> teen girls are often very intentional about what they're interested in and aware of the social influences behind those media products, and they deliberately use excitement and passion as the foundation for community-building and empathetic development.”
I think this is a more important part of it than the article does credit, this kind of feminized excitement is really stigmatized (hysteria)
I don't see how that's any different from other fandoms, sports clubs fans for example, but those usually have to deal with the far worse stigma of being "dumb and violent".
In that regard, I don't see how the author can differentiate between "deliberate use of excitement and passion" vs "accidental use of excitement and passion" or whatever else is supposed to be the opposite of that.
Adding the gender angle to this feels kinder surplus, especially in the context how it's usually done in one direction. I'm pretty sure with a bit of time and effort one could write a similar piece about the culture of the "seduction community" and how their antics are just a manifestation of "community building and empathetic development" with their fellow peers.
No need to talk about objectification, after all, I didn't see it mentioned in this piece either, even tho it should be equally relevant.
I think this is a more important part of it than the article does credit, this kind of feminized excitement is really stigmatized (hysteria)