Gay men often grapple with perfectionism, navigating societal expectations and internalized standards that can intensify the pursuit of an idealized self-image. Known as the Best Little Boy in the World archetype, some gay men overcompensate in certain aspects of their lives, such as their career, appearance, and other achievements, to deflect negative attention away from their sexuality.In this episode, we’re diving into the origins of the Best Little Boy in the World persona, examining research on how sexual minority men link self-worth more closely to achievement-related domains compared to their straight counterparts, and discussing how we can grow up beyond this archetype by overcoming our internalized homophobia.Related Episodes:Listen to Episode 01. Hello, Trauma. It's Me, Rob‪.‬Listen to Episode 13. Perfectly Imperfect: Conquer Your PerfectionismListen to Episode 85. Boundaries: How to Understand and Set ThemListen to Episode 94. Girl, Please: Say No to People-PleasingAdditional Resources:The Best Little Boy in the World by Andrew TobiasThe Best Little Boy in the World Grows UpThe Social Development of Contingent Self-Worth in Sexual Minority Young Men: An Empirical Investigation of the “Best Little Boy in the World” HypothesisStudy: Being in the Closet Drives You to Be More Successful, More AwfulThe Best Little Boy in the World — That's MeQueer Like PeteWhy Do Young Gay Men Try to Be the Best?Good Little Boy SyndromeThe Best Little Boy in the WorldSuperegoBest Little Boy In The World30 Ways to Deal with Internalized Homophobia for LGBTQ PeopleBe Kind toSupport the Show.Get Your Merch