Furry stereotype

2011-03-27T02:38:14Z

KiyaraSabel: /* Stereotypes within the fandom, by the fandom */

{{copyedit}}
The [[furry]] subculture is subject to intense '''stereotyping''', as many subcultures are. Stereotypes can arise from virtually any facet of a group or demographic, depend partly on trends within the demographic, and are usually formed from the experiences and biases of the viewer or their friends.

Some furry stereotypes have more than a grain of truth to them; however, many others fail to hold up under closer scrutiny of furry [[:Category:People|fans]] and [[:Category:Culture|culture]].

== Stereotypes ==
[[Image:ShawnKellerTypicalFurryFan.png|right|thumb|208px|A "typical furry fan" from [[Shawn Keller]]'s ''[[Horrifying Look at the Furries]]'']]
Furry fandom member demographics have traditionally mixed with the worlds of [[science fiction]], fantasy, computing, and video gaming. The stereotype of the [[furry fan]] or [[furry artist]] often bears a close resemblance to the stereotype of the nerd and/or geek: a hairy, overweight (usually) [[male]], often unwashed, and living in his parents' basement while surfing for [[pornography]] on the Internet.

The particulars of furry fandom and culture involve fewer common interests, and what outsiders frequently consider strange, unusual, or bizarre takes on the wider fantasy and [[funny animal]] genre. This has led to the furry stereotype being presented as much more extreme than typical geeks. For example, one list of some extra stereotypical points that have often been attached to furry fandom would paint most furries as:

=== General ===
==== Appearance or orientation ====
* Overweight
* Usually homely or ugly
* [[Gay]] or [[bisexual]]

==== Paraphilias ====
* [[Zoophile|Zoophilia]]
* [[Plushophile|Plushophilia]]
* [[Zoot-sex|Fursuit sex]]
* [[Wikipedia:Pedophilia|Pedophilia]]

==== Social interaction ====
* [[Wikipedia:Misanthropy|misanthropic]], Socially inept, unpopular
* Uneducated, still holding a [[Wikipedia:Mcjob|low prestige job]] as they get older

==== Female gender ====
* No females on the fandom
* No females artists on the fandom
* All females in the furry fandom are fat and ugly

=== Artists ===
* Unable to draw to at the same skill level as non-furry artists
* Art of a [[W:pornography|pornographic]] nature only
* [[Cub]] art as a gateway media to [[W:Child porn|Child porn]]
* No professional (non-furry) artists in the fandom
** If so, will be [[Furry blacklist|blacklisted]] soon...
**...And/or will start to draw porn for money/attention

=== Site or locales ===

==== Furry conventions ====
* There is never been a well planned/fun one
* They just cater to [[Babyfurs]], [[Zoophiles]], [[Lifestyler]]s, Plushophiles, and Pedophiles
* Participants just go for the gay sex/art/marital aids
* Participants just go for the underage gay sex
* Participants just go for the drugs/alcohol
* They [[spooge]] all over the place, specially elevators
* The staff are/were: All retarded, power hungry, clueless, other.
* All cons have the worse customer service.

These common portrayals of the fandom are based on several factors, such as the apparent larger than average percentage of individuals in it who are gay, bi, lesbian, or [[transsexual]] - a point which itself is debated within the fandom. Of course, the image of a social furry fan who has mostly mainstream, unremarkable interests and hobbies is not as titillating to sensationalism seekers in the general public, or groups such as [[Something Awful]].

Even when people who are furries happen to pursue [[erotic]] art, engage in activities like sexual [[plushophilia]], or are [[furry lifestyler|lifestylers]], many are really much more responsible for themselves and the impression they give of the fandom than those who dig for examples to support stereotypes might admit.

No matter how many fans there are who would fit the image of an unremarkable and less controversial Furry fan, there remain those who take part in less common activities, exhibit outrageous or unwise behavior, or provide a relatively rare fit with the most extreme stereotypes. These have, more often than not, been singled out and held up as symbolic of furry fandom.

== Lashing back ==

Fans who are frustrated by stereotyping often believe that this is all it takes to prove the stereotype to "outsiders". Other furries have asserted that this fear is responsible for "witch hunts" within the Furry community, including attempts to repress or drive away people percieved as undesirable before they become noticed.

Another view put forth by other Furry fans and some persons outside the fandom is that the enterprise of collecting, advertising, or reinforcing stereotypes is often carried out by individuals who would also fit a number of parallel stereotypes about genre fans, Internet users, and geek culturists. This view has led some to dismiss the entire topic, especially when it relates to online activities, as geeks battling geeks in a war to one-up each other with negative propaganda.

== Stereotypes within the fandom, by the fandom ==

There are also stereotypes within the furry fandom itself. Some of these are external stereotypes, circulated by furry fans who wish to distance themselves from the unpopular image of furries or hold them up for criticism (see ''[[Skunk (comic)|Skunk]]'', ''[[Horrifying Look at the Furries]]'', and the [[Burned Furs]]).

Other stereotypes are specific to the internal culture of the fandom. Since the Furry genre places emphasis on animal characteristics, certain popular stereotypes are based on the favored [[species]] association of a given individual, especially among fans who have a [[personal furry]] or role-play frequently. The stereotypical attributes that a certain creature bestows on a person may or may not be based on the accurate behavior of the real animal; metaphorical and mythological traits are fair game.

In the instance of creatures which are mythological to begin with, their attributed behavior might be inspired more by fandom conventions than traditional mythologies and stories.

It should be noted that many fans circulate and use species stereotypes as humorous cliches which are not intended to cause offense. It is common for Furry fans to examine themselves to see where they fit within the list of supposed behaviors.

Some examples of species-related stereotypes include, but are not limited to:

* [[Dragon]]s are pretentious, attempt to appear wise and cultured, and often follow a [[wonky]] form of mysticism. More recently, they've been perceived as being "derpy" If female, they are fangirls of [[Wikipedia:Anne McCaffrey|Anne McCaffrey]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Dragonriders of Pern|Pern]]''.
* [[Unicorn]]s are aristocratic, and prideful about their appearance.
* [[Equine]]s are "size queens", into bondage and [[Wikipedia:Pony play|pony play]].
* [[Male]] [[fox]]es are frequently gay or bi, overly sexualized and submissive, and are an overexposed choice of character.
* [[Female]] foxes and [[vixen]]s are usually male players, even more overly sexualized, and not bright.
* [[Gryphon]]s are obsessed fans of [[Wikipedia:Mercedes Lackey|Mercedes Lackey]] fiction and can be capricious.
* [[Rabbit]]s are neurotic and paranoid, or are sexually promiscuous, and often enjoy being [[vorarephilia|edible]].
* [[Wolves]] behave like alpha males, arrogant and expecting to be treated as leaders. Alternately, they are sometimes purported to act like big foxes.
* [[Husky|Huskies]] are the new foxes, but more dominant.
* [[Raccoon]]s are seen as antisocial and bi-sexual. Some see raccoons as sneaky thieves who steal at every chance they get.
* [[Cat]]s are seen as clean and sometimes prissy, bordering on the noble class.
* [[Squirrel]]s are jittery and hyperactive.
* [[Hyena]]s are seen as insane, loud, aggressive, overtly sexual.

== See also ==

* [[Wikipedia:Stereotypes|Stereotypes]] on [[Wikipedia]]

Terms:
* [[Drama]]
* [[Furfag]]
* [[Skunkfucker]]
* [[Fursecution]]

Sites:
* [[CYD]]
* [[Vivisector (website)|Vivisector]]
* [[LOLfurries]]
* [[Furfags.com]]

[[Category:Culture]]
{{featured article}}

Popufur

2011-01-08T01:23:58Z

KiyaraSabel:

'''Popufur''' is a [[furspeech]] term that means a popular person within the [[furry fandom]]. It is a [[Wikipedia:Portmanteau|portmanteau]] of the words [[Wikipedia:Popularity|popular]] and [[furry]] (or perhaps [[fursona]]).

It is sometimes used in a negative or derogatory connotation, in which case a "popufur" is implied to be one who is rich, famous, adored and/or otherwise notable in the fandom(often successful solely because of the fandom), but acts superior or indifferent to other members of the fandom(incliuding their fans), sometimes even dismissive or derisive of the fandom as a whole.

==Other Uses==

It can also refer to Popufur.com, the website for [[FA Rank]].

[[Category:Furspeech terms]]

WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Furry stereotype

Popufur