Sissy (derived from sister; also sissy baby, sissy boy, etc.) is a pejorative term for a boy or man who violates or does not meet the traditional male gender role. Generally, sissy implies a lack of the courage and stoicism which are thought important to the male role. A man might also be considered a sissy for being interested in traditionally feminine hobbies or employment (for example going to meditation sessions, cooking, etc..), for displaying effeminate behavior (for example, saying "mua mua" before hanging up the phone or using creams -especially in the office), for being unathletic, or for being homosexual.
Sissy is, approximately, the male converse of tomboy (a girl with "unfeminine" traits or interests), but has none of the latter's positive connotations. Even amongst gay men, behavior thought of as sissy or camp produces mixed reactions. Some men reclaim the term for themselves. (See also genderqueer.)
The term sissyphobia denotes a prevailing negative cultural reaction against "sissy boys".[1] Sissyphobia has more recently been used in some queer studies;[2] other authors in this latter area have proposed effeminiphobia as an alternative term.[3]
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Sissy (or sis) can also be a relationship nickname formed from sister, given to girls to indicate their role in the family, especially the oldest female sibling. It can also be applied to girls as a term of affection from friends who are not family members. See Sissy Spacek.
Gregory M. Herek wrote that sissyphobia arises as combination of misogyny and homophobia.[4]
Sissy takes on more specific meanings in the transgender but is not considered transgender by many transgendered people, infantilist,[5] and BDSM communities (especially through forced feminization or petticoating practices).[6]
In the BDSM practice of forced feminization, the male bottom undergoing cross-dressing may be called a sissy as a form of erotic humiliation, which may elicit guilt or sexual arousal, or possibly both, depending on the individual.[6]
In (paraphilic) infantilism, a sissy baby is a man who likes to play the role of a baby girl.[5]