This might become interesting...
Patti, the quotation marks were to indicate the word as used as an extremely negative and stereotypical description of an effeminate male, by a society which has historically viewed effeminate men with great disdain, as you are aware I am certain, just as I am aware of its other connotations especially for members of this board. I used the word wishing only to reinforce the concept of negative hateful stereotypes held by society at large, within the context of this discussion since those stereotypical attitudes and descriptives are so much to do with what drives people into closeted secret lives full of pain. Brutish attitudes may, no often are, responsible as well for preventing an honest appraisal of psychological relationships with parents...especially mothers.
If one begins to question a bio male about mothers, well...we are digging into some pretty deep and murky, primordial material, with layers of obfuscation created to avoid dealing with truths. Many people, as was mentioned recently I believe in a thread by Clara, will adopt "over the top" stereotypical male attributes in order to avoid being seen as weak or, horror of horrors, possibly gay. (Pardon my sarcasm) This is such a common phenomenon that the behavior has become a staple of comedy routines. And, it is the same, I would think, for boys in terms of discussing their mothers. I am hoping, I suppose to gain insights into my own past, but also to suggest an opportunity for others to do the same. I would suggest this topic is not for the feint of heart nor for those who are afraid to peek truthfully into what motivates them.
And, quite right, Patti, not everyone does or did, love their mother, not by a long shot. But that, my dear, is often where the rubber meets the road.