By Reigha Weaver | Arts & Life Writer
As the sound of screaming girls fill a giant arena, parents shake their heads and self-proclaimed grownups laugh. These crazed fangirls only have a certain portrait painted of them: one of ditsy, head-in-the-clouds ridiculousness. Yet, this group of loud, passionate teenyboppers has more sway than you could ever imagine.
Fangirls have existed far before the days of Harry Styles and Taylor Swift. In fact the first usage of the word “fangirl” was in 1934, in A.P. Herbert’s novel, “Holy Deadlock”, referring to girls standing outside of a theater.
Yet, the word quickly grew to have a negative connotation.
In 1964 at the peak of Beatlemania, British journalist Paul Johnson described Beatles fans as dull teenagers, and painted fans as hysterical for seemingly no reason.
“Those who flock round the Beatles, who scream themselves into hysteria, are the least fortunate of their generation, the dull, the idle, the failures: their existence, in such large numbers, far from being a cause for ministerial congratulation, is a fearful indictment of our education system,” Johnson said.
At the time, that was all fangirls could be; silly, dull little girls with way too much time on their hands. So when the age of boybands came along, (NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on The Block, One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer) it seemed like history was repeating itself.
However, as time went on and fangirls diversified their affections toward film and art, our nation’s economy started to see just how much fangirls contributed.
As of 2023, women control about 85% of consumer spending. Young women also generate immense revenue in the concert industry.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour generated two billion dollars in ticket sales alone. Most of the impact, however, was made in the cities Swift performed in.
According to Michigan Journal of Economics, “The tour generated increases in travel demand, hospitality activity, and consumer purchases in each city it reached, turning the concerts into economic forces.”
Without the influence of these young women, our economy would look vastly different. But fangirls do more than just spend money, they build community.
When fans come together, they build a fandom, a safe haven for those who are passionate to discuss what they love. In this, people from around the world find a community where they can be unashamedly themselves.
In a world where we are so quick to cast judgement, I think we should give more credit to the fangirls. Not only do they boost our economy, they love without borders.
When in doubt, take it from the fangirl expert, Harry Styles.
“You’re gonna tell me they’re not serious?” he said. “How can you say young girls don’t get it? They’re our future. Our future doctors, lawyers, mothers, presidents, they kind of keep the world going. Teenage-girl fans – they don’t lie. If they like you, they’re there. They don’t act ‘too cool.’ They like you, and they tell you. Which is sick.”
