I was reading Ilie Nastase’s autobiography and it occurred to me when he mentioned teenage girls screaming when he walked around tennis tournaments that you never see teenage males screaming at sportswomen, female singers and actresses who could be perceived as idols.
Historically – especially with bands like The Beatles, The Stones; various male sports stars and actors – why do women react the way they do with impassioned screams etc?
I don’t know the exact reasons for it, but it is definitely pack mentality. Just the same as shouting and cheering.
For instance, imagine you are at a grand slam final between Nadal/Federer BUT it’s a private game with just you as the only spectator. Would you feel quite so determined to shout ‘allez Roger’ if you were sat there on your tod? Actually, you probably would complete with Toblerone hat and cow bell, however, it’s normally a reaction to excitement and stress, letting the opponents/popstars know you care just as much as all the others shouting/screaming.
It’s like laughing at the telly, we laugh very differently and far more animatedly when in company. Humans mirror behaviour all the time..you will do it on the tube without even noticing it.
I guess screaming teenage girls specifically maybe a tension release, a way to vent what are very strong emotions even if it is a mere crush. No different really to what goes on in a football crowd..making up chants, screaming, swearing and generally being fanatical.
It probably all goes back to long gone gender attraction roles ie males now looking for pursuits to dump excess testosterone instead of hunting and women trying to attract the attention of a mate that will ensure her safety.
I’m ashamed to say I remember my Mum and her sisters behaving ridiculous when Nastase was playing, it was all pretty good natured as they were in our living room and he was on the telly. If he had been in the room I’m sure it would have got very nasty never mind screaming
Edit- another point I forgot – teenage girls and their celebrity crushes are a far more an emotional experience than it is for boys. Girls use all this as practice for the relationships they will have in time. Boys however it tends to be more ..er..physical with no emotional attachment. A boy may have endless posters the same as a girl, but the girl will know every single thing about her ‘target’ you only have to see the endless ‘what’s your favourite biscuit’ in teen magazines aimed at girls. Hence, if you are a teenage girl in a crowd and you see what you believe to be the love of your life..someone screams and catches his attention, an "I love him more" competition starts and before you know it they are sobbing and getting generally overwrought.