This is a topic I have always found interesting. After experiencing instances like this MANY times throughout my life, I have begun to notice a trend in society. Very broadly speaking, this trend is that girls can't be nerds. Girls are incapable of actually liking things and are only ever doing it to be cool or impress someone. How many times have I been wearing a Star Wars shirt and was grilled on the details of all the movies? How many times have I said I liked Harry Potter and got quizzed to death just to prove I wasn't lying? By complete strangers mind you.

I'm not saying that this for a fact is a gender thing because I don't know that for a fact. What I do know is that for some reason, people are under the impression that when a girl likes something "nerdy" (video games, movies, comic books, etc.) they're doing it to be cool. Here is why I believe that to be true.

If we look at "nerd culture" what to we find? A bunch of male-dominated genres. Who are the main characters in The Lord of the Rings? Men. Who are the main characters in ALMOST every comic book? Men. Superhero movies, Marvel, DC comics, Grand Theft Auto, Halo, Star Wars (although let's give it up for Princess Leia). All of these things are made for, marketed for, and catered toward men. In the past few years, things have been changing. There have been more inclusive movies like Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman, it can still be said that only 27% of Marvel and DC characters are female (source).

Do you think fangirls are crazy? Try any guy that has played GTA for like 10 hours straight. Girls are allowed to be nerds, we are just unfortunate enough to live in a world where the only popular content is tailored to men! It doesn't mean we like it to impress you! It doesn't mean we like it to be "different" or "cool". We like it because we find it captivating and interesting just like everyone else. In the same vein, girls are allowed to like sports! If I say I like baseball, you don't have to ask me which pitcher has the most career strikeouts in MLB history!

I am writing this because I am sick of having to prove myself to people who don't believe that I can actually enjoy something that is not Gossip Girl or Rom Coms thank you very much, SIR. And it's alright to just like something and not be an enthusiast on the subject! Yes, I've seen the Star Wars movies, and yes I only saw each one once! I still liked it, doesn't mean I'm gonna know all the answers to your impromptu trivia while I'm walking around Target.