Furry Subculture Research Paper
Is the furry subculture here to stay?
The furry subculture is one interested in the personification of animal characters with human personalities and characteristics such as human intelligence and facial expressions, the ability to speak, walk on two legs, and wear clothes. Persons interested in the furry subculture form part of the furry fandom who are organized in communities around the world. This thesis seeks to explore if the furry fandom and subculture is indeed a reality and a phenomenon that is here to stay as a mainstream (Carlson)phenomenon.
To begin with, it is safe to state that the there is explicit evidence that the furry subculture is indeed a reality in this present day world and that anyone trying to refute this fact has really buried his or her head in the sand. It could be a case of acute ignorance or let us just blame it on misinformation or the lack of it. Today there are definitely many furriest communities that attest to this fact, they range from individuals to groups organized in communities especially on the internet platform.
Furry fandom can be traced back to the 1980s in science fiction conventions when discussions on anthropomorphic (personified) characters in science fiction novels took center stage resulting in the formation of discussion groups and forums on the subject in various science fiction and cartoon comics conventions. Successive years have seen the growth of the furry fandom with more and more anthropomorphic characters invented by both furriest and non-furriest. A good example being the many cartoon animation characters and artistic creations by various artists from around the world. (Bristow 205)
As indicated in the preceding parts of these theses a furry is a person interested in anthropomorphic animals and or creatures otherwise known as fursonas in the furry fandom world. They express their interest in various ways such as artistic impressions and role-play and performances based on the personified animal characters. This subset of people is however vied differently from both sides of the dived. While members of the furry fandom view themselves as completely normal and mainstream group of people with very sane interests the non-furry view them with lots of skeptism and a great deal of misunderstanding.
To many levelheaded people a furry is simply an individual exercising their rights and freedom to express them as they choose; they see no negativity in furry fandom and interests. They are viewed as individuals using their creative mind and god given talents to create artworks and roles that utilize personified animal characters to create entertaining as well as educating .This are the people who create cartoon comics, computer, and video games, animated movies that provided the much needed and sought after entertainment.
Some people also view those interested in the furry subculture as perverts trying to flip the very order of nature. To many, individuals who define their sexuality through furry fandom are just but perverts .Pornographic content based on personified animals is considered to promote bestiality a notion which is unacceptable to many especially people of religious convictions.
There is also the ethnic breakdown view on the non-furry people that a great number or rather the composition of the lager furry fandom is comprised of whites ,this propagates the notion that furry fandom is the domain of the white community with very few individuals from the an African persuasion. (Besio and Moss 12-18)
It is also widely believed that the furry fandom is also male dominated with very few females from different parts of the world showing any interest in the furry subculture.
Despite the above viewpoints, the furry subculture should not be viewed as a negative movement. Members of this fandom are simply exercising their freedom and rights just like any other individual. Like many things in life there can be said to be two sides of a coin. There surely exists a negative and a positive side to the furry subculture. At present, we are all mesmerized by computer and video games, not forgetting the many animation films that we seek to watch for entertainment purpose. We immerse ourselves in captivating storybooks that portray personified animal characters that educate and enlighten us. We should therefore view this members of our societies and their interests as beneficial to the society we live in however much their interests don’t match ours.
On the other hand, a negative furry subculture should be frowned upon at all costs. Pornography based on anthropomorphic animals and/or creatures is not acceptable and should not be used as a means of defining ones sexuality. A clear boundary should be maintained between the reality and science fiction .If the furry subculture positively impact the society then it can be said to be of importance to the society. (Jeansonne and Sherry Anne 17)
Those belonging to the furry subculture should not be viewed as totally different individuals, after all some of us have got likings to some of the many personified animal characters that form part of our daily life experience, presently the average adult in any modern society watches cartoon and animated movies with much appreciation of the personified characters , we are amused at humans dressed as certain animals whenever we check into the mall. We find no harm in buying our kids books and video games that depict personified animal character. We would probably have no Walt Disney without the many anthropomorphic animals and/or creatures we love to watch.
It is therefore honest to admit that while many of us might not identify ourselves as furry we on the other hand thrive from what the members of the furry subculture stand for they are part of us and the things they do and practice relate in one way or the other to our daily lives. This subset of our society should therefore be supported and given the space to be whom they are. It is high time the anti –furry conventions, forums and communities focus on the positive aspects of furry fandom that that affect positively on our society. (Wright 5-6)
Everyone needs to have a sense of belonging and so does every furry. Their need to organize themselves into communities and forming a subculture should not be viewed as retrogressive by anyone not subscribing to the same convictions. Remember that to many, the furry fandom is a source of business opportunity. The animated movie industry, the video game industry, and the many artistic professions generate millions of dollars annually as well as create employment to millions around the world
In conclusion, this theses aims to clearly point out that the furry subculture is here with us and is definitely going to stay. Though it escapes, our attention some of us can be considers to be furry while many of us directly or indirectly benefit from the furry subculture in many ways than we care to admit.
References
Besio, K and P Moss. "Introduction to ACME Special Issue." Journal for Critical … (2006): 21-22.
Bristow, Elizabeth. "Society & Animals." Society & Animals 19 (2011): 205.
Carlson, Marla. "Furry Cartography: Performing Species." Theatre Journal 63 (2011): 199-204.
Jeansonne and Sherry Anne. "BREAKING DOWN STEREOTYPES: A LOOK AT THE PERFORMANCE OF SELF-IDENTITY WITHIN THE FURRY COMMUNITY." THE FURRY COMMUNITY (2012): 65.
Wright, By Les K. All in the Name of Research: Crossing the Boundary Between Work and Play. london: Routledge, 2001.