Hypomasculinity
Absence of stereotypical male traits
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Hypomasculinity is a sociological and psychological term for the absence of stereotypical male 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.
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". [3]
See also
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