Dreaded Double-Standard II: Bashin’ Boogaloo

[ringing_phone]

Awhile back, I posted an essay about double standards against female characters and characters newly-introduced to a long-running series, giving examples of popular characters being praised for the same things that get them bashed. But

Comments

[moon_doggy]

I totally agree with you on the child rant. When has it become a crime for little kids to act... well, like little kids?

The only fandom that I really hang around in, "Yoroiden Samurai Troopers" (or Ronin Warriors in the USA), has a very horrible double standard with children. The two biggest victims, a boy named Jun (or Ullie/Ulye/whatever else) and Suzunagi.

Jun (being 7-8 years old) is a sweet, highly-idealistic, loyal to a fault kid that really wants to help the main heroes with their fight to combat evil (something that normal, everyday little kids would tend to think about; helping out and being like the older people). This running off with total disregard to what others say dose land him is quite a bit of danger (almost kills him in one episode). Fans end up flaming and bashing the kid; from "annoying" to "why don't the bad-guys just kill the kid, he sucks". But, when the Ryou (the older, main hero) dose the same act... he revered as being chivalrous, caring and wonderful.

Suzunagi (also 7-8) is a kind, very loyal to a fault, astute little girl (well, the ghost of a little girl) who's trying to blow-up the main heroes with her powers. The reason is because she believes the powers the heroes hold is the reason why her parents had to suffer and die (who she loves above everything else). So, she's trying to get revenge at this 'power' by 'hurting' it. In her mind, there's only a black and white way of thinking (we all know at lease one, completely normal 7-8 year old that is like this). Because of this, she's bashed as being "annoying", "a spoiled brat" and/or "stupid". But, when the completely hot, male older, main bad-guys try to get revenge... they're awesome.

The only crime Jun and Suzunagi has ever done to these fan-girls... acting their chronological age.