the "Emasculating Mother/Wife" trope doesn't get enough criticism because it hides itself behind said mother being abusive and we can agree an abusive mother is bad whether it's towards a daughter or a son (or a husband). But there's a layer to it where you feel like everyone low key thinks it's particularly bad that a woman would behave like that with a man because it's impacting and underwhelming the masculinity and in case of a child, mess with his masculinity forever. All other things equal, it's seen as more vicious and indicating of that woman's character. There's no version of "emasculating" a daughter or a wife, it's all regular cruelty and humiliation, if it attacks the gender it's jealousy against a daughter or possessiveness on a husband part. And it does annoy me because it does point a dormant misogyny that needs addressing but it's hard to address without everyone assuming you think abusive against sons are okay or that mothers can't be criticized.