Written Analysis 2

Written Analysis 2

Taylor Alexandria Carroll

Popular Culture

Professor Garey

4/17/16

Written Analysis 2 - Rituals and Stereotypes

            The topic I've chosen to discuss for my written analysis is the My Little Pony fandom. This fandom has been the butt of many jokes based on stereotypes. These stereotypes range from the appearance of fans, how fans conduct themselves, and the gender of fans. As for rituals, many bronies attend conventions, and watch the My Little Pony show as soon as it is available. 

            A recent study was conducted on the demographic of the brony community to try and combat some of the stereotypes. One such stereotype is that brony fans are homosexual, and predominantly male. The study found that 84 percent of bronies described themselves as heterosexual. However, it also found that 86 percent of bronies were male. This doesn't mean that females do not exist in the fandom, they just exist in a smaller numbers.

            Another stereotype bronies have found themselves battling is the thought that many of them are of an older age. This was disproven by the study, and the average age of a brony was found to be 21 years old. They did find that the age ranges were quite broad though, with the youngest age being 14, to the oldest age being 57.

            Some of the brony rituals include watching the show immediately when new episodes are released, and attending My Little Pony conventions. These conventions are held all over the world, with a convention in Baltimore holding the highest attendance. The 2015 attendance for "BronyCon" was 10,011. This convention boasts many different attractions, and is held every year. This ritual draws bronies from all over the globe for art, voice actors, and the company of friends.

            Stereotypes and rituals are a driving force in the brony community. They hold the community together in ways that may be seen as negative, however, it brings bronies closer together. Fighting stereotypes, and bullies is what My Little Pony is all about. Although it may be hurtful, the brony community finds themselves closer because of it.

References

Browne, R. B. (2005). Profiles of popular culture: A reader. Madison, WI: University of   Wisconsin Press.

Petracca, M., & Sorapure, M. (1998). Common culture: Reading and writing about American popular culture. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Study Results. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2016, from http://www.bronystudy.com/id1.html

Truitt, B. (2012, November 26). 'My Little Pony' plants a hoof in pop culture. Retrieved April 06, 2016, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2012/11/26/my-little-pony/1725375/