Matcha, Clairo, tote bags, and unplugged wireless headphones; this is what society has labeled as the so-called “performative male.” The question remains, what does that really mean? 

In recent pop culture, the term “performative male,” or on a broader spectrum, “performative interests,” has gained a lot of attention. In social media over the past couple years, starting in late 2023, this term has appeared closely throughout our society. In short, the term refers to people who pretend to like certain things for the purpose of gaining attention. It sparked a skepticism in society with people constantly questioning the genuinity of mainstream hobbies. Objectively, the reference of performative interests doesn’t have to be negative. Unfortunately, people have taken the term and turned it around with negative connotations. 

People have begun associating this term and targeting it towards men. The term “performative male” has been used to refer to men who seem only interested in feminist literature, matcha drinks and otherwise more stereotypically “feminine” interests, for the purpose of attracting women. While the phrase is often thrown around as a joke, it may come from genuine judgement. The term has slowly become something more than a harmless social media “trend.” 

Sophomore Olivia Baldwin comments, “At least in high school, most men don’t want to be seen as performative.”

 Men in our generation today may start to become less confident in their interests, especially genuine ones, because of the term’s negative stigma put onto it. If the term wasn’t perceived in such a cynical light, it would allow people, not just males, to be more open about their interests even if they come off to the public as “performative.” 

In a positive light, the term “performative interests” has also had the opposite effect on people. In some cases, the term has not stopped people from pursuing what they love, it’s pushed them further toward it. The negative connotations that come with the term has caused people to worry about whether they are being authentic, or if their interests are even their own. However, whether or not one starts liking something for the purpose of someone else or not, it doesn’t combat the fact that you can still fall in love with a hobby despite the initial reason. 

Sophomore Devin Ekstrom-Goins started playing volleyball to talk to someone else, but he says that after that interest was long gone, “I play volleyball now… I was on the team last year.” Devin has been called a “performative male” for his interests, such as volleyball, but it hasn’t stopped him from pursuing what he loves.

This term society has come up with, the stereotype created has been followed by a large stigma; on one hand, it may be viewed as a patronization, on the other, it’s important to remember where those ‘performative interests’ came from; passion. Coming off as ‘performative’ stops people from pursuing their hobbies, which makes being open more necessary than ever. Drink that matcha, listen to Laufey, and don’t stop being authentically you.