ABSTRACT
From Springsteen’s earliest work, women have been represented in his songs and have been present in his audiences. Prior work by Daniel Cavicchi and others opened the door to the distinct study of Springsteen fans, while broader fan studies suggest differences in women and men’s experience of and attitudes toward fandom in general. Drawing on perspectives from within psychology and sociology, the authors constructed an online survey of Springsteen’s women fans to explore what attracts them to Springsteen and what constitutes their “relationship” to him, as well as to address questions about Springsteen’s treatment of women, including possible sexism, in his writing. Women fans responses showed a complex and in-depth consideration of their relationship to Springsteen and his work, as well as nuanced views of Springsteen’s perspectives on women. Meaning-making, identity formation, and seeing Springsteen as a friend, teacher or guide in their lives were most important to women fans in terms of their relationship to him and his work. They overwhelmingly rejected ideas of Springsteen’s work or performance as sexist, though many understood this criticism, but they noted, and valued, evolution in his writing about women over time. The overall message was of fandom as sustaining in their personal development over time: Springsteen’s women fans are on a journey with him that challenges and enhances previous understandings of women’s rock fandom.
