Emasculation

A painting of Zeus emasculating Cronus, c. 1501

Emasculation is the removal of the external male sex organs, which includes both the penis and the scrotum, the latter of which contains the testicles. It is distinct from castration, where only the testicles are removed. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, the potential medical consequences of emasculation are more extensive due to the complications arising from the removal of the penis.[1] There are a range of religious, cultural, punitive, and personal reasons why someone may choose to emasculate themselves or another person.

The term emasculation may be used in a metaphorical sense, referring to the perceived loss of attributes traditionally associated with masculinity, such as strength, power, or autonomy.

  1. ^ Chiang 2012, p. 33; Hoeckelmann 2019, p. 4.