Hugging Power: Fangirls, Enthusiasm, and Giving power

By Peyton Stewart | Published on  

In a single conversation, a 13-year-old’s passion reshaped my perspectives. She casually mentioned she was destined to marry Harry Styles. My initial laughter shifted to fascination as she earnestly insisted on her devotion to him. That instance marked the start of my deep intrigue with fangirls.

At first, I puzzled over what a fangirl truly was and who Harry Styles represented. According to the dictionary, a fangirl is someone excessively enthusiastic about a person or thing. My curiosity mainly centered on fangirls of boy bands, known for their fervor. I remembered tales of Beatles fans tearing a BMW apart. In 2015, the obsession was directed at One Direction and Harry Styles, characterized by his kindness and impeccable hair. Thousands of tweets revealed the adoration: a sweet cupcake, a perfect angel, even a shrine at a freeway where he once vomited.

This journey led me through fan-made artworks, DIY projects, and intricate love stories. Then came a seismic shift as One Direction lost a member. Fans’ grief was palpable, triggering mocking videos and headlines branding them “crazy” and “insane.” The contrasting treatment of male and female fans struck me—boys’ sports enthusiasm lauded, girls’ pop fervor criticized.

Digging deeper, I discovered the history of belittling female emotions. “Hysteria,” rooted in “of the womb,” justified sexist treatment. A fascination with female screams led to an epiphany: fangirls retained authentic expressions of joy, unlike boys who suppressed such sounds. Fangirls’ unapologetic love and fearless excitement set them apart.

These insights ignited a determination to celebrate fangirls’ spirit. I crafted “Fangirls,” a trojan horse musical that challenges perceptions. A pivotal line posed a question: why should fangirls be subdued? Society’s judgments clashed with girls’ boundless capabilities. Instead of dismissal, there’s potential to learn from their unreserved love.

Let’s try something: stand up and release your best fangirl scream. This sound isn’t “crazy”; it’s a beacon of hope. Hug it, for we all deserve joy, unfiltered and sincere.

A life-altering conversation with a 13-year-old girl reshaped my outlook. What began with casual chatter about marrying Harry Styles turned into a fascination that ignited a deep connection with fangirls.

Curiosity led me to explore the meaning of “fangirl,” discovering their fervent admiration for figures they cherished. My focus was drawn to fangirls of boy bands, who carried a reputation that intrigued me. The reminiscences of Beatles fans tearing a parked BMW to shreds fascinated me. My attention shifted to the present, where One Direction, particularly Harry Styles, held a central role. His compassionate nature and perfectly coiffed hair captured their hearts, with endearing descriptions flooding social media.

This journey immersed me in fan-created art, detailed love tokens, and intricate stories. Then, the unexpected struck - One Direction faced a departure. The aftermath saw an outpouring of emotions from fans, met with a mixture of empathy and ridicule from the public. The contrasting perceptions of male and female enthusiasts underscored the gendered lens society often employs.

Delving deeper, I revealed the historical context of dismissing female emotions. The term “hysteria,” rooted in the belief that it emanated from the uterus, cast doubt on women’s emotional expressions. This revelation prompted me to reevaluate the stereotypes I held about fangirls and the implications of our judgments.

My exploration evolved into a determination to champion fangirls. “Fangirls,” a musical project, aimed to challenge biases by cleverly subverting them. Through its narrative, it became clear that questioning the suppression of fangirl enthusiasm was essential. The contrast in how we view boys’ and girls’ excitement begged us to rethink our standards.

As I sorted out the layers of fangirl power, it became evident that their unapologetic love represented a unique strength. Their exuberant screams, often dismissed, held a purity of expression that persisted through time. Their ability to love without hesitation stood as an example to adults who often restrained their emotions.

An invitation was extended to the audience: stand up and release your inner fangirl. The liberating act of collectively releasing joyful screams challenged perceptions. The noise wasn’t “crazy”; it was a declaration of happiness, touching with the idea that hugging genuine enthusiasm can be a path to giving power.

Picture this: a single conversation with a 13-year-old sparked an unexpected journey. What started as a casual exchange about Harry Styles turned into a profound exploration of fangirls’ world and society’s outlook on their fervor.

Curiosity led me to sort out the meaning of “fangirl” - individuals brimming with intense admiration for someone or something. I honed in on the captivating energy surrounding fangirls of boy bands, a realm ripe with intrigue. The memory of Beatles fans dismantling a car in the ’60s lingered, providing context for the present. The spotlight had shifted, and One Direction, particularly Harry Styles, stood at the center. Descriptions of his compassion and flawless appearance flooded social media, painting a vivid picture.

This path guided me through fan-made art, heartfelt tokens, and intricate narratives. But then came a pivotal moment - a member left One Direction. The aftermath witnessed a storm of emotions from fans, met with empathy and, unfortunately, derision. The contrasting perceptions of male and female enthusiasts underscored a striking gender bias ingrained in our society.

Digging deeper, I unearthed the historical roots of undermining female emotions. The term “hysteria,” rooted in the belief of a “wandering womb,” cast shadows on genuine feelings. This revelation prompted me to question preconceived notions surrounding fangirls and the insidious nature of our judgments.

My fascination culminated in a creative endeavor: “Fangirls,” a project designed to defy stereotypes. This exploration shed light on the necessity of questioning why fangirl enthusiasm is met with skepticism. It highlighted the stark contrast in our treatment of boys’ and girls’ fervor.

As I delved into the gendered lens of enthusiasm, a realization emerged: fangirls’ unabashed love was an emblem of strength. The exuberant screams that were often belittled held the key to unfiltered expression. It became evident that fangirls possessed the remarkable ability to love without fear, a trait worth celebrating.

A call to action touched: stand up and let out your inner fangirl. The act of hugging joyful screams challenged societal norms. The noise wasn’t “crazy” but rather an affirmation of unbridled happiness. This collective declaration echoed the sentiment that genuine enthusiasm defies gender norms and can pave the way for giving power.

Imagine a transformative conversation with a 13-year-old that reshaped my perspective. From the seemingly casual mention of marrying Harry Styles emerged a profound exploration into the realm of fangirls, their unfiltered passion, and the societal norms that define them.

Eager to comprehend the term “fangirl,” I ventured into the world of enthusiasts who ardently celebrate someone or something. My focus gravitated toward fangirls in the context of boy bands - a fascination ignited by tales of Beatles fans dismantling a car decades ago. Shifting to the present, One Direction’s spotlight was adorned with descriptions of Harry Styles, complete with compassion and impeccable style.

This journey led me through a diverse tapestry of fan-created artwork, heartfelt expressions, and intricate stories. Then, a seismic shift arrived - a pivotal member of One Direction departed. Fans’ emotional responses evoked empathy and, disappointingly, mockery. The stark contrast in how society perceives male and female enthusiasts highlighted the gendered lens through which we view fervor.

Delving deeper, I revealed the historical roots of dismissing female emotions as “hysteria,” laden with stereotypes. This revelation urged me to reevaluate my own judgments and recognize the impact of such biases on fangirls.

My fascination evolved into a creative endeavor: “Fangirls,” a project designed to subvert and challenge stereotypes. This exploration spotlighted the necessity of questioning the skepticism surrounding fangirl enthusiasm and underscored the divergence in treating boys’ and girls’ passions.

As I delved into the enabling essence of fangirl voices, a revelation emerged: their unapologetic love embodied incredible strength. Their joyous screams, often belittled, held a powerful truth - the ability to express unfiltered happiness. It dawned on me that fangirls possess an enviable skill - to love without inhibition.

A rallying cry touched: stand up and release your inner fangirl. This act of hugging unbridled enthusiasm transcended norms. The resulting cacophony wasn’t “crazy”; it was a resounding affirmation of genuine happiness. This collective declaration underscored the notion that hugging authentic fervor has the potential to redefine norms and, in doing so, pave the way for giving power.

In the journey from a casual conversation to a deep exploration, I revealed the power and toughness of fangirls. The enthusiasm these young women exude is far from trivial; it’s a reflection of their authenticity and unbridled joy. As we navigate a world laden with gender biases, their unwavering dedication challenges us to reconsider how we view and value different forms of enthusiasm.

The stories of fangirls teach us that hugging our passions without hesitation is not a weakness but a remarkable strength. Their ability to love fiercely and celebrate openly defies societal norms that attempt to confine emotions within acceptable boundaries. The stark contrast between how male and female enthusiasts are perceived underscores the urgent need to redefine our standards of what constitutes “reasonable” expression.

So, as we stand at the crossroads of societal norms and genuine enthusiasm, let’s remember the enabling voices of fangirls. Their unapologetic love serves as a reminder that hugging our authentic selves is a transformative act. By breaking free from the confines of gendered judgments and celebrating joy in all its forms, we pave the way for a more inclusive and enlightened world—one where everyone, regardless of gender, can revel in the magic of unfiltered passion.