Imagine this: thousands of screaming fans await the gate opening into the stadium. They stand there dressed to the nines in variegated clothes, with paint strategically placed all over their faces as they anticipate their idols to appear before their very eyes.
How did you imagine those fans? Did you picture them as obsessive fangirls or passionate sports fans?
Would your perspective change depending on which was the main focus?
If we’re being honest here, yes, it probably would. Even though the essences of these groups hold stark similarities, our culture tends to perceive fangirls as embarrassing and manic.
Merriam-Webster defines “fangirl” as “a girl or woman who is an extremely or overly enthusiastic fan of someone or something.” In comparison, the same dictionary describes a “sports fan” as “an ardent admirer or enthusiast of a sport, usually as a spectator.”
The basis of these differences in perception of one another lies solely within the lane of sexism. Since passionate fans of popular musical artists are often associated with femininity, they are cast as psychotic and subordinate. On the other hand, sports fanatics are often associated with masculinity, so they are seen as admirable and praiseworthy.
The rise of fangirls occurred in the 1960s, causing a major cultural revolution. The Beatles brought forth the phenomenon known as Beatlemania, an unprecedented fan frenzy that reached unrivaled scales. During this time, young women around the globe were allured by the band’s charm, music, and style. These fangirls set the blueprint for generations to come, illustrating the influence that a dedicated fan base can attain.
Since then, fangirls have remained relevant, with boy bands and pop stars such as One Direction and Taylor Swift making their mark on the world. These screaming fans would wait outside hotel rooms, get tattoos referencing lyrics, and even hack into hotel security to gain footage of those they so admire. Along with many other instances, these emergences welcomed the stereotype of hysterical, psychotic teenage girls who become overly emotional when it comes to their favorite celebrities.
Sports fans, however, have always held respect in our society, especially with annual events such as the Super Bowl, March Madness, and the World Series. For this group, which is majority male, common reactions to wins and losses sometimes trail along the lines of rioting and looting. For example, when the Philadelphia Eagles lost the Super Bowl in 2023, fans took to the streets, causing destruction, hurling profanities, and lighting fires for days on end. Another instance was when fans discarded garbage onto former Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox’s lawn after he played poorly in a game. Nevertheless sports fans are still labeled as “passionate,” hardly ever receiving the same treatment as fangirls.
Both of these parties participate in the same activities: screaming for their favorites, longing to receive signed autographs, and taking some matters a little too seriously. So why do fangirls often receive ridicule?
An argument that often resurfaces is that these girls are wasting all their money on concert tickets; therefore, they are less responsible than sports fans. However, that is not exactly true. If the topic is wasting money, then both groups spend around the same amount.
In a recent study conducted by Lending Tree, it was found that one in four consumers will descend into credit card debt due to their spendings on football. Over 27% of these fans declare that they will spend up to $1000, excluding tickets and merchandise.
In comparison, compiled data on iPrice, Singapore’s largest site comparison site, found that the average K-Pop fan spends anywhere from $665 to $1,422 on albums, concert tickets, and merchandise.
These differences are strictly similar and show that fans of either interest are spending around the same amount of money.
The double standard between these two groups is frankly ludicrous. These differences are steered by one factor alone: misogyny, which inevitably leads to stereotypes around the deprecation of women. In everyday life, whether that is in work settings or classrooms, women are treated as if their interests are less significant. This has taught them to feel embarrassed about their likes in fear of judgment.
When someone mentions that Taylor Swift is not a good artist, I often find myself expressing that a big chunk of her music is actually quite good. Though if I were to mention that I own multiple items of her merchandise and hold a deep connection with her discography, my interests would no longer be treated as significant.
For sports fans, on the other hand, attaining season tickets, wearing merchandise, and never failing to watch a game is seen as admirable. They can enjoy their interests without worrying about the opinions of others.
It should be noted, however, that putting emphasis on these issues isn’t meant to push disrespect towards sports fans, but rather to promote equal treatment of all fans. Everyone should be able to enjoy the things they like without having to worry about the opinions of others.
