a reflection on content creation as women
Hi all!
I’m 17 and have always wanted to create content around games!
I’ve been reflecting for a while about this topic. Misogyny is nothing new and with the wide spread use of short form content such as tiktok, reels, and shorts, I feel like it’s been even more damaging to women due to this hive mind mentality of teenagers on the internet wanting to seem cool.
Observing a lot of my favourite content creators to watch, I can’t help but notice such a stark difference in the way men and women are treated. It’s no surprise, but it’s still discouraging. For example, a male creator will say something specific or have a big personality and will be loved for it, but all I can think of is how many people would call him annoying if he was a woman.
That is not to say I am perfect in this either, I am a product of our society and I, unfortunately, notice that I struggle with some internalised misogyny; I will think a female creator is annoying or embarrassing, but then I’ll stop myself and wonder if I’d say the same thing if it was a male and often times, I don’t think I would. I even vividly remember being around 7 years old and saying a joke, then thinking that it would’ve been much funnier if I was a boy.
Another thing I notice is that most popular female content creators have a fandom space that I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. Some of them play into it which is up to them, but I feel like it puts a limit on popularity - like you can only reach a higher level of fame if you do play into it rather than avoid it. I feel as if a lot of them have incel type fans who form these parasocial relationships with them or fans who behave in a sexist manner towards them and degrade them but label it ‘funny’, while male content creators have funnier, more interesting fan spaces. That is not to say male creators don’t struggle with weird fans too, but I feel like it is much more common with women and somehow more sociably accepted and fall upon the blame of the creators, if that makes sense; female creators often get blamed for the weird behaviour of their fans.
I’m not sure why I’m sharing my thoughts, but it’s something that’s been weighing on my mind for a while. I often feel so much envy towards some male creators that it bothers me, I love being a girl and I love these safe spaces for us, but it always makes me jealous to look through a glass ceiling.
I would like to think female spaces are improving, but I still find the idea of creating content intimidating no matter how much I want to do it.
Just some thoughts, have a wonderful day and enjoy all your games!! :)