Doing Gender in Heavy Metal by Anna S. Rogers Mathieu Deflem

Author:Anna S. Rogers, Mathieu Deflem [Anna S. Rogers, Mathieu Deflem]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Popular Culture, Women's Studies, Gender Studies
ISBN: 9781839981340
Google: 1t9EEAAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Anthem Press
Published: 2021-10-12T00:00:00+00:00

Being Woman in Heavy Metal

Two central themes emerged in the interviews with both men and women respondents with respect to the relevance of gender and the status of women in heavy metal: (1) there is a special need as a woman in heavy metal to prove oneself; and (2) women metalheads, more than men, have to rely on physical markers or symbols to emphasize that they too are fans of the genre and belong to the subculture.

Theme 3: Women in heavy metal face a special need to prove themselves. The theme of women metalheads having to prove themselves as members of the heavy metal community jumped out from the interviews as among the most prevalent findings of our study. This finding readily conforms to our perspective of heavy metal as a homosocial environment that is dominated by men. But it is additionally noteworthy to observe that the interview respondents, both the women and the men, are themselves also aware of this gender issue. Explicitly asked if the metal scene was dominated by men and hypermasculine in nature, almost all participants unequivocally answered in the affirmative. Sometimes, the homosocial character of heavy metal was implied, such as when Victor said he would “like to see more females.” And at least one respondent, Susan, described the heavy metal subculture as made up of “mostly males” even when she was only asked to provide a general description.

In view of heavy metal’s generally acknowledged hypermasculinity, the majority of women participants in the interviews felt that they needed to do some form of “proving” in order to be accepted into the group. For example, Kelly said that as a woman in heavy metal, “you have to know what you’re talking about, know the bands.” Pam similarly stated that a woman in metal will be accepted “if you can prove your [sic] not just listening to be cool.” The most distinct requirement on the part of women metalheads to demonstrate that they deserve to belong and be accepted in the metal community relates to having an expert knowledge of the musical genre. As Kathy argued, as a woman “you gotta know the bands.” Even when one’s gender was not seen as relevant, respondents realize that it might matter to others and hence, paradoxically, was relevant nonetheless. Asked if her gender mattered in being accepted in metal, Nicole stated, “Personally I could give a fuck what others think of me. That’s their problem, not mine.”

The most detailed responses on the subject of women metalheads needing to prove themselves came from respondents Sarah and Nicole. “Our intentions are doubted until we ‘prove’ ourselves worthy,” Sarah stated. She continued, “I’m occasionally asked where my boyfriend is, supposedly under the assumption that I wouldn’t be at a heavy metal show out of my own interest. In fact, many of us have to show a masculine side to be more accepted by some… Though having to prove that every time gets very tedious after a while.” Nicole likewise argued that “some girls are there to make gaga eyes at the band members but a lot of them are there for the music.

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