Opinion It’s the age of the performative male, and we are all living in it

A new archetype of masculinity is sparking satirical contests on campus and debate online – what virtues are authentic and what are not

In her essay “Performative Acts and Gender Constitution”, Judith Butler says that "performativity" in gender is shown through repeated behaviours in which the idea of gender becomes an act (Source: Shutterstock)

Anusree K C

September 12, 2025 06:43 PM IST First published on: Sep 12, 2025 at 06:43 PM IST

Around 500 students gathered earlier this September at Yale’s Women’s Table for a very unusual contest. Male contestants handed out pads, flaunted their tote bags and recited feminist theory. The purpose? To win the title of “most performative male”.
Similar events have now been popping up at universities across the US, and it has slowly started to trickle down to India in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Bangalore. Recently, Baith Club organised a Performative Male contest at Delhi’s Safdarjung Market, where young men in their late teens and early twenties gathered together to put their satiric foot forward.

The term “performative male” has started gaining popularity online in the past few months, but the archetype has been in the making for a few years now, particularly among Gen Z in metropolitan cities and digital spaces. Dressed in wide-legged jeans and oversized t-shirt, a labubu doll hanging as a waist chain, his wired headphones on, the performative male sips on his cup of matcha, a trendy tote bag in hand. He is immersed either in a Jane Austen or Sally Rooney novel, listening to the music of Lana Del Ray or Clairo. The performative male is a man who talks about therapy, curates playlists of women artistes, and cultivates an image of emotional depth and understanding.

While gestures like these appear progressive, critics of the trend argue that they often become a way to gain a social advantage. In that sense, to be “performative” is to treat values or likings as a display or as a living aesthetic. Talking about “growth”, emotional vulnerability, or championing of feminism becomes less about belief and more about being desirable.

The rise of the performative male indicates larger cultural changes. Emotional vulnerability or openness and understanding of feminist traits are often seen as valuable knowledge in dating and social life, especially among millennials and Gen-Zs. On Instagram and dating platforms, these carefully curated identities become crucial currency. This is not something entirely new. Sensitivity has often been leveraged to impress or attract. What differentiates today’s version is the aesthetic that comes along with it.

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In her essay “Performative Acts and Gender Constitution”, Judith Butler says that “performativity” in gender is shown through repeated behaviours in which the idea of gender becomes an act. In the “performative male” phenomenon, progressive values are performed, therefore raising questions about their authenticity. Coming face-to-face with a performative male can be disconcerting. There is an unmistakable mismatch between the values that they speak of and the underlying intent. He may discuss feminist theory, spout feminist quotes, and come across as understanding, but underneath, he may turn out to be quite the opposite.

This tension is what contests like that in Yale put on display. These events highlight how the lines between sincerity and showmanship blur and deepen the scepticism over what and who is true in an already deeply curated world. Sometimes, a genuine person who is curious and eager to learn can be mistaken for a clout chaser. The phenomenon also undermines genuine male allies, making it difficult for men and women to judge someone’s commitment to progressive values. Whether online or on a campus stage, the question remains the same: Is this genuine progress, or just good optics?

anusree.k@expressindia.com