synthetically masculine 

initially appearing to have masculine traits such as knowing how to shave, change a car tire, change your oil, or hang a picture frame. To only be ousted as having synthetic masculinity due to a lack of real understanding of how to do these 'basic' tasks as a man. This often stems from someone's mother taking the role of a father figure instilling a level of synthetic masculinity resulting in a base level of confidence until confronted by someone with authentic masculinity.

Jack's mom taught him how to shave his face and shake hands.

On the surface, he appeared to be fine but beneath his fragile shell of masculinity, he knew that he was unable to live up to the standards of what it means to be a 'man' in modern society.

Without a masculine role model, he was raised to be synthetically masculine, resulting in deep fear of not being good enough to be called a man.

synthetically masculine by 喾凯 June 16, 2020