Which Gender Prefers Fantasy...Girls or Guys? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Auriel Haevasawen · 01-04-2003, 04:56 PM

Hmmm, an interesting thread. All my life I have found that 'fantasy' and sci-fi are very popular with boys (usually boys who are into computers and rock music but I'm aware we're treading dangerous stereotypes ground here). Girls always percieved me a little odd for my fondness for Tolkien but I have to say it is only Tolkien in the fantasy genre that I am really impressed with. I have test-driven a number of other authors and they always feel pale imitations. (This is also why apart from in RPGs I wouldn't write fantasy myself I could never do it justice.) Since the arrival of the film a few friends have come out of the woodwork and admitted they loved Tolkien too but like me it was percieved as 'for boys' so they kept quiet. This site is full of women who seem to come in two catagories; teen girlies who have a thing for Orli and those around 30 who may also have a thing for warrior types but read the book long ago and love it whether the movie was there or not.
Who knows? I think the person who said 50/50 mix is probably right, it just happens that statistically this site is weighted toward girls. I also think it's obvious I'm female when you read this because I ramble on with nought of import to say. Sorry, back to the RPGs for me.

01-04-2003, 04:56 PM	#8
Auriel Haevasawen Wight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nowhere of importance Posts: 240	Hmmm, an interesting thread. All my life I have found that 'fantasy' and sci-fi are very popular with boys (usually boys who are into computers and rock music but I'm aware we're treading dangerous stereotypes ground here). Girls always percieved me a little odd for my fondness for Tolkien but I have to say it is only Tolkien in the fantasy genre that I am really impressed with. I have test-driven a number of other authors and they always feel pale imitations. (This is also why apart from in RPGs I wouldn't write fantasy myself I could never do it justice.) Since the arrival of the film a few friends have come out of the woodwork and admitted they loved Tolkien too but like me it was percieved as 'for boys' so they kept quiet. This site is full of women who seem to come in two catagories; teen girlies who have a thing for Orli and those around 30 who may also have a thing for warrior types but read the book long ago and love it whether the movie was there or not. Who knows? I think the person who said 50/50 mix is probably right, it just happens that statistically this site is weighted toward girls. I also think it's obvious I'm female when you read this because I ramble on with nought of import to say. Sorry, back to the RPGs for me. __________________ Auriel