manchild

Manchild is a slang term used to describe an adult male who exhibits childlike or immature behavior, especially in ways that evade typical adult responsibilities such as steady employment, financial independence, or long-term commitments. The term is informal and not part of formal psychology; it is commonly used in media, pop culture, and online discourse to criticize behavior rather than to diagnose a condition.

It is a compound of "man" and "child" and has been in use since the late 20th century in English-language contexts. It is primarily directed at men in everyday conversation, online commentary, and journalism, though similar constructions exist for other genders.

Commonly cited behaviors include resistance to independence, reliance on others for support, impulsivity, an overemphasis on leisure activities such as gaming or partying, and difficulty sustaining long-term relationships or responsibilities. It is not a clinical diagnosis; it may reflect broader patterns such as extended adolescence, emotional regulation difficulties, or socioeconomic factors.

Related concepts include adultescence or extended adolescence, and Peter Pan syndrome, which describe similar ideas about delaying adulthood. The label has been criticized for stigmatizing and gendered implications, and for potentially obscuring underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, or disability. Some argue that it pathologizes normal variation in adult development or relationship dynamics.

In contemporary culture, the term appears in journalism, blogs, dating advice, and social media discussions about masculinity, maturity, and life strategy. It remains a colloquial descriptor rather than a scientific category.