Breaking Away From the Stereotypes

Throughout centuries, people have gathered and formed communities around common interests and have expressed their own opinions and interests within these communities. These communities have helped people shape their own identities. Technology has changed, but the idea of identity shaping and community formation has stayed the same. One place to see this is in the fan fiction websites and forums. As the book explains, these websites help girls form friendships because they have something in common. And usually these friendships are more than talking about your favorite character. “It seems that, by joining a FF community, a girl can expect to either give and receive ‘acquaintance-level’ support or, more likely, a friendship.” (2.0, p.126)

These communities allow the girls to be themselves without the fear of their looks affecting the way people see them. An adolescent girl who may be going through puberty caused acne, or does not fit the ridiculous mold of what media calls a “pretty girl,” the FF community will not see them and therefore will not judge them on their looks. Also, the book points out an example of an ex-model who likes the fact that in the FF community she is not expected to “act cool.” (2.0, p.126)

This helps a girl make a true identity because she is not afraid of being judged as she would be in her junior high or high school community. This, to me, is one of the best aspects of the internet community and its anonymous setting. In a society where girls are told that they are too fat or their hair is not pretty or that being smart and creative is “uncool,” it is hard for a girl to truly express herself without the fear of being made fun of. The FF websites and blogs are helping girls fight back against the stereotypes. Fan fiction takes it a step farther by giving the girls a truly anonymous way of exploring characteristics they have or wish they had. The describe the authors characters in a way that usually describes themselves or what they wish they could be, without the girls specifically saying such things. They can explore different personalities or sexualities and express themselves in their own narratives. They can create their identity through their favorite character.