The more I've thought about it, the more I've wondered whether this is two legitimate issues jellyrolled into a single one.
One issue is sexism in fandom. Hell yes it exists. If there is any question about it, roll by Fandom_Wank whenever it's rumored that some woman is going to be cast on Supernatural. Fandom goes berserk and it's both horrifying and astounding. It's definitely a legit issue to talk about sexism in fandom. It exists and it can be ugly.
However, I'm far less certain about the gender assignment of 'man pain' and 'woman pain' when what is being described is protagonist privilege verging on narrative narcissism. What's really being described isn't male or female but a narcissistic protagonist, and it's easy to come up with examples of these in both genders. There's nothing inherently feminine or masculine about ego centrism. Any glance at a reality show on MTV or Bravo will provide a multitude of examples of it – in both genders – in near pathological forms.
If the central question is whether there's sexism in fandom? I can only vigorously nod my head and say that there is. You’re damn straight there is!
If, on the other hand, it's about protagonist privilege taken to extremes, then I don’t feel like dragging gender into it. Both genders are capable of myopic egocentrism, and writers have their preferred pets overdose on protagonist privilege all the time. And I reserve my right to be irritated with narcissistic characters regardless of gender.
And on BSG no one’s pain was allowed to count 1/10th as much Starbuck’s or Adama’s pain. Starbuck could have an affair with Apollo behind her husband's back and Apollo's wife's back and it somehow become all about Starbuck's angst and only Starbuck's angst (pity the pair of cuckholded spouses. Their angst didn't count at all...their deaths didn't either).
Both Adama and Starbuck were given butt loads of protagonist privilege, more than anyone else in a show that was rife with characters exhibiting appalling behaviors and not having to compensate for it. Truly, to top everyone else on that show in that regard was a feat.)
And the Gwen thing is baffling to me. Might as well complain about Dennis the Ghost or the millionaire of Season 1 AtS not being made regulars.
no subject
One issue is sexism in fandom. Hell yes it exists. If there is any question about it, roll by Fandom_Wank whenever it's rumored that some woman is going to be cast on Supernatural. Fandom goes berserk and it's both horrifying and astounding. It's definitely a legit issue to talk about sexism in fandom. It exists and it can be ugly.
However, I'm far less certain about the gender assignment of 'man pain' and 'woman pain' when what is being described is protagonist privilege verging on narrative narcissism. What's really being described isn't male or female but a narcissistic protagonist, and it's easy to come up with examples of these in both genders. There's nothing inherently feminine or masculine about ego centrism. Any glance at a reality show on MTV or Bravo will provide a multitude of examples of it – in both genders – in near pathological forms.
If the central question is whether there's sexism in fandom? I can only vigorously nod my head and say that there is. You’re damn straight there is!
If, on the other hand, it's about protagonist privilege taken to extremes, then I don’t feel like dragging gender into it. Both genders are capable of myopic egocentrism, and writers have their preferred pets overdose on protagonist privilege all the time. And I reserve my right to be irritated with narcissistic characters regardless of gender.
And on BSG no one’s pain was allowed to count 1/10th as much Starbuck’s or Adama’s pain. Starbuck could have an affair with Apollo behind her husband's back and Apollo's wife's back and it somehow become all about Starbuck's angst and only Starbuck's angst (pity the pair of cuckholded spouses. Their angst didn't count at all...their deaths didn't either).
Both Adama and Starbuck were given butt loads of protagonist privilege, more than anyone else in a show that was rife with characters exhibiting appalling behaviors and not having to compensate for it. Truly, to top everyone else on that show in that regard was a feat.)
And the Gwen thing is baffling to me. Might as well complain about Dennis the Ghost or the millionaire of Season 1 AtS not being made regulars.