Fangirls vs. fans: Deconstructing the double standard in fandom

Originally Posted on The Georgetonian on September 26th, 2025

The word “fangirl” has become an insult. It suggests immaturity, irrationality, and hysteria; it conjures the image of screaming teenage girls clutching posters of their favorite pop star. In contrast, when men display similar passion as sports “fans,” they’re seen as loyal, dedicated, and even culturally celebrated.

This double standard says more about society’s bias than it does about fan behavior. Women who devote themselves to music are often belittled, while men who devote themselves to sports are respected. Both groups display passion, community, and identity, yet only one is dismissed as childish. 

Consider, for example, fans of Harry Styles or Taylor Swift. Fans who camp out for concert tickets, memorize lyrics, and collect merchandise are mocked for their “obsession.” Meanwhile, men who paint their faces in team colors, wear jerseys, and fill their basements with signed memorabilia are considered true fans, not obsessive. 

The difference lies in gendered assumptions. Music fandom, especially when centered on boy bands like One Direction or pop stars like Taylor Swift, is feminized. Because women and girls make up most of these fanbases, their devotion is deemed silly or shallow. Sports fandom, more closely tied to masculinity, is treated as culturally important.

It’s important to note that this constructed dichotomy speaks volumes about the differentiation between gender norms. Almost anything that correlates with masculinity is revered, while more “feminine” endeavors are often considered frivolous. This differentiation deters both men and women from enjoying very normal things outside of their assigned “normal” interests.

For example, many men will often refuse to admit that they enjoy music coming from a popular artist. They might even belittle and criticize the fans of major pop stars without ever truly listening to the music.

Likewise, women are often encouraged to learn about sports to “attract”  male attention, but they are rarely encouraged to participate in or watch sports for their own entertainment. The association between sports and male attention might even discourage women from becoming sports fans.

Needless to say, this double standard in fandom is a clear case of undervaluing what young women love. Society has a long history of mocking girls and women for their tastes, whether it’s the Beatles in the 1960s, the Backstreet Boys in the 1990s, or BTS today. Yet these same groups, fueled by young women’s devotion, often go on to reshape culture and music history. 

Men’s fandoms geared towards sports rarely come under the same scrutiny. No one calls it “immature” when a grown man cries over his team losing the Super Bowl. No one laughs when men spend thousands of dollars on season tickets, sports trading cards, or replica jerseys. 

If we compare both groups, aren’t sports fans just as “irrational” as fangirls? After all, no one has control over whether their team wins or loses, yet people invest money, time, and emotional energy in the outcome. But society frames commitment to a team as honoring tradition, loyalty, and even identity, instead of hysteria.

Some sports fans have taken their devotion to frightening extremes. After major losses, riots have erupted in cities, cars have been flipped, and property has been destroyed, all in the name of a team. These violent outbursts make it clear that sports fandom is not always the “rational” or “mature” passion it’s often portrayed to be.

This isn’t to say men’s passion for sports is wrong: it isn’t. The problem is the unequal judgment. We recognize the value of community and identity in male-dominated fandoms, but deny it to women who feel those same things through music. 

Consider the emotional release fans receive from concerts. Screaming lyrics with thousands of other fans can be just as bonding as watching a game-packed stadium. Both environments create a sense of belonging, catharsis, and shared identity. Yet only one fandom is mocked as a phase.

Merchandise further reveals the hypocrisy. A shelf lined with Funko Pops or Taylor Swift vinyls is considered childish or excessive. A wall filled with framed jerseys or signed baseballs is considered a respectable collection. The only difference is who’s doing the collecting. 

When girls gather, scream, and express themselves openly, it threatens gender and societal norms that expect women to be quiet and composed. Labeling these women as “crazy fangirls” is a way of controlling broken gender norms and dismissing their significance. 

By contrast, men’s passion for sports reinforces traditional masculinity. Loud cheers, competition, and physicality are traits already valued in men, so their fandom fits neatly into gender expectations. This is why sports fans are celebrated instead of mocked. 

Breaking this double standard matters because fandom is more than entertainment — it’s identity. Whether it’s wearing a jersey or singing in a concert crowd, these acts bring people joy, community, and a sense of belonging. No one should be ashamed of that. 

If we can celebrate the man who cries over his team’s loss, we should also celebrate the woman who screams at a concert. Both are expressing love, passion, and human connection. Both deserve respect. 

At the end of the day, fandom, whether about sports or music, is about devotion. It gives people something to root for, something to believe in, and something to feel deeply about. That, no matter the form, is worth honoring.