# Why are men afraid of castration? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 14, 2003, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500 "2003-01-14T12:30:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dunmurry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d2c977/32.png) [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/1 "2003-01-14T12:30:55Z")
It appears to me that most men have a “castration complex”, where they are afraid of someone cutting off their testicles. They say things like “I’d rather die than lose a testicle”, and if threatened with castration would contemplate commiting suicide. Why do men value their testicles more than women value their ovaries? Why do men think that having no testicles is “the end of the world”? ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/2 "2003-01-14T12:36:15Z")
It’s probably an evolutionary advantage. Men who take care of their testicles tend to have more children than men who try to chop down trees with their groins. Also, testicles are extremely sensitive and a blow to them produces a sensation quite unlike any other, and most unpleasant. I’ve heard it described as pain, but to me, it’s not really pain. It’s totally different. Thus, from a young age boys learn to protect their testicles. Castration anxiety is just an extension. As for women, ovaries are much more intangible. You cannot lose your ovaries as easily as your testicles and they require no special protection. They’re just there. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/3 "2003-01-14T12:39:05Z")
For me it’s visceral: testicular pain is beyond anything else I can comprehend. There might also be some machismo thrown in there - loss of ability to reproduce, loss of the essence of manliness. Then there’s also the perception that you’ll lose interest in, and the ability to have, sex. However these days, this isn’t necessarily true: I know someone who underwent castration, and he has prostheses and hormone supplements, and enjoys a perfectly normal life, and has a steady girlfriend. ---
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/4 "2003-01-14T12:43:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dunmurry \* > \*\*Why do men value their testicles more than women value their ovaries? > Why do men think that having no testicles is “the end of the world”? \*\* Why do people make wild generalizations? It’s a machismo thing. ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/5 "2003-01-14T12:48:11Z")
I dunno about a “castration complex” but I don’t want anyone cutting off my apendages, if that’s what you’re getting at. How’d you like the idea of someone slicing off one of you’re breasts? Same principle. I don’t why it’s so shocking that men don’t want to have their balls cut off - do you know any men that wouldn’t mind this being done? It’s a preposterous question, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/6 "2003-01-14T12:49:25Z")
I think it’s a perfectly reasonable question. ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/7 "2003-01-14T12:52:41Z")
OK, I’ll try to answer the question more directly: 1. I’ll never be able to be naked in the gym again 2. I enjoy having sex 3. Hi, Opal! ---
**Author:** ![NoGoodNamesLeft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8797f3/32.png) [@NoGoodNamesLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoGoodNamesLeft)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/8 "2003-01-14T13:06:26Z")
IANADoctor, but I think there is also some level of bio-chemical involvement in testes as well. Without them men’s hormone levels go out of whack and set-up all sorts of other physical & phsycological problems. Ask yourself: Why does a dog become more docile after fixing? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/9 "2003-01-14T13:12:11Z")
Maybe you should ask an oncologist. I’d bet he or she could tell you stories about men who didn’t want to lose a testicle or women who didn’t want to lose a breast despite the fact that not to do so would result in almost certain death. Some people’s self-images rest heavily on physical characteristics and/or perceived sexual potency. ---
**Author:** ![odd-socks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c67d28/32.png) [@odd-socks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/odd-socks)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/10 "2003-01-14T13:24:46Z")
**Priceguy** > [@](#): > > As for women, ovaries are much more intangible. You cannot lose your ovaries as easily as your testicles and they require no special protection. They’re just there. Not sure I am reading what you meant to say correctly, so apologies if this is the case, but whilst ovaries “cannot be touched” in quite the same way that testicles can be, some would argue that the pain of having one poked is very real and probably similar to what men experience. I would also query the assumption that women cannot lose their ovaries “as easily” as men might their testicles - aside from any obvious impact injury - cycling falls and the like. I think I’d prefer to have testicles sometimes: you at least have the “bonus” of being able to see and feel any changes; the situation of the ovaries does not offer that same luxury. I am of course thinking primarily of ovarian cancer being the “silent killer” here. If men lose a testicle for whatever reason, personally, I cannot see it making them any less of a man. Likewise for women. It seems that advertising etc exerts pressure on people to fit “norms” - to have both breasts; to have all reproductive organs in tact; to be seen to be virile etc. and I would assume that it is \*this \* that is far more damaging than the actual loss of a body part. Just my opinion though. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/11 "2003-01-14T13:31:45Z")
> [@](#): > > perceived sexual potency. Or in this case actual sexual potency. I would say since it is sort of a external part that could be removed by even an amature without killing the person, coupled with the long term effects & the total loss of someones sex life is a big part of that. Add to that common lauguage usage of sayings like “i’ll cut your balls off” reinforces it. It’s in some respects worse then killing the man - ending (sexual)pleasure in his life. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/12 "2003-01-14T13:33:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by carodin \* > \*\*Priceguy > > Not sure I am reading what you meant to say correctly, so apologies if this is the case, but whilst ovaries “cannot be touched” in quite the same way that testicles can be, some would argue that the pain of having one poked is very real and probably similar to what men experience.\*\* But do young girls automatically connect this sensation with their ovaries? I think not. As painful as it may be, you don’t slam your body into something and go “Ow, my ovaries!” any more than you would take a blow to the throat and think “Ouch, my esophagus!”. Testicles are there and in your face. Not literally, of course. Usually. > [@](#): > > \*\*I would also query the assumption that women cannot lose their ovaries “as easily” as men might their testicles - aside from any obvious impact injury - cycling falls and the like. \*\* This I disagree with. I could be wrong, not being a doctor, but losing your testicles to a hard blow must be easier and more common than losing your ovaries to one. The rest of your post, regarding ovarian cancer and so on, is correct but not what I was yabbing about. ---
**Author:** ![odd-socks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c67d28/32.png) [@odd-socks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/odd-socks)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/13 "2003-01-14T13:45:58Z")
**Priceguy** > [@](#): > > But do young girls automatically connect this sensation with their ovaries? I think not. Agreed. You did not mention “young girls” initially though? > [@](#): > > As painful as it may be, you don’t slam your body into something and go “Ow, my ovaries!” any more than you would take a blow to the throat and think “Ouch, my esophagus!”. … heh, again agreed, which is _why_ I said: “_aside_ from any obvious impact injury.” Impact injuries for women resulting in the damage to, or loss of ovaries might include being kicked, punched, beaten - it may not be as common as impact injuries for men, but it does happen. > [@](#): > > Testicles are there and in your face. Not literally, of course. heh. I didn’t recall saying they were not, literally or otherwise? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/14 "2003-01-14T13:52:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by k2dave \* > **Or in this case actual sexual potency.** Only if you lose both. If you only lose one, the other one still keeps chugging out the little white dudes, and sperm count remains normal. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/15 "2003-01-14T13:56:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by carodin \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > But do young girls automatically connect this sensation with their ovaries? I think not. > > Agreed. You did not mention “young girls” initially though?\*\* I did mention young boys. My point was that part of the reason men are so careful with their testicles is that as young boys they learn that if they’re not, it hurts. Badly. Young girls don’t have that experience regarding their ovaries. > [@](#): > > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > As painful as it may be, you don’t slam your body into something and go “Ow, my ovaries!” any more than you would take a blow to the throat and think “Ouch, my esophagus!”. … > > heh, again agreed, which is _why_ I said: “_aside_ from any obvious impact injury.” > > Impact injuries for women resulting in the damage to, or loss of ovaries might include being kicked, punched, beaten - it may not be as common as impact injuries for men, but it does happen. \*\* Look, I’m not saying women don’t lose their ovaries to physical abuse. I’m just trying to answer the original poster’s question “Why do men value their testicles more than women value their ovaries?” ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/16 "2003-01-14T15:01:44Z")
\>\> It appears to me that most men have a “castration complex”, where they are afraid of someone cutting off their testicles. Is that so? You run into many men who, when asked what they were thinking about, say “I am afraid of someone cutting off my testicles”? If most men are like that then I am not normal because I do not think I have ever been afraid or considered te possibility that someone might want to cut off my testicles. Why would someone want my testicles? ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/17 "2003-01-14T15:17:29Z")
Here’s what "castration complex really means (at least from a Freudian psychanalytical approach): [http://www.sla.purdue.edu/academic/engl/theory/psychoanalysis/definitions/castration.html](http://www.sla.purdue.edu/academic/engl/theory/psychoanalysis/definitions/castration.html) It has nothing to do with how much testicles vs. ovaries. ---
**Author:** ![mazzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@mazzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazzer)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/18 "2003-01-14T16:13:14Z")
```auto / \ / \ \ _______ / ``` Hey girls, if you had something like that dangling off your body, you’d be in the habit both of protecting it and of having horrific visions of something happening to it. It’s mere shape and vulnerability lends itself to be “mothered,” so to speak. No jokes about my scrotal shape, please. ---
**Author:** ![odd-socks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c67d28/32.png) [@odd-socks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/odd-socks)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/19 "2003-01-14T16:38:50Z")
For **Priceguy:** > [@](#): > > Look, I’m not saying women don’t lose their ovaries to physical abuse. I’m just trying to answer the original poster’s question \*“Why do men value their testicles more than women value their ovaries?” \* \* [italics mine] Fair enough. However, in relation to \* I am merely trying to do the same, and in answering the OP’s question, suggesting that the value women place on their ovaries _is the same as_ the value men place on their reproductive organs. As I said above, it’s just my opinion. To **plnr:** > [@](#): > > “It has nothing to do with how much testicles vs. ovaries.” I never said it did. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500/20 "2003-01-14T17:11:40Z")
NO, you didn’t. The OP did. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-afraid-of-castration/148500.md?page=2)