mama's boys

Overly attached sons

Mama's boys is the plural of mama's boy—a man or boy perceived as overly attached to or dependent on his mother.

The term is usually disparaging, suggesting immaturity or an inability to function independently: His ex-wife said he was a mama's boy who couldn't make a decision without calling home first.

The possessive sometimes appears without the apostrophe.

Related

spoiled rotten · emasculation · arrested development · attachment · stigma · Peter Pan syndrome · gender roles · helicopter parenting · caregiving roles · family dynamics · overprotection · self-esteem issues · tuck · comfort · enmeshment · silver cord · cut the cord · identity formation

Opposites
independence and self-reliance

mama's boysself-made men

Those who achieved success independently

lone wolves · bootstrappers · free agents · self-starters · go-getters

masculine gender expression

mama's boystough guys

Intimidating, resilient individuals

macho men · alpha males · men's men · he-men · cowboys

parental attachment style

mama's boysblack sheep

Disreputable family member

prodigal sons · runaways · loners · orphans · latchkey kids

Family

mama, boy, mamas, boys, mommy, mamma, mammal, mammary, boyish

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G