Are Haters Sexist?

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

They could be. There's a major hater out on YouTube who has laid a trap on unsuspecting bronies. He has a video that was called "Funny and Cute Applejack Moments". 

 

But the video itself is just a slide that says "LOL grown men watching shows for girls, get outta here pedophile". When I encountered this vid, it pissed me off to no end. I flagged it right away because it was hate to a specific group...I mean major hate.

 

This is why I say that some haters are sexist. 

 

If any of you see this vid, flag it right away, in fact, contact youtube about it, they might just terminate the guy's account.

[Spring Storm 276]

I think there can definitely be a sexist side to haters. Of course, not all of them are haters, but the ones with the mindset of "Boys should watch shows for boys and girls should watch shows for girls" certainly are. 

[Jammo 986]

Some are, some aren't.

People aren't so simple that you can say "They are all X because of Y". It's a mix of a lot of things, varying degrees for various people. They resistance of social reform and different ways of thought are a part of it. Some don't have an issue with bronies deep down, they just bandwagon because all their friends hate on it. Sometimes it's just human nature to create a counterculture to any new subculture, because of our inner desires to fight.

 

No case is completely the same, though many share similar elements. So when you ask "Are haters sexist?" I feel "No as a general statement, sometimes as a broader one."

[ShikaTheSingingPony 20]

In my experience, people hate either our show or our fandom for a multitude of reasons.  One of my very best friends, we'll call her Amy, finds the show overly sweet and absolutely hates the "sickly sweet shit" as she terms it.  Another guy I speak with is afraid of the fanbase because the few people that are bronies that he knows are slightly more obsessed than the average fan.  My own father and uncle hate us and our show because "that show's stupid and you're an idiot for watching it willingly" apparently.  This upset me, actually, but helps to prove my point in this instance, I think.  A fifth person I know doesn't hate our community or our show, but he finds the quality of MLP substandard and enjoys trolling us to get a rise out of people.  Basically, there are a lot of people that 'hate' on us for different reasons.  The main thing I've seen, as many of you probably have, is the sexist/ageism hate.  However, there are other reasons that we take crap.  One even being that some people just don't like MLP, and end up getting aggravated at hardcore bronies who insist on discussing it.

[Night Shine 770]

 

This guy definitely puts it better than I ever could:

 

If you're "TL;DR" towards Youtube videos, I'll pick out the best quote from the dude about why this (boys must watch boy shows) is a concept socialized into us:

 

"People tend to view whatever is usual as natural." And thus, they accept other things as unnatural.

[Shanks 10,816]

I think in the case of quite a few but not all haters yes there is some degree of sexism and in all cases there is a serious insecurity about masculinity and femininity. Society seems to allow girls to be into as many things regarded as masculine as they want for the most part without making a big deal out of it, women and girls being into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, Star Wars ect is seen as normal while boys and men being into things regarded as feminine like MLP are regarded as at best as either gay or overgrown man children who live in their parents basements and at worst as pedophiles. This double standard is indeed sexist, and has seriously got to go.

[Genepool 224]

With any medium, it is truly an ever evolving world.  Anyone can take a look at various aspects of life and apply an almost dynamic trait of growth. 

 

Cooking is one example where I believe it was predominantly male driven for guys to become chefs.  Though that is still a given where people may think "guy/male" when you use the term chef, it is changing.  There have been several challengers for the Iron Chef competition, in the United States, that were female.  Despite none of them making it, that gives a small hint the field of culinary arts is changing from a generally perceived stereotype of being male oriented. 

 

Nursing is another field where it was solely driven by women.  In today’s age, you won’t find it uncommon to see a male nurse.  Though I’m betting there are more female than male nurses, the gender barrier is really being broken down and only helps to solidify the idea that our world is changing.  Probably for the best I might add since we can learn so much more if we work together instead of isolating ourselves.

 

It’s thanks to Lauren Faust and others like her that shows once considered girly can really shine, providing entertainment to us viewers.  Still remember watching the first episode of Power Puff Girls, thinking this was pretty interesting.  Same went for shows like Sailor Moon where it was girl stuff, yet had that touch, that "interesting" touch, for male viewers. 

 

I truly hope to see MLPFIM continue on such a great path, paved by writers willing to take the time and effort to make something they love.  In all honesty, I want to see this show reach even more magnificent heights than it has now.  Though it might not happen, I would love to see this show reach 8 wonderful seasons, spanning across 10 years before the show eventually reaches a series finale.

Edited December 8, 2012 by Genepool

[Chaotic☆Cupcake 24]

The term "masculinity" has changed so much through the years it's almost ridiculous when you take a good look back at how it was before stereotypes: Pink was considered manly for being a diluted red color until the 30's-40's, and way back further in ancient Greek culture a man crying was considered to be a form of manliness; crying for the death of someone or your people meant you actually gave a crap. Yet fast forward years into the future and you have the words "gay" and "manliness" thrown around so much that their original meanings are all but gone. (How the heck "Gay" went from meaning "good ol' happy time" to "queer" to "stupid" still drives me mad to this day) I don't care what "manliness" means now or what it will mean tomorrow; no matter what people say- biased stereotypical hate over something just because it's either cute or somewhat girly is NOT manliness. I don't care if you dislike things, but to say straight men can't be considered manly for watching a "girl's show" and that they're all just furries or sick perverted geeks with no girlfriends is ludicrous. Next they'll say the only people that play Tomb Raider are manly men who pay good money just to watch Lara Croft jump up and down - they've created an awful stereotype of men in general.

 

But what really gets to me is that the main reason MLPFiM is considered a "girl's show" is because the characters are girl ponies - that's it. Why is this such a problem? It's not like the ponies are dealing with girl problems like boyfriends or periods every episode. The only episode I can think of that relates to girl problems is the "Galloping Gala" and that only applied to Rarity; the other ponies were busy trying to get attention and capture animals in nets. If the ponies were humans with giant breasts like Lara Croft would it be considered "manly"? Or how about male stallions with guns? No one in the history of ever considered that maybe a few gay men watched He-Man for his looks. And Marvel characters wore tights - there you go.

 

I really hate the stereotype, I really do. I don't want to be told how I'm considered "masculine" just for what music I listen to, what movies I watch, or what games I play. Sadly, the only way to avoid stereotypes is to just ignore them, but at least no one is telling you that you can't.

[RockinRarity 1,605]

It's not like the ponies are dealing with girl problems like boyfriends or periods every episode.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

You just made my day right there. Ponies dealing with their periods sounds like something out of a really bad fanfic.

 

Although, if you think about it... cutie marks could be compared to periods in the real world... because when girls are in middle school they talk about who got their period when a lot.

 

OK, I really hope that I didn't ruin the show for anyone, lol

[Jemboi 127]

Sexism and ageism are both huge components in the discrimination of harmless bronies. We're all supposed to play our role in society. Stay within the bubble. Don't break the mold. Different is dangerous. A boy watching MLP? Scandalous! A man watching MLP? Dangerous and creepy! I am 31 years old and a proud brony. Sure, I don't look my age but I digress. I be rocking my pony swag whenever I go out. I'm not ashamed nor should anyone else be. It doesn't matter what's between your legs or how old you are. If it makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone else, then that's all that matters. To hell with the rest. I think it's very sad that our community spends so much time on the haters. They don't matter and shouldn't receive so much of our attention. This is a place to celebrate the fantastic MLP FIM with our fellow bronies, without fear or prejudice. Let's get back to that. And the truth is, there will always be ignorance and no amount of dissection will ever make sense of it. Stupid is as stupid does.

Edited December 12, 2012 by Jemboi

[Shade 2]

you....are actuelly right on the money about haters being sexist good post very true because alot of my friends thinkthat that mlp is just ment for little girls but i tell them over and over that its meant for ALL AGES!

[MulberrySprig 4]

I definitely think sexism plays a hefty role in this matter.

A friend (guy) of mine is a big transformers fan, and I'm (girl) a brony.

He squeals (yes.) in resistance when I try to get him to try the series, because it's a girls show.

I work at a toy store, and had a very depressing moment when I was talking to a customer about our pony merc. and she said that her husband's coworker is into the show, and consiquently said coworker is not allowed to spend time around her daughter. It blew me away that without any other reason, and despite my avocation for the show, she refused to see this man as anything other than a pedophile because he likes MLP. It broke my heart.
I try to love and tolerate, but I'm a fighter of a pony, and things like this get me riled and hurt. It's unjust, unfair, and untrue.

YES there are exceptions to every rule, but pedophiles and rule 34s exist for every series, not just MLP. The only other thing I can think of to blame is hefty sexism.

This is the difference: A woman watching transformers, few would bat an eye. But a man watching ponies? Something is sick, twisted, and wrong with him.

Oh yeaaah. No sexism there....T_T

[bunnybuzki 45]

A huge element of it is subconscious sexism. Why is Transformers a cool movie trilogy and it's still totally radical to love Ninja Turtles? The only reason I get any slack for the show is becuase it's cute, and I'm a girl who had pony dolls growing up (that is actually why I initially hated the new show, I was very attached to my childhood toys and think the new toys look anorexic). I can convince my brother and boyfriend to watch the original hasbro cartoons about their favorite toys but not mine, yet those were not my toys. It's the same deal, woman-stuff is dirty and embarassing and we should all be ashamed. 

 

Now is it all homophobia and all sexism? No! And I don't appreciate the generalizations of haters being ultra-religious homophobes. Every person is capable of demonizing another group of people, and attacking religious people is really just doing the same thing. 

 

I work at a toy store, and had a very depressing moment when I was talking to a customer about our pony merc. and she said that her husband's coworker is into the show, and consiquently said coworker is not allowed to spend time around her daughter. It blew me away that without any other reason, and despite my avocation for the show, she refused to see this man as anything other than a pedophile because he likes MLP. It broke my heart.
I try to love and tolerate, but I'm a fighter of a pony, and things like this get me riled and hurt. It's unjust, unfair, and untrue.
 

 

That is soooo sad. It is so wrong to literally criminalize someone for liking something you aren't even willing to try. And honestly, does this woman just let the TV babysit her kid so she has never seen the show herself? That I cannot stand. She set herself as judge and jury for some minor line crossed. Actually, I'm pretty sure no other "kids" show would have that reaction. I can't see her labeling a man who likes Mickey Mouse or Charlie Brown or Doctor Seuss or Buzz Lightyear as a pedophile.

Society seems to allow girls to be into as many things regarded as masculine as they want for the most part without making a big deal out of it, women and girls being into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, Star Wars ect is seen as normal while boys and men being into things regarded as feminine like MLP are regarded as at best as either gay or overgrown man children who live in their parents basements and at worst as pedophiles. This double standard is indeed sexist, and has seriously got to go.

[Titan Rising 2,156]

sex·ism  

/ˈsekˌsizəm/

 

Noun

Prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex.

 

 

Well they're stereotyping something based on sex so I guess they are.  How about that.  The funny thing is I don't really care

Edited December 17, 2012 by Hollowshield

[AppleDashFan 36]

In most cases in society these days, people will try to find anything and everything to use against someone thus closing doors for them to see what something accually is and also acting or being sexist as in this case. They try to make fun of the guys who watch the show and are a part of the fandom. I believe they just don't want to admit that it would be something cool to try so they try to prove their point by making others suffer for watching it. I for one have met a lot of people like this. Either on youtube through downgrading comments and the show itself, or through everyday lifee in school and what-not. IMO i think they are too afraid to try something that is "Un-masculin" and try to make themselves believe it's pure feminine. But there are some who are sexist by nature.

[Shanks 10,816]

I work at a toy store, and had a very depressing moment when I was talking to a customer about our pony merc. and she said that her husband's coworker is into the show, and consiquently said coworker is not allowed to spend time around her daughter. It blew me away that without any other reason, and despite my avocation for the show, she refused to see this man as anything other than a pedophile because he likes MLP. It broke my heart.

I try to love and tolerate, but I'm a fighter of a pony, and things like this get me riled and hurt. It's unjust, unfair, and untrue.

That woman has obviously not watched the show which is especially bad considering that she was buying pony merch for her daughter. I plan to be a father someday and once that happens I am going to make sure I have at least a basic idea of what my kids are watching, since I am still into cartoons and anime and will probably never grow out of those it is very likely I will watch alot of stuff with them.

[Paleopony 705]

Most haters I know of are sexist like the video suggests, but some seem to hate bronies only because MLP is for kids and they think that cartoons should only be watched by kids, but they don't care about traditional gender roles like most haters.

[Evil Pink One 13,515]

Haters are haters period why are people ignoring the elephant in the room..... So what if they're sexist!? Focus on the real issue here! Hate..  if their sexist attitude is gone... Will the hate too? Maybe.. not really sure. BUT if the hate is gone EVERY negativity will too.

Hate is much more worse than sexist. hate is the root of it all. Hidden from plane sight.

Sexist, racist, anger, is the leaves and the flower that distracts you from it's cause.

Destroy the root you kill the plant.

[EpicEnergy 23,225]

I don't see the different between the two, so I think they are.

[Splashee 28,568]

@SBaby

Locking in accordance with our rule that disallows talk about controversial and/or political content.