Effeminate or male femininity is the embodiment of feminine traits in boys or men, particularly those considered untypical of men or masculinity. It is also marked by an unbecoming delicacy or overrefinement. traits include roles, stereotypes, behaviors, and appearances that are socially associated with girls and women.

Effeminate: How the word is relevant even today

Recently Karan Johar said he failed his parents as a child: ‘I was effeminate, unlike other boys’; in an episode of ‘A Candid Conversation with Faye D’Souza’.

Johar’s story reflects a struggle many children face: the fear of disappointing their parents due to their identity or perceived shortcomings. So, what can be done to provide them with more support?

Common signs that a child is struggling with their identity and fearing parental rejection

Gurleen Baruah, occupational psychologist and executive coach at That Culture Thing reveals that there are no clear-cut signs like those found in medical sciences or even specific disorders. “Identifying struggles with identity and fears of parental rejection varies greatly depending on the child’s age and developmental stage. Kids aren’t fully developed adults; they’re growing and changing all the time.”

For example, if a usually cheerful toddler becomes clingy or fussy, it might mean they’re feeling insecure. This ties into developmental psychology, she states, where children in early stages need to feel safe and secure to explore their identity.

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