Gentlemen - What emasculates you?

[merithyn]

So, I've been trying to work out this whole "emasculation" thing. I obviously don't get it, and I never have. I'm not 100% sure that there's a way to defeminize a woman, so I don't think I ever will get it on my own. Ergo, I come to you guys.

I've heard the following can - and often does - emasculate a man:

• Earning less than his spouse
• Being too close to his mother
• Being too thin/fat
• Being out-drunk by a woman

What does it take for you to feel "emasculated"? CAN something make you feel less than a man?

[Valmy]

Huh. 

Not sure.  But I don't get too wrapped up in my gender-identity.  I am just here to do the best I can.

[The Brain]

• Having a cat

[garbon]

You said Seedy was submissive to all the women in his life.  How is that not emasculating?

[Eddie Teach]

• Getting beaten by a woman in arm wrestling
• Wearing clothes that match those your SO's wearing
• Watching The Real Housewives of ______

[Valmy]

• Watching The Real Housewives of ______

*shudder*

[crazy canuck]

So, I've been trying to work out this whole "emasculation" thing. I obviously don't get it, and I never have. I'm not 100% sure that there's a way to defeminize a woman, so I don't think I ever will get it on my own. Ergo, I come to you guys.

I've heard the following can - and often does - emasculate a man:

• Earning less than his spouse
• Being too close to his mother
• Being too thin/fat
• Being out-drunk by a woman

What does it take for you to feel "emasculated"? CAN something make you feel less than a man?

My observation is that males who speak of emasculation are pretty insecure.  It has also never made much sense to me.  Personally I really enjoyed the years my wife earned more than me - which was a substantial part of the time.  It would be great if her income increased to become greater than mine again.

[garbon]

• Watching The Real Housewives of ______

*shudder*

Once upon a time, I was forced to view several episodes of that a day. Pretty dreadful - especially as there is very little to no eye candy to zone out to.

[Viking]

So, I've been trying to work out this whole "emasculation" thing. I obviously don't get it, and I never have. I'm not 100% sure that there's a way to defeminize a woman,

Yes there is. Convincing someone that she is a bad mother.

What I said I wouldn't do in the circumcision thread; though, by saying why I would't do what I was sort of spilling the beans anyways.

so I don't think I ever will get it on my own. Ergo, I come to you guys.

I've heard the following can - and often does - emasculate a man:

• Earning less than his spouse
• Being too close to his mother
• Being too thin/fat
• Being out-drunk by a woman

What does it take for you to feel "emasculated"? CAN something make you feel less than a man?

It's the same as the converse with women. It's the feeling that one is not satisfactory as a man. It's not the earning less that is the issue it is the feeling of not be appreciated for the income that is given. It's about the mans self image and which parts of his self image he finds valuable and maintaining it.

I know this is the caveman in me talking, but nothing Cosmo ever writes about men is remotely true nor interesting.

[Malthus]

I'm pretty sure a box cutter could. 

[Drakken]

Watching Glee tends to have this effect on me, so much that it makes me feel nauseous. 

As for men being insecure, most if not all men are insecure. It's not because we aren't crybabies that we are robots, either. If we feel that our manhood is hurt, we'll suffer. But these usually happen when one man feels he is replacable, or because he feels he is not respected or considered up to the task.

Also, I can think of at least three ways to "defeminize" a woman - mostly by attacking her self-esteem or being a complete douchebag, though.

[Grey Fox]

Defemine you? Breast Cancer. Having a bigger Mustache than a man.

[FunkMonk]

I'm pretty sure a box cutter could. 

I was going to mention that but didn't want to be so crass.

[derspiess]

• Sitting in the passenger seat while a woman drives.  Men drive.  Women sit on the passenger side and touch up their makeup.  That's just the natural order of things.  Only exception here is if I'm drunk.
• Relinquishing the remote control.  This used to bother me more, but the wife likes watching TV a lot more than I do, so I threw in the towel.

[derspiess]

Watching Glee tends to have this effect on me, so much that it makes me feel nauseous. 

No shit.

Also, I can think of at least three ways to "defeminize" a woman - mostly by attacking her self-esteem or being a complete douchebag, though.

Unfortunately for a lot of women that is the best way to get them to like you.