The Tolkien Fan: male or female

Insidious Rex · 03-05-2003, 11:46 PM

I used to always think that the "normal" Tolkien fan was a male of better then average intelligence between maybe 14-24 and who is into stuff like role playing games and ren fests and things along those themes. I guess I thought this because this described me and the only other people I knew who were into Tolkien when i was young. But in the past few years and on this message board it seems like there are more females then males. And my picture of the average Tolkien fan is now becoming a quiet bookish girl who likes horses and nature and is passionate about her Tolkien books. And the age range seems to be 13-aging hippie. So am I just over generalizing here or are there really significantly more pure Tolkien fans that are female then male now?

Note: Im talking about Tolkiens work meaning the books. Not just the movies. That would be Jacksons work. Important distinction.

Lizra · 03-05-2003, 11:51 PM

Do you think both sexes enjoy reading equally? You have to be "bookish" to want to read Tolkien!

Gwaimir Windgem · 03-05-2003, 11:55 PM

Hmm, yes, 'bookish' is sort of a prerequisite.

I'd bet my bottom dollar there's more female Jackson fans than male. Well, maybe not my BOTTOM dollar...

But about Tolkien, I don't really know which gender would be more 'Tolkienish'.

Huan · 03-06-2003, 02:19 AM

I would guess that there are more female readers of Tolkien currently than there have been, since his works are in the zeitgeist again. In the 1960s, pretty much everyone in the counterculture adored Tolkien, male and female. Now I guess all the bookish types are into him. During the last thirty years, though, I would think that the primary audience for Tolkien was indeed geeky D&D playing males. Generalizing, I admit, but it seems to me that elves, wizards, swords, and dragons would appeal more automatically to a male geek sensibility than a female. But obviously that's currently changing.

Artanis · 03-06-2003, 05:03 AM

I don't think you can draw any conclusions about the average Tolkien reader from what people you see on boards like this one. Young people tend to use the internet more than older people, and boys more than girls. But when girls are online they tend to chat, while boys are more into games and such. All this is generally speaking

So Insidious Rex, if you see an overweight of young girls here (I can't tell where you've got the 'quiet' from though) I think that's the reason.

Sween · 03-06-2003, 07:55 AM

i would never describe myself as been bookish but i am amazed how many women are really into books its opens a whole new to women to me was sat in the pub the other day having a long drawn out conversation about the first age of middle earth with this really attractive woman. i only went to chat to her for my mate and we going on for hours!

***Earniel*** · 03-06-2003, 08:29 AM

I suppose the fine collection of male specimen in the movies draws a lot of girls into Tolkien.

Although fantasy as a whole usually tends to attract more male fans. Or at least that's the impression I usually get.

When I started to get interested in fantasy and science fiction I got some weird looks because it was unusual ( at least around here) that a girl should be interested in space ships and stuff like that. Female fantasy fans seem hard to come by here. Or maybe I'm not looking hard enough.

Lady of Rohan · 03-06-2003, 09:09 AM

Not quite. Maybe bookish. Likes horses and nature definatly. Not 13. female. Ah, I don't think that I fit your description too well. But I agree with some one up there (sorry, I forget who) that there are a bunch of young females on the board and most probably because of Jackson. I will now be quite. Thank you.

Gwaimir Windgem · 03-06-2003, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eärniel
I suppose the fine collection of male specimen in the movies draws a lot of girls into Tolkien. Although fantasy as a whole usually tends to attract more male fans. Or at least that's the impression I usually get.

When I started to get interested in fantasy and science fiction I got some weird looks because it was unusual ( at least around here) that a girl should be interested in space ships and stuff like that. Female fantasy fans seem hard to come by here. Or maybe I'm not looking hard enough.

Yeah, I've noticed that female fantasy fans don't seem too common. At a game site (centered on fantasy) I go to, there are 0 female regulars. But I do have at least one female at Weavers of Legend. But still, females seem to be much less inclined to fantasy than males, from my experience.

Lady_of_the_Golden_Wood · 03-06-2003, 11:46 AM

I read the hobbit when I was seven, with my dad. After that, the LotR just seemed natural.

Legolas_Frodo_Aragorn · 03-06-2003, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
I \ And my picture of the average Tolkien fan is now becoming a quiet bookish girl who likes horses and nature and is passionate about her Tolkien books. And the age range seems to be 13-aging hippie. So am I just over generalizing here or are there really significantly more pure Tolkien fans that are female then male now?

girl..yes
bookish..yes
quiet...not in my lifetimes
horses...yes
nature...yes
13..yes

well, i tried reading the hobbit in 4th grade...and i thought it was so boring, but then i read it again when i heard the movies were coming out, and i loved it! i think alot of people here heard about the movie, then read the books, then loved the books

markedel · 03-06-2003, 01:22 PM

I'd say that fantasy fans are predominantly male-but people into Middle Earth as a literary work, and who would discuss at in this type of forum are not necessarily (or usually) D&D type fantasy "geeks" (who are more into gaming-I know, I was into Diablo for a while) but rather people with a more literary bent-which in today's society seems to be women.

***azalea*** · 03-06-2003, 03:57 PM

I think that many people of both sexes (pallindrome!

) like fantasy! Here's my theory: when females get to a certain age they are expected to act in a certain way, and being into fantasy is considered immature for them -- they could be labeled as "weird." Guys end up having a little more leeway in this regard, although they can get that "geek" label, but not necessarily (I knew a lot of "stoner" types that were very into fantasy) -- it's seen as a hobby, not a quirk. So that is why you see very few females above a certain age (like, out of college) who are avid fantasy fans. (Yay Lizra, SGH, Elvet, et al!) They exist, but in fewer numbers. I am thinking of rousing some latent fantasy lovers in my neighborhood (wait, that could be read the wrong way...

)
Summation: I think most people who are voracious readers are also Tolkien fans, at least a little. Hey, The Hobbit was just voted one of the top 30 most popular children's books -- someone's reading it!

**crickhollow** · 03-06-2003, 04:11 PM

For my part (and I am female, btw, for those of you who are still confused), I love Tolkien not because it is Fantasy, but because it is great literature. I'm not into Rpgs, or Starwars--I love Dickens, Macdonald, Lewis, and Austin. So I guess I fit your classification, markedel.

eowyngirl14 · 03-06-2003, 05:22 PM

in response to your original post, Insidious Rex...

you basically just described me! except i am 14!

But in my limited experience, it seems that guys are more into science fiction (my favorite genre)than girls are, and that girls are more into fantasy.

Elvengirl · 03-06-2003, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
And my picture of the average Tolkien fan is now becoming a quiet bookish girl who likes horses and nature and is passionate about her Tolkien books. And the age range seems to be 13-aging hippie.
.

Well, I pretty much fit that description- very quiet, bookish, love horses, and nature, but not 13. Though I was around 13 when I first became introduced to the Tolkien books.
But I rarely meet girls who are interested in Tolkien. (except for this moot). The majority are all guys and unfortunately they tend to be labled geeks.
Now the movies.....that's a different story.
This actually reminds me of a question, maybe I'll start a thread.

durin's bane · 03-06-2003, 06:57 PM

I don't really think gender matters about how much you love something. I think it's mainly the personality. For some reason, I can easily picture a female like Tolkien, but with boys, it's a bit harder. To me, there's three kinds of boys:

Skater boys (boys who are into skate boards and hackey sacks and Eminem, and sometimes team sports)
Anime boys (boys who love video games and trading card games and anime and manga, and can usually be seen wearing a hoody or Japanese overshirt)
All-around boys (boys who like a little bit of everything, and they're the kind of boys who I think to be the most likely to enjoy Tolkien's works)

But that's just my opinion, so it doesn't count.

Gwaimir Windgem · 03-06-2003, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crickhollow
For my part (and I am female, btw, for those of you who are still confused), I love Tolkien not because it is Fantasy, but because it is great literature. I'm not into Rpgs, or Starwars--I love Dickens, Macdonald, Lewis, and Austin. So I guess I fit your classification, markedel.

While I love fantasy, I don't love Tolkien's works because they are fantasy. Indeed, I don't consider them to be fantasy. I love them because they simply are, in my opinion, perfect.

They are the definition of great literature, IMO.

gimli7410 · 03-06-2003, 08:24 PM

i think that male used to be bigger tolkien readers because back in the 60s and then on it was more males who were in to fantasy(thats just my opinion)

Silverstripe · 03-06-2003, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
Yeah, I've noticed that female fantasy fans don't seem too common. At a game site (centered on fantasy) I go to, there are 0 female regulars. But I do have at least one female at Weavers of Legend. But still, females seem to be much less inclined to fantasy than males, from my experience.

That's funny. I've met more female fantasy fans than male! Actually, it depends on whether or not you separate sci-fi and fantasy. I have met more female fans of pure fantasy than male fans. However, when it comes to science fiction, it seems like there a LOT more males fans than females. So, if you didn't separate the two, the male "sci-fi/fantasy" fans would probably outnumber the females.

But the statistics would be misleading.

03-05-2003, 11:46 PM	#1
Insidious Rex Quasi Evil Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Maryland, US Posts: 4,634	The Tolkien Fan: male or female I used to always think that the "normal" Tolkien fan was a male of better then average intelligence between maybe 14-24 and who is into stuff like role playing games and ren fests and things along those themes. I guess I thought this because this described me and the only other people I knew who were into Tolkien when i was young. But in the past few years and on this message board it seems like there are more females then males. And my picture of the average Tolkien fan is now becoming a quiet bookish girl who likes horses and nature and is passionate about her Tolkien books. And the age range seems to be 13-aging hippie. So am I just over generalizing here or are there really significantly more pure Tolkien fans that are female then male now? Note: Im talking about Tolkiens work meaning the books. Not just the movies. That would be Jacksons work. Important distinction. __________________ "People's political beliefs don't stem from the factual information they've acquired. Far more the facts people choose to believe are the product of their political beliefs." "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

03-05-2003, 11:51 PM	#2
Lizra Domesticated Swing Babe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Reality Posts: 5,340	Do you think both sexes enjoy reading equally? You have to be "bookish" to want to read Tolkien! __________________ Happy Atheist Go Democrats!

03-05-2003, 11:55 PM	#3
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Hmm, yes, 'bookish' is sort of a prerequisite. I'd bet my bottom dollar there's more female Jackson fans than male. Well, maybe not my BOTTOM dollar... But about Tolkien, I don't really know which gender would be more 'Tolkienish'. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

03-06-2003, 05:03 AM	#5
Artanis Greatest Elven woman of Aman Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Having way too much fun with Fëanor's 7 Posts: 4,285	I don't think you can draw any conclusions about the average Tolkien reader from what people you see on boards like this one. Young people tend to use the internet more than older people, and boys more than girls. But when girls are online they tend to chat, while boys are more into games and such. All this is generally speaking So Insidious Rex, if you see an overweight of young girls here (I can't tell where you've got the 'quiet' from though) I think that's the reason. __________________ --Life is hard, and then we die.

03-06-2003, 07:55 AM	#6
Sween im quite stupid Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cockermouth Posts: 2,058	i would never describe myself as been bookish but i am amazed how many women are really into books its opens a whole new to women to me was sat in the pub the other day having a long drawn out conversation about the first age of middle earth with this really attractive woman. i only went to chat to her for my mate and we going on for hours! __________________ Yeah god hes ok but i would rather be judged by a sheep than that idiot

03-06-2003, 02:19 AM	#4
Huan Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oxford, MS Posts: 274	I would guess that there are more female readers of Tolkien currently than there have been, since his works are in the zeitgeist again. In the 1960s, pretty much everyone in the counterculture adored Tolkien, male and female. Now I guess all the bookish types are into him. During the last thirty years, though, I would think that the primary audience for Tolkien was indeed geeky D&D playing males. Generalizing, I admit, but it seems to me that elves, wizards, swords, and dragons would appeal more automatically to a male geek sensibility than a female. But obviously that's currently changing.

03-06-2003, 08:29 AM	#7
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	I suppose the fine collection of male specimen in the movies draws a lot of girls into Tolkien. Although fantasy as a whole usually tends to attract more male fans. Or at least that's the impression I usually get. When I started to get interested in fantasy and science fiction I got some weird looks because it was unusual ( at least around here) that a girl should be interested in space ships and stuff like that. Female fantasy fans seem hard to come by here. Or maybe I'm not looking hard enough. __________________ We are not things.

03-06-2003, 09:09 AM	#8
Lady of Rohan Doughy Elf Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 1,006	Not quite. Maybe bookish. Likes horses and nature definatly. Not 13. female. Ah, I don't think that I fit your description too well. But I agree with some one up there (sorry, I forget who) that there are a bunch of young females on the board and most probably because of Jackson. I will now be quite. Thank you.

03-06-2003, 11:46 AM	#10
Lady_of_the_Golden_Wood The Precious Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glasgow Posts: 204	I read the hobbit when I was seven, with my dad. After that, the LotR just seemed natural. __________________ was holding on hanging by a thread clinging to three words you said but words are meaningless in your absence.

03-06-2003, 01:22 PM	#12
markedel 'Sober' Mullet Frosh Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Queen's Posts: 1,245	I'd say that fantasy fans are predominantly male-but people into Middle Earth as a literary work, and who would discuss at in this type of forum are not necessarily (or usually) D&D type fantasy "geeks" (who are more into gaming-I know, I was into Diablo for a while) but rather people with a more literary bent-which in today's society seems to be women. __________________ "Earnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom"

03-06-2003, 03:57 PM	#13
*azalea* Long lost mooter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 3,342	I think that many people of both sexes (pallindrome! ) like fantasy! Here's my theory: when females get to a certain age they are expected to act in a certain way, and being into fantasy is considered immature for them -- they could be labeled as "weird." Guys end up having a little more leeway in this regard, although they can get that "geek" label, but not necessarily (I knew a lot of "stoner" types that were very into fantasy) -- it's seen as a hobby, not a quirk. So that is why you see very few females above a certain age (like, out of college) who are avid fantasy fans. (Yay Lizra, SGH, Elvet, et al!) They exist, but in fewer numbers. I am thinking of rousing some latent fantasy lovers in my neighborhood (wait, that could be read the wrong way... ) Summation: I think most people who are voracious readers are also Tolkien fans, at least a little. Hey, The Hobbit was just voted one of the top 30 most popular children's books -- someone's reading it!

03-06-2003, 04:11 PM	#14
crickhollow The Buckleberry Fairy/Captain Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Washington State again (I miss Texas). Posts: 1,345	For my part (and I am female, btw, for those of you who are still confused), I love Tolkien not because it is Fantasy, but because it is great literature. I'm not into Rpgs, or Starwars--I love Dickens, Macdonald, Lewis, and Austin. So I guess I fit your classification, markedel. __________________ A day will come at last when I Shall take the hidden paths that run West of the Moon, East of the Sun.

03-06-2003, 05:22 PM	#15
eowyngirl14 i don't know what i am talking about either, so don't ask Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,353	in response to your original post, Insidious Rex... you basically just described me! except i am 14! But in my limited experience, it seems that guys are more into science fiction (my favorite genre)than girls are, and that girls are more into fantasy. __________________ 'The coming of dawn is ever the hope to the heart of men' -Aragorn 'Then I will die as one of them' -Aragorn TTT movie “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety” - Benjamin Franklin arms are made for hugging avatar from the avatar shop! made by Eowyn, Lady of Rohan

03-06-2003, 06:57 PM	#17
durin's bane Lady of Westernesse Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Canada (Help! Our parliament building is melting!) Posts: 761	I don't really think gender matters about how much you love something. I think it's mainly the personality. For some reason, I can easily picture a female like Tolkien, but with boys, it's a bit harder. To me, there's three kinds of boys: Skater boys (boys who are into skate boards and hackey sacks and Eminem, and sometimes team sports) Anime boys (boys who love video games and trading card games and anime and manga, and can usually be seen wearing a hoody or Japanese overshirt) All-around boys (boys who like a little bit of everything, and they're the kind of boys who I think to be the most likely to enjoy Tolkien's works) But that's just my opinion, so it doesn't count. __________________ Yada, yada, yada

03-06-2003, 08:24 PM	#19
gimli7410 the dumb stoner canuck Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: canada Posts: 2,542	i think that male used to be bigger tolkien readers because back in the 60s and then on it was more males who were in to fantasy(thats just my opinion) __________________ -"Down with the system"-Serj tankian of system of a down -“Humans have been on the earth for millions of years, yet we don’t believe man began thinking until he started building walls. And what good have these walls ever done us?”-Serj tankian of soad -"stupid people do stupid things"-Serj tankian of soad "Trying is the first step to failure" Homer Simpson "It isn't going to be easy"-jerseydevil "only the good die young" I AM CANADIAN If the people lead, the leaders will follow.

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