An irrational fear or intense dislike of women or feminine things.
From Greek 'gyne' (woman) + 'phobos' (fear). This clinical term combines the standard root for woman with the suffix for pathological fear (as in phobia).
Gynephobia appears in psychiatric literature but is rare as a diagnosed condition—what's more common is androphobia (fear of men), suggesting that widespread gynephobia might be more about cultural misogyny than individual psychological disorders.
Fear of women encoded linguistically; historically pathologized women's autonomy and sexuality as inherently threatening, justifying control. Reflects male anxiety about loss of monopoly on power.
Use clinically for actual phobia only. Acknowledge that historical 'gynephobia' was normalized misogyny, not a legitimate fear response.
["misogyny","anti-woman bias","women's autonomy anxiety"]
Feminist psychology has reframed this: women's power is not a threat to manage but a fundamental right to celebrate and support.
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