Volume 7, No. 3, Art. 18 – May 2006

Review:

Bettina Fritzsche (2003). Pop-Fans. Studie einer Mädchenkultur [Pop-Fans: Study of a Girl Culture]

Lothar Mikos (Germany)

Abstract: This study focuses on the "girl culture" created by fans of boy groups and girl groups. The central case study is used to examine fan practices as cultural practices using reconstructive and documentary methodologies, and to assess the normative demands placed on young people. The study centers on the question of gender socialization by mediated symbolic resources, and shows that fan culture is a self-determined space in which girls can negotiate normative demands and engage with questions of gender, sexuality and the body, testing conformity and obstinacy. Fan activities are presented as part of the self-empowerment of girls. The study makes an important contribution to the research of a specific girl culture. It shows in a brilliant way how media representations are used as symbolic material in everyday cultural practices.

Key words: boy groups, documentary methodology, fans, fan culture, gender, girl groups, focus groups, action theory, identity, narrative interview, cultural practice, girl culture, mass culture, media, popular culture, reconstructive methodology, sampling

This contribution is only available as a full text in the German language. German text

Volume 7, No. 3   Table of Contents

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