Movie sagas, pop music and other elements of pop culture significantly impacted different generations. In the 1990s, rom-coms were in high demand and singers like Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson were popular among listeners. In the 2000s, Marvel launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Taylor Swift began her career singing country music.
These artists never expected to create such a significant impact amongst their fans, and in time, the connection between artists and their audiences grew into a community, or even a family.
People found places where they could share similar interests and passions for art and artists without feeling alone or embarrassed by what they love. Instead, they shared a sense of belonging with groups of fans who had the same passions, often leading to new friendships.
Today, being a part of a group brings a sense of belonging, where people accept one another as they are and share the same taste in movies, music and TV shows. This group is now popularly called a fandom.
Young adults often hold tightly to these communities, finding a safe place in a fandom, where they do not feel judged for their interests. Instead, they accepted more of themselves and built strong friendships out of it.
Kayla Jean Madrid, junior creative writing major, explained why many young adults connect so deeply with artists and movies characters.
“I believe that our generation connects deeply with performers and characters due to the fact that they can either relate to them,” Madrid said. “I feel like we get inspired by them.”
Besides building friendships and a community, being part of a fandom could also help people discover more about themselves. Caroline Houck, junior double major in philosophy and English, shares her perspective.
“I think being able to be a part of something in general lets people act like themselves. When you’re in a group of people with the same interests as you, like enjoying the same movies, TV shows, or songs, it lets you come out of your shell because all these people have it in common with you,” Houck said. “To grow closer with someone in that way allows you to be yourself more. But I think it can also make you question things about yourself and think about topics that you’ve never thought about before.”
However, fandoms also brought challenges. Dr. Angela Deulen, professor of psychology, explained why people should not rely on fandoms to shape identity.
“Building your identity on Christ provides a sense of purpose that is more stable and enduring than a fandom. If your identity is built on a fan phenomenon, then your identity is only as strong as the object of your fandom. When that person or thing fails, it guts your identity and you are left with very little,” Deulen said. “That type of devastating blow to one’s identity can be very difficult to recover from. A fandom-related identity is probably fun but provides the individual with a false sense of self.”
Deulen also emphasized the importance of setting focus on the right things.
“We are called to be confirmed by Christ, not the world. We become from the inside out, what we choose to pay attention to… where we set our focus,” Deulen said. “Fascination with fandom only results in conformity to the world and can never result in conformity to Christ, where real sanctification, healing, joy and peace abide.”
In the end, fandoms could bring good moments and introduce people to new friends, but it is also important to fulfill life in Christ and live for His purpose. People come and go, but the Lord remains the only constant presence in every step. While fandoms are fun and harmless if enjoyed in balance, His love is the only thing that will hold people together and make the world a better place.
