“Breastfeeding men”, a new masculine ideal. divisive phenomenon

Rest assured, this is not an experimental scientific study gone wrong. The term “sucking men” (“Gnawing men” in English) is nothing more than another “trendy” phrase born on social networks and used to describe a new viral phenomenon; Internet users, particularly Gen Z, are obsessed with these masculine “atypicals” who exhibit their unusual attractiveness. So much so that videos on this topic are racking up millions of “views” on TikTok, and many Anglo-Saxon media outlets are promoting these people to novelty status.sex symbols“. Among the most famous faces who return to embody this look, we meet the faces of actors on the rise in Hollywood, such as the American Jeremy Allen White (hero of the series. The bear), Irishman Barry Keogan (revealed in the film Salt burn on Prime), or Franco-American Timothée Chalamet.

“Man Stewart Babies”

According to our colleagues across the Atlantic, it all started with a movie Challengers by Luca Guadagnino, which was released in cinemas last April, and in particular its main actors. “The Internet has decided that Mike Feist and John O’Connor are like the (sexy?) human versions of Stewart Little,” says the reporter. New York Times Alex Vadukul.

In another British fashion magazine article Stunned Published last May, journalist Serena Smith explains that “pretty rodent men are generally leaner than muscular, with more squat and angular features” and that they have something “slightly odd” that makes them “sexy and fun.” in contrast to this type. on masculinity with a “golden retriever friend”. And first of all, he notes: “They’re often not conventionally beautiful, but that only makes them sexier.”

“Reductive” remarks

But this last sentence raised some people’s eyebrows. Indeed, even if journalist Serena Smith confirms that “being a beautiful rodent is not an insult;“, the derogatory and caricatural nature of this description has caused a lot of controversy on social media. When actresses unwittingly come down on their perceived “sexy” body rather than their performance, actors see themselves as sexist models due to their “unfavorable” features…and that doesn’t sit well with the public. Some on “X” think the “male rodent label is problematic,” explaining that it’s inappropriate to “reduce male rodents at the peak of their careers,” while others lament that it’s “in a good way.” for calling these people ugly.’

The surprise is obvious. “Sucking men. Can you be more offensive and deaf? There is nothing wrong with the features described, being thin or anything like that, which they think they associate with the characteristics of mice (in relation to rats or mice, Editor’s note), one of the Internet users complained. “Men who look like mice or rats. The men they describe are all beautiful and I understand what attracts people, but what a disgusting description,” adds another. “You look like a hard-to-feed pig, but don’t worry. It’s trendy, it’s sexy,” quips someone. Others noted the sexist or even racist nature of these remarks. “Stop using the term sex-biting men. We would be offended if we equated feminine beauty with vermin,” “I can’t believe how these rodent men have exploded. This is so stupid and white-centric,” we can also read from outraged X users.

An archetype considered “anti-Semitic”

Beyond the purely aesthetic dimension of stigmatization, many netizens also criticize the “anti-Semitic” tendency towards this archetype. “I don’t appreciate how comfortable people are saying that Josh O’Connor and Timothee Chalamet are ‘rodent men’ when they’re both Jewish and describing Jews as rats is a well-known anti-Semitic slur. I realize that’s not what most of you meant, but it’s a slippery slope.” “We need to stop this men-biting business because you keep making examples of Jewish men in particular, and I don’t have to explain how what does that mean?’ In particular, we read in the publications on the platform.

“Sense of Safety” and “AI Rejection”

So, controversy aside, why are these rodent men suddenly gaining attention at this precise moment in history? “There’s something about the fact that these aren’t male stereotypes that can make women feel safe,” says journalist Gina Cherelus. New York Times in the same article above, framed as a discussion on the subject.

Along with his colleague Stella Bugby, they both put forward another theory regarding the rejection of AI and the misuse of editing apps in recent years. “If we are offered false perfection, we will strive for human imperfection. We want to know that the people we find sexual have blood in their veins and are the product of two people combining their genes. We want to see the vulnerability of an asymmetrical face,” suggests Gina Cherelus. Mickey Mouse and Speedy Gonzalez better watch out!