Mother's boy
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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).
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.
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.
See also: list of sexual slurs
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.
Some Famous Mama's Boys
Lance Armstrong Burt Reynolds - supposedly self-described. Anakin Skywalker (fictional)
External links
- Why Women Don't Like Mama's Boys (http://www.askmen.com/dating/heidi_100/109c_dating_girl.html) by Elouise Houarno.
- The Great Separation (http://www.christoscenter.com/archives/manhood/toward_ch3.html) by Larry Pesavento.