A performative male refers to a social media archetype that emerged in 2025, describing a man who adopts traditionally feminine or trendy interests and mannerisms primarily to appeal to women superficially. Rather than genuine passion or authenticity, these men perform certain behaviors and styles—like reading feminist books, listening to indie female artists such as Clairo, drinking matcha, or using aesthetic accessories like Labubu keychains—to cultivate an image designed to attract female attention. This behavior is seen as a kind of "mating dance" where the performative male aims to appear alluring, non-threatening, and intelligent to women, but often lacks sincerity behind the performance. The performative male may use interests like astrology, therapy, vintage fashion, female authors, and skincare routines more as social currency than genuine engagement. Critics argue that this archetype can be manipulative, using vulnerability and emotional openness selectively to seem emotionally fluent while actually wielding these traits for control or validation. It is also described as a modern evolution of previous archetypes such as the "Sensitive New Age Guys" or hipsters. The term is sometimes used humorously but also serves as a critique of inauthentic expressions of masculinity encouraged in a social media-driven culture focused on appearances and attention. In short, a performative male is a man who performs femininity or progressive traits primarily for external approval, especially to attract women, rather than from genuine interest or identity. This can lead to tension and disillusionment when the performative aspects are revealed to be superficial or strategic rather than authentic. The phenomenon is reflective of broader social dynamics where self-image and social media performance heavily influence personal identity and relationships in the 2020s. This definition is supported by various sources including sociocultural commentary and fashion perspectives from 2025.
