Why Are Young Women Judged for Loving Pop Icons While Male Sports Obsession Is Celebrated?
Why is it considered embarrassing for young women to adore Taylor Swift, K-pop groups, or Harry Styles, while men's devotion to football, sports, or video games is treated as completely normal? The answer lies in a long-standing double standard around gender and fandom.
Football fans are often stereotypically men, while pop culture fan communities are commonly associated with teenage girls and young women. Despite some attitudes improving over time, sexism continues to shape how these groups are perceived. As someone who has been called "obsessive" simply for loving my favourite artists, I have experienced this bias firsthand.
When male football supporters shout, chant, cry, or even become aggressive during matches, their passion is often viewed as loyalty or dedication. Yet when women scream, cry, or queue overnight for concert tickets, they are labelled "hysterical," "immature," or "crazy." Male fans certainly exist within pop music fandoms, but it is overwhelmingly female enthusiasm that becomes the target of ridicule.
On social media, fangirls are frequently dismissed as "cringey" rather than celebrated for their commitment. It is rare to hear the word “dedicated” used to describe them in the same way it is for lifelong football supporters. So, not only does society discriminate against female fans, but it also completely devalues their passion.
This bias extends beyond fans themselves. Artists with predominantly female audiences are often taken less seriously, as though their success stems from their appearance rather than their talent. Yet the achievements of these artists speak for themselves. Harry Styles recently broke the record for the most performances by a solo artist at Wembley Stadium, completing his 12th show and surpassing the previous record held by Coldplay. It is a remarkable achievement, but one must wonder: will it be celebrated as an extraordinary milestone, or dismissed because his audience is largely made up of young women?
The double standard does not stop there. Women's interests are constantly scrutinised in ways men's rarely are. Female sports fans are often expected to "prove" they are genuine supporters, and oftentimes young women wearing band T-shirts are challenged to name songs before they are considered "real fans." How many young women have been asked to name five Nirvana songs simply because they are wearing one of the band's shirts? And even if they don't listen to Nirvana, why should that matter? People wear clothing because they like the design all the time, yet women are uniquely expected to justify their interests.
This constant policing sends a clear message: women's hobbies and passions require validation, while men's are accepted without question.
What makes this even more striking is how differently society judges extreme fan behaviour. Tears of joy at a concert are mocked as "too much," but shouting abuse at referees, smashing televisions, or getting into fights after football matches is often brushed off as part of the sport's culture. The contrast becomes even more uncomfortable when we consider the wider consequences. Research has consistently found an increase in reported domestic abuse incidents following major football matches. One study found incidents rose by 38% when England lost and by 26% when they won. Importantly, football itself does not cause domestic abuse; abuse is caused by perpetrators who choose to exert power and control over their victims. However, these findings illustrate how society often normalises aggressive behaviour surrounding men's sporting culture while simultaneously ridiculing the comparatively harmless excitement of female fans. Ultimately, this isn't about football versus pop music, but rather about whose passions are respected and whose are trivialised.
Male fans are described as loyal, knowledgeable, and passionate. Female fans are labelled obsessive, irrational, and embarrassing. The behaviour is often remarkably similar, yet the language we use changes depending on gender. Perhaps it is time we stopped mocking young women for caring deeply about the things they love. After all, enthusiasm isn't the problem. The problem is deciding that some people's passions deserve respect while others deserve ridicule.
Sources Used
Bridging the Gap: How Men’s and Women’s Sports Fans Differ. (2024, December 10). https://hatch.group/bridging-the-gap-how-mens-and-womens-sports-fans-differ-and-what-it-means-for-brand-sponsors/
Lawrence, J. (2024, March 27). Fans Versus Fangirls: Misogyny Across Passions. The Eyeopener. https://theeyeopener.com/2024/03/fans-versus-fangirls-misogyny-across-passions/
The rider news. (2022, March 9). If I was a man: The double standards between sports and pop culture fans. The Rider News. https://theridernews.com/if-i-was-a-man-the-double-standards-between-sports-and-pop-culture-fans/
Buschmann, R., & Wulzinger, M. (2018, May 14). The gendered double standard in fanaticism. The Prospector; Faber & Faber. https://www.theprospectordaily.com/2026/03/03/fan-fanaticism-fangirl-women-students/?__cf_chl_f_tk=jIOPN9ej1LWkx2knqCYu5Cx_7ZjFNuUNEAhCyqVTeJE-1783351426-1.0.1.1-JNqW8wVsXAKf6AznPpM5YvFTe89v18jN34yG6teRMtg
World Cup Football and Domestic Abuse - Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership. (2018, June 15). Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership. https://www.wirralsafeguarding.co.uk/world-cup-football-and-domestic-abuse/