Fanboy vs Fangirl

[dreamer_easy]

Rather than bombard you with further postings, I'm ETAing further info on the broad differences between the "fanboy" and "fangirl" streams of fandom into a "data points" posting.

But I also wanted to sketch a quick schematic of the debate:

• Do men and women typically communicate differently? If so, how?

• Do men and women typically communicate online differently? If so, how?

• Do men and women in fandom typically have different interests and activities? If so, what are those general differences?

• How do the above things relate to each other?

And on a personal note:

• How do they relate to my own experience of fandom online and offline, and my online communication style?

Some people have objected to what they perceived as my pigeonholing of male and female fans. I hope I've clarified that my intention is to complicate fannish "gender", not to dictate it. As a woman in a fandom which was dominated by men for decades, who's aware that she operates in both "male" and "female", "fanboy" and "fangirl" modes, I may be in a good position to do that.

A number of people have objected to the idea that men and women, and fanboys and fangirls, talk or act in different ways at all. Alternatively, they acknowledge that there's some truth to this, but seem to be saying that we shouldn't mention it. Since academics and feminists (and academic feminists) have been studying and discussing these broad differences for decades, I think it's a mistake to deny them. There may even be a slight parallel with the common error of saying, "I don't see race". Surely it's a feminist's job to "see" gender?

Comments

[outsdr.livejournal.com]

All right, woman, when are you going to take all of your observations, your studies, your research, your experience ... and do something with it? Do you see what kind of non-fiction book you're working on here, if not a doctoral thesis? Hmmm?

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

I lack the qualifications to do a proper book, but I am getting an essay out of it.

[outsdr.livejournal.com]

I think you could easily get a book of essays out of it with the amount of work and research you've already done. :D

[antikythera.livejournal.com]

I have no doubt that they do communicate differently, and I think your final paragraph is an excellent disclaimer for the start of any such conversation... most people, including myself, still lash out instinctively when anyone says "men are this and women are that" because exclusion and stereotyping are the only context they have for it.

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

Evidently, yah! Got blindsided by that.