The fear of women is called gynophobia. It's classified as a specific phobia, a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, activity, or, in this case, a group of people (women). Gynophobia is distinct from misogyny, which is hatred or prejudice towards women. While both involve negative feelings toward women, gynophobia is rooted in fear, whereas misogyny is rooted in disdain and bias.
Several sources define gynophobia as a morbid and irrational fear of women. This fear can manifest in various ways and significantly impact a person's life. It's important to note that the historical understanding of gynophobia sometimes included the fear of being emasculated by women; however, the current clinical definition focuses solely on the fear itself.
- Medicalnewstoday.com defines Gynophobia as "the fear of women. It is a specific phobia, which is a type of anxiety disorder."
- Verywellmind.com describes Gynophobia as "an intense and irrational fear of women. It's more than just being afraid to approach women in romantic contexts."
- Wikipedia states that Gynophobia "is a morbid and irrational fear of women, a type of specific social phobia."
- Healthline.com notes that historians viewed the term as defining "the fear men experience of being humiliated by women, namely by emasculation," but the current understanding focuses on the fear itself.
This fear can manifest in various ways and significantly impact daily life. For example, someone with gynophobia might avoid situations where they are likely to encounter women, experience significant anxiety when they do, or have panic attacks in such situations.
