Unmanly

Unmanly is an adjective used to describe behavior, traits, or appearances perceived as not conforming to traditional standards of masculinity. In English, it has often functioned as a pejorative, signaling disapproval or ridicule of men who deviate from expected masculine norms. The term reflects normative judgments about gender performance and can reinforce social boundaries around what counts as appropriate male conduct.

Etymology and usage: The word is formed from un- plus manly and has appeared in English moralizing discourse since at least the 19th century. It has been applied to a wide range of attributes—from emotional expression and vulnerability to interests considered soft or nontraditional—and its force derives from cultural scripts that equate manliness with stoicism, physical toughness, and conventional authority.

Social impact: By labeling certain acts unmanly, the term has helped police male behavior, sometimes harming mental health by stigmatizing vulnerability or help-seeking. It has appeared in parenting, education, sports, and media to shame or deter men from deviating from expected roles. Critics argue that such policing narrows expression and sustains inequality by limiting how people can display emotion, nurture, or nontraditional interests.

Contemporary view: Many scholars and advocates seek to decouple masculinity from rigid stereotypes, promoting a broader range of masculine expressions and gender equality. Although still used in some contexts, the word's normative force has weakened in settings that value inclusive understandings of gender.

See also: masculinity, gender norms, toxic masculinity, gender expression, gender policing.