The Confusion of Identities in Fashion: Masculinization of Women and Feminization of Men

In times of moral and spiritual confusion, one of the most disturbing phenomena is the distortion of male and female identities, manifesting alarmingly in fashion. The masculinization of women’s fashion and the feminization of men’s fashion are not mere passing trends but symptoms of a deeper crisis that affects the very identity of the human being, created in the image and likeness of God. This article explores how these trends are subverting the divine order, creating a dangerous confusion of identities that threatens the stability of the family, society, and even the salvation of souls.

I. The Root of the Problem: Confusion of Identities and Loss of Nature

The Blessed Virgin Mary, in her apparitions at Fatima, warned of the dangers that would befall humanity if it did not repent. In 1917, the Virgin declared that “certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much.” Although she did not specify in detail, subsequent events and the progressive adoption of fashions contrary to Christian decency have led to the current confusion of male and female identities, confirming the seriousness of her warning. This confusion is not merely a cultural problem but a direct attack on the order established by God, whereby men and women were created with complementary natures, reflected in their appearance and behavior.

Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, with his characteristic moral clarity, reminds us that “God created man and woman with distinct and complementary roles, and this distinction must be reflected in all aspects of life, including clothing.” Fashion, by confusing these essential differences, not only offends morality but also undermines the very design of God for humanity.

II. Masculinization of Women’s Fashion: Subversion of Female Identity

Cardinal Giuseppe Siri, in his influential 1960 pastoral letter, warned about the masculinization of women’s fashion. “The attempt to make women dress like men, with pants, jackets, and ties, is not a simple fashion trend, but a subversion of the natural order that God established between the sexes,” he wrote. Siri explained that “when women adopt masculine clothing, they are sending a message of rejection of their femininity, which inevitably leads to moral and spiritual disorder.”

Mons. Antônio de Castro Mayer, in his 1970 pastoral letter, emphasized that “the woman who dresses like a man is rejecting her natural role as wife and mother. This masculine fashion has led to a masculinization of the feminine spirit, which not only affects her own dignity but also destabilizes the family structure by confusing what are now called the so-called gender roles.” According to Castro Mayer, this subversion of femininity is one of the factors contributing to the deterioration of the family and, consequently, of society as a whole.

III. Feminization of Men’s Fashion: The Erosion of Virility

While women adopt masculine fashions, men have begun to incorporate elements that feminize their appearance, weakening their masculine identity. Cardinal Siri denounced this trend as an “attack on virility itself, designed to weaken man and make him more susceptible to the corrupting influences of the world.” According to Siri, “when men begin to dress in ways that soften their masculinity, they are participating in a process of self-degradation that distances them from their natural calling to be protectors and leaders within the family and society.”

Pope Pius XII, in his encyclical Sacra Virginitas, also addressed this issue, warning that “the feminization of men is not only an offense to the dignity that God granted them but also undermines their ability to fulfill their role as head of the family and defender of the faith.” Pius XII made an urgent call for men to “regain their dignity and reject the fashions that seek to weaken their virility and confuse their identity.”

IV. The Confusion of Identities: A Crisis with Eternal Consequences

The Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima indicated that the moral crisis humanity would face was due to a lack of penance and conversion. The adoption of fashions that confuse male and female identities is a clear example of this deviation from divine law. When fashion is used to erase the differences between the sexes, it undermines the very structure of the family, which is the basic cell of society.

Mons. Antônio de Castro Mayer observed that “when what are now called the so-called gender roles are subverted, the family is gravely affected. Children, seeing their parents adopting roles that do not belong to them, become confused and disoriented, leading to a deterioration in their moral and spiritual education.” This disorder is not simply a social problem but a sin against the natural and divine order.

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, known for his strict adherence to traditional morality, insisted that “purity and modesty are not optional, but essential for those who wish to live in God’s grace.” Confusion in dress, according to Padre Pio, is a reflection of confusion in the soul, and when a man or woman renounces their God-given identity, they are walking a path that leads them away from holiness and toward sin.

V. A Call to Resistance and the Restoration of Divine Order

In her message to pastors, the Virgin of Fatima urged humanity to repent and do penance to avoid the punishments that would come as a consequence of their sins. The subversion of male and female identities in fashion is one of those sins that cry out to Heaven for justice. If the faithful do not resist these trends and restore dignity and modesty in dress, the consequences will be disastrous not only for society but also for the salvation of souls.

Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori reminds us: “You cannot serve two masters; either you serve God with purity of heart, reflected in the modesty of your attire, or you serve the world and its vanities, risking your eternal salvation.” Modesty is not a luxury but a necessity for those who wish to reach Heaven. In a world that has lost its way, modesty is a beacon that guides us back to God.

Mater Divina Gratiae, ora pro nobis.

This article seeks to inspire all Catholics to take seriously the issue of fashion and modesty, not as a mere matter of style but as a reflection of inner virtue and a commitment to divine order. The restoration of male and female identities according to God’s law is essential for the salvation of souls and the rebuilding of a truly Christian society.

OMO