/00377310209517665. S2CID   145605275.
4. Connell, R.W.; Messerschmidt, James W. (December 2005). "Hegemonic Masculinity: Rethinking the Concept" (PDF). Gender & Society. 19 (6): 830–853 – via JSTOR.