Person Destroys The ‘Women Didn’t Grow Up On Star Wars The Way Men Did’ Myth With A Badass Real Life Example
Yes, there are women who are into Star Wars, and some people can’t believe we’re still having this conversation. If you’re wondering why it’s come up again, it’s because fans are annoyed after Cosmopolitan printed a Star Wars 101 article that’s so fluffy and patronizing it’s kind of hard to believe it’s real. This Twitter user spotted the article that basically implies that millennial women—yes, that would be women in their 20s and 30s—would only potentially be interested in the series for the opportunity to lust after brooding villains (and have no cultural references from before 2010, for some weird reason. Who talks like this?)
This Cosmo article had people rolling their eyes
Image credits: PlayWithJambo
The tired article reminded the internet of a couple of years ago, when people were surprised by the proportion of women, over 40% of opening night audiences, turning up to see new Star Wars releases, and the internet argued that while the introduction of some new heroines might have driven statistics up a bit, this was no new phenomenon.
Image credits: ihatealexd
Our favorite picture to pull out when anyone questions whether women in fandom are a new trend is this awesome picture that an old-school Star Wars fan posted of a teenage girl posing in a costume that she made just after the release of the very first Star Wars film, A New Hope. Early cosplayers didn’t have many references to work with before the age of the internet, which makes her dedication especially impressive.
A Tumblr user shared this awesome vintage cosplay pic
The picture drew comments from people for whom, regardless of gender, Star Wars and other sci-fi series were big parts of their childhoods. We think “not understanding statistics well” nails it… science fiction history scholars say that even in the 1940s, with the rise of printed science fiction, polls indicated that between 40% and 50% of readers were women. Doesn’t look that different from the amount of young women heading to theaters to see Star Wars 75 years later. The conclusion? Humans just like fiction, so let’s retire this stereotype that geeky women are a rare species.
Here’s what commenters had to say
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Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
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Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
Image credits: Cwierwi
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I love star wars sci fi is my favourite genre. I'd don 't know why some men think that's most women not know star wars.
It's just a lie invented so they can keep all the good stuff to themselves. Hah!
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What is a Fact is Nerds were actually Nerds back then it wasn't seen as cool at all
Not true! It wasn't nerdy at all to like Star Wars until decades after the first film came out! I was a kid in the 1970s and 80s, and Star Wars was definitely a cool-kids thing. Preferring Star Trek was kind of "nerdy" tho :)
Load More Replies... That's okay. I grew up on Star Trek, bieeeech! ♥ (joke, both are good franchises, although I personally do prefer the trekky)
I'm a Trekky, too! I like Star Wars okay, but I love me some Star Trek!
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It is almost 2020, people need to understand that... Girls can be fan of anything they like, sci-fi, warcraft, DoTA, it is not uncommon at all. Same goes for boys, we also love soap opera, love drama, cooking, and TWICE.
Excuse me, but my parents didn't stand 2 hours in line at a theater in Seattle in '77 for their young daughter to be anything but a Star Wars junkie. Without that movie, I wouldn't have watched reruns of Star Trek, New episodes of Star Trek: Next Gen - Voyager - Deep Space Nine (super sad about Rene Auberjonois passing away), Battlestar Galactica (Loved Dirk Benedict), Firefly, Battle Beyond the Stars, Fifth Element, Last Starfighter, Aliens, and any other movie associated with space..(And yes..that includes Spaceballs.) Someone needs to shoot this moron into space, preferably towards a black hole with a pissy violent alien planet on the other side.
I saw Star Wars five times in the theater and Empire Strikes Back 20 times! Empire played so long they had a one-year birthday party for it at my local theater. I grew up behind a strip mall and our little gang could walk to the theater and pay $2 to watch Star Wars (.99 cents on Tuesdays!) Everyone was obsessed with Star Wars in the 70s/80s. It wasn't uncool to like Star Wars ... until Return of the Jedi. :)
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Around 1980 my parents dressed up as Darth Vader and Princess Leia for a carnival party. Many years later I found out, at home she dressed up as slave Leia just for him. Both of them were really into Star Wars (and also Star Trek and other Sci fi).
Girl. Had lightsaber (made my own). Nerd. Proud of it since before 1977. Utterly baffled by this gender-twisting on all this...
Yeah, I totally don't remember how I watched the real first three movies as a child over and over again with my brother and wanting to be Han Solo instead of princess Leia about 30 years ago. I also don't remember playing with my toy X-Wing or pretending to be an ewok (of course I also don't remember watching the ewok movie). Totally never happened. *roll eyes*
OMG the ewok movie! I legit forgot about this. Going to go hunt it down now and show it to my kids. :D
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uughhh I actually tried reading that article in the picture and... ugh it's just ruined Star Wars
I am just here to say TJ's costume was very well made. TJ seems like a very talented and skilled person.
So... I named my so Luke (keep in mind I am romanian, living in Romania!) because of Star Wars!!! He is a padawan, my little future Force User. I am a single mom, obssessed with Star Wars (divorced his dad, who, like the great Darth Vader, ignores his child). So, am I the odd one out?
A woman invented cosplay ffs. https://www.racked.com/2016/5/9/11451408/cosplay-inventor-morojo-myrtle-r-douglas
My only comment is this: For those who know and appreciate Star Wars, take the time to read "The Foundation Trilogy", by Isaac Asimov, the literary work on which Star Wars was based.
I have loved, loved, loved the 1st Star Wars that came out-since I saw it--and WANTED to see it-1977. I am a woman.
the Star Wars series will always be in my top sci fi bundle-since the first movie when i discovered it in '77
I loooooved star wars in 5th grade i was completely obsessed!! >.< still like it now I gotta re-watch all the movies :P
ONe of the first movies I remember seeing in a theater was Empire strikes back... I was nt even 4 , but I remember it because we sat beneath the speakers and I laughed because my mom (who was blind) would duck every time a ship went across the screen.
My mum, who is almost 80 years old, made a rule that Star Trek (in reruns) was the only tv show that could be on during dinner because she loved it. I, almost 53 years old, I am the biggest Star Wars fan in my immediate family of mostly men and boys. I first saw it in a drive-in theatre when I was ten years old. It didn’t take me long until I had a lightsaber made out of an old broom handle painted light blue. People can f*** right off with that ‘women aren’t sci-fi fans’ bulls***.
I read nothing but fantasy and sci fi books and my BMW is white and black with Sith Life in the back window, a Stormtrooper emblem where the M3 should be and kill patches of x-wing fighters on my front flanks..sooooo
What is Cosmo? Princess Leah was a STRONG role model for thousands and thousands of girls who saw that being a princess could mean more than pink fluff. Being a princess means being a LEADER, a politician, a fighter, a boss.
What a bunch of Bantha Poodoo! We girls love Star Wars! I still remember the look of shock on the faces of the boys in my class when they realize I knew just as much if not more about Star Wars than them.
For Halloween 'way back when the first movie came out, I got a Simplicity pattern for a robe with bell sleeves, and sewed up the Princess Leia outfit. Bought two ponytails from a wig shop to make the hair "bagels" that she had. Couldn't hear a damn thing all night with those things on.
Well, Cosmopolitan was never known for its witty, thought-provoking, or empowering writing. Isn't this the magazine that constantly feature articles like "50 Kama Sutra moves that are sure to put the spice back in your loving" and "Does your horoscope predict that you're going to be a Spinster?" Heck, love what makes you happy. It is as plain and simple as that. I grew up reading fantasy novels and really enjoy Star Wars, Marvel, and the like.
I'm happy that cosmo is closing down in Finland. Women, especially young women, don't need that s**t.
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*Some* men just don't understand that "WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT"! What some women don't understand or care about at all, other women go completely crazy over. Typically, women who like Star Wars probably aren't much into Barbie, but then again there are lots of exceptions to every "rule" in existence
Why can't you like both? I had a homemade cardboard lightsaber and a Barbie Dreamhouse!
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I was princess leia for halloween as a 10 year old. my mom bought be a nerf gun for the costume. I still have it. shoot annoying people with it occasionally.
These guys are INSANEEEE! Last year for Halloween I went as Kylo Ren. The year before that I went as Dustin (stranger things) the year before THAT I was Thor. When I was 7 i went as Leia and this year im making my own costume for Enfys Nest. WOMEN LOVE SCI-FI. (not everyone tho)
I think you better check TJ's closet.. Something tells me there's a knocked out Resistance pilot missing their uniform in their... And maybe an X-Wing in the backyard!
LOAN BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS ONLINE FREE OF CHARGE A VERY DYNAMIC TEAM TO THE TASK. Need I say more a hand to quit a financial stalemate that has lasted for a while because of your bank's refusal for a loan or financing, no problem even if you are stuck in your country and do not have access to financing leave an email : greniernathalie1@yahoo.com To know the conditions of granting loans and financing from major European banks without harassment and say goodbye to your financial problems. Note the areas in which we can help you to carry out your projects or break the deadlock. * Financial * Real estate loans * Investment loans Ps: Know that we work to your satisfaction, you can follow your file to know its evolution.
I've ALWAYS loved sci-fi. Star Wars: Episodes 4&6 were my favorites growing up. I've seen EVERY Star Trek episode and movie ever made. I've watched every episode of the Doctor Who reboot (couldn't get into the original series). If it involves space travel, I'll probably watch it.
The author is not a he; she's a she. And anyone who was there knows that girls were into the original Star Wars just as much as boys. At least they were at my schools in the 1970s and 80s. But super corny/cheesy Empire Strikes Back ruined it for everybody. That's when everybody but diehards (like my sister) jumped ship.
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People are different and like different things. Suprisingly people do not watch movies with their genitals. They watch them with their eyes and process them with their brains. Since both "species" have eyes and brains - it's possible eyes and brains to be used in similar manner. Why on earth men came with the idea genitals impact all body functions and abilities. Pls explain me how a d**k helps you to be better at math than me, send pics if possible, I'm extremely curious a man to finally reveal the know-how of calculating on a d**k.
Load More Replies...
I love star wars sci fi is my favourite genre. I'd don 't know why some men think that's most women not know star wars.
It's just a lie invented so they can keep all the good stuff to themselves. Hah!
Load More Replies... What is a Fact is Nerds were actually Nerds back then it wasn't seen as cool at all
Not true! It wasn't nerdy at all to like Star Wars until decades after the first film came out! I was a kid in the 1970s and 80s, and Star Wars was definitely a cool-kids thing. Preferring Star Trek was kind of "nerdy" tho :)
Load More Replies... That's okay. I grew up on Star Trek, bieeeech! ♥ (joke, both are good franchises, although I personally do prefer the trekky)
I'm a Trekky, too! I like Star Wars okay, but I love me some Star Trek!
Load More Replies... It is almost 2020, people need to understand that... Girls can be fan of anything they like, sci-fi, warcraft, DoTA, it is not uncommon at all. Same goes for boys, we also love soap opera, love drama, cooking, and TWICE.
Excuse me, but my parents didn't stand 2 hours in line at a theater in Seattle in '77 for their young daughter to be anything but a Star Wars junkie. Without that movie, I wouldn't have watched reruns of Star Trek, New episodes of Star Trek: Next Gen - Voyager - Deep Space Nine (super sad about Rene Auberjonois passing away), Battlestar Galactica (Loved Dirk Benedict), Firefly, Battle Beyond the Stars, Fifth Element, Last Starfighter, Aliens, and any other movie associated with space..(And yes..that includes Spaceballs.) Someone needs to shoot this moron into space, preferably towards a black hole with a pissy violent alien planet on the other side.
I saw Star Wars five times in the theater and Empire Strikes Back 20 times! Empire played so long they had a one-year birthday party for it at my local theater. I grew up behind a strip mall and our little gang could walk to the theater and pay $2 to watch Star Wars (.99 cents on Tuesdays!) Everyone was obsessed with Star Wars in the 70s/80s. It wasn't uncool to like Star Wars ... until Return of the Jedi. :)
Load More Replies... Around 1980 my parents dressed up as Darth Vader and Princess Leia for a carnival party. Many years later I found out, at home she dressed up as slave Leia just for him. Both of them were really into Star Wars (and also Star Trek and other Sci fi).
Girl. Had lightsaber (made my own). Nerd. Proud of it since before 1977. Utterly baffled by this gender-twisting on all this...
Yeah, I totally don't remember how I watched the real first three movies as a child over and over again with my brother and wanting to be Han Solo instead of princess Leia about 30 years ago. I also don't remember playing with my toy X-Wing or pretending to be an ewok (of course I also don't remember watching the ewok movie). Totally never happened. *roll eyes*
OMG the ewok movie! I legit forgot about this. Going to go hunt it down now and show it to my kids. :D
Load More Replies... uughhh I actually tried reading that article in the picture and... ugh it's just ruined Star Wars
I am just here to say TJ's costume was very well made. TJ seems like a very talented and skilled person.
So... I named my so Luke (keep in mind I am romanian, living in Romania!) because of Star Wars!!! He is a padawan, my little future Force User. I am a single mom, obssessed with Star Wars (divorced his dad, who, like the great Darth Vader, ignores his child). So, am I the odd one out?
A woman invented cosplay ffs. https://www.racked.com/2016/5/9/11451408/cosplay-inventor-morojo-myrtle-r-douglas
My only comment is this: For those who know and appreciate Star Wars, take the time to read "The Foundation Trilogy", by Isaac Asimov, the literary work on which Star Wars was based.
I have loved, loved, loved the 1st Star Wars that came out-since I saw it--and WANTED to see it-1977. I am a woman.
the Star Wars series will always be in my top sci fi bundle-since the first movie when i discovered it in '77
I loooooved star wars in 5th grade i was completely obsessed!! >.< still like it now I gotta re-watch all the movies :P
ONe of the first movies I remember seeing in a theater was Empire strikes back... I was nt even 4 , but I remember it because we sat beneath the speakers and I laughed because my mom (who was blind) would duck every time a ship went across the screen.
My mum, who is almost 80 years old, made a rule that Star Trek (in reruns) was the only tv show that could be on during dinner because she loved it. I, almost 53 years old, I am the biggest Star Wars fan in my immediate family of mostly men and boys. I first saw it in a drive-in theatre when I was ten years old. It didn’t take me long until I had a lightsaber made out of an old broom handle painted light blue. People can f*** right off with that ‘women aren’t sci-fi fans’ bulls***.
I read nothing but fantasy and sci fi books and my BMW is white and black with Sith Life in the back window, a Stormtrooper emblem where the M3 should be and kill patches of x-wing fighters on my front flanks..sooooo
What is Cosmo? Princess Leah was a STRONG role model for thousands and thousands of girls who saw that being a princess could mean more than pink fluff. Being a princess means being a LEADER, a politician, a fighter, a boss.
What a bunch of Bantha Poodoo! We girls love Star Wars! I still remember the look of shock on the faces of the boys in my class when they realize I knew just as much if not more about Star Wars than them.
For Halloween 'way back when the first movie came out, I got a Simplicity pattern for a robe with bell sleeves, and sewed up the Princess Leia outfit. Bought two ponytails from a wig shop to make the hair "bagels" that she had. Couldn't hear a damn thing all night with those things on.
Well, Cosmopolitan was never known for its witty, thought-provoking, or empowering writing. Isn't this the magazine that constantly feature articles like "50 Kama Sutra moves that are sure to put the spice back in your loving" and "Does your horoscope predict that you're going to be a Spinster?" Heck, love what makes you happy. It is as plain and simple as that. I grew up reading fantasy novels and really enjoy Star Wars, Marvel, and the like.
I'm happy that cosmo is closing down in Finland. Women, especially young women, don't need that s**t.
Load More Replies... *Some* men just don't understand that "WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT"! What some women don't understand or care about at all, other women go completely crazy over. Typically, women who like Star Wars probably aren't much into Barbie, but then again there are lots of exceptions to every "rule" in existence
Why can't you like both? I had a homemade cardboard lightsaber and a Barbie Dreamhouse!
Load More Replies... I was princess leia for halloween as a 10 year old. my mom bought be a nerf gun for the costume. I still have it. shoot annoying people with it occasionally.
These guys are INSANEEEE! Last year for Halloween I went as Kylo Ren. The year before that I went as Dustin (stranger things) the year before THAT I was Thor. When I was 7 i went as Leia and this year im making my own costume for Enfys Nest. WOMEN LOVE SCI-FI. (not everyone tho)
I think you better check TJ's closet.. Something tells me there's a knocked out Resistance pilot missing their uniform in their... And maybe an X-Wing in the backyard!
LOAN BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS ONLINE FREE OF CHARGE A VERY DYNAMIC TEAM TO THE TASK. Need I say more a hand to quit a financial stalemate that has lasted for a while because of your bank's refusal for a loan or financing, no problem even if you are stuck in your country and do not have access to financing leave an email : greniernathalie1@yahoo.com To know the conditions of granting loans and financing from major European banks without harassment and say goodbye to your financial problems. Note the areas in which we can help you to carry out your projects or break the deadlock. * Financial * Real estate loans * Investment loans Ps: Know that we work to your satisfaction, you can follow your file to know its evolution.
I've ALWAYS loved sci-fi. Star Wars: Episodes 4&6 were my favorites growing up. I've seen EVERY Star Trek episode and movie ever made. I've watched every episode of the Doctor Who reboot (couldn't get into the original series). If it involves space travel, I'll probably watch it.
The author is not a he; she's a she. And anyone who was there knows that girls were into the original Star Wars just as much as boys. At least they were at my schools in the 1970s and 80s. But super corny/cheesy Empire Strikes Back ruined it for everybody. That's when everybody but diehards (like my sister) jumped ship.
Load More Replies... People are different and like different things. Suprisingly people do not watch movies with their genitals. They watch them with their eyes and process them with their brains. Since both "species" have eyes and brains - it's possible eyes and brains to be used in similar manner. Why on earth men came with the idea genitals impact all body functions and abilities. Pls explain me how a d**k helps you to be better at math than me, send pics if possible, I'm extremely curious a man to finally reveal the know-how of calculating on a d**k.
Load More Replies...
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