2020/10/06 by Anna Madill, Yao Zhao · 2 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Casual #China #Demographics #Demography #Digital Games and Media #Gender studies #Gender, Feminism, and Media #Geography #Mainstream #Political science #Scrutiny #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology #Sociology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s12119-020-09783-9
openalex publication_date 2020/10/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Abstract Our aim is to compare comprehensive data on the engaged demographics of female-oriented male-male erotica in Anglophone regions and that of the greater China area. Our study constitutes the largest such data set in each region (Anglophone N = 1707; Chinese N = 1498). Data were analysed from our online Boys’ Love (BL) fandom survey: one version in English and an almost identical version in Chinese. We confirm that the engaged Anglophone demographic includes more men, people with a wider range of sexual orientations, lower proportion of heterosexual identification, and a wider and older age range. We provide greater detail than ever before and demonstrate engagement with BL by young straight men and questioning of sexual identity by female fans, at least in the Anglophone West. Finally, we provide novel evidence that a broad demographic of young people in the greater China area is familiar with BL as a casual interest in contrast to Anglophone regions where it is more of an intense and niche pass-time. We offer important insights into a global erotic entertainment by-and-for women which is influencing the mainstream but under increasing legislative scrutiny.