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7 years ago
I've been thinking about tropes a lot recently, and have been watching and reading some good info. However, I don't yet know of any places that discuss furry specific tropes. So screw it, I'm gunna write my thoughts down.
First off; Genderbending
As a Transformation addict I enjoy me some TFTG stories from time to time. Though lets be honest, most of it is just smut. While most MtF stories can work as smut for me because, hey y'know, "boobs", FtM doesn't doesn't generally hold my interest. Part of it is that I'm not into penis, sure, but I think its deeper than that.
MtF genderbending often explores the sense of vulnerability that comes with suddenly being female. There is a sense of emasculation and forced impotency. Suddenly a character may be weaker, there is a threat of sexual violence. Add that to the initial horror of the actual transformation; not knowing what is happening, concerns about identity and role in society, even surviving the bureaucracy without valid ID. [Koteps take on this in a somewhat humorous story: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/24239460/ ]
There is a sort of horror aspect to MtF Transformations. Some might argue that this is a bit sexist- that women aren't weaker than men and that there is an excessive amount of objectification here. Sure, you get some characters that find the experience liberating. But even then the result may be a form of mind alteration or mind loss- which is a form of horror. In addition, most of these stories are just plain sexual fantasy; someone or something turning into something extra sexy and bang-able.
A lot of writers that I've seen tend to exaggerate the effects of gender such that the sequence feels cartoonish. This applies to both gender transformations; when the final result is female she tends to have huge tits and excessive ass, males tend to be ridiculously strong (and have ridiculously large equipment). This cartoonish feel and unnatural sense of acceptance are one of my minor pet peeves. They seem to be included often just to add a sort of "its not wrong cause they enjoy it" rationality used to make people feel better about getting off to problematic material.
I'm not particularly fond of that but I'm not here to shut people down. What I want to point out is that I don't frequently see stories about Females dealing with sudden masculinity. Granted, I don't seek out FtM stories. I think exploring the vulnerability of suddenly being thrust into a male body could be fun.
First off, the TF would strip females of their status as a protected gender. Meaning society no longer really cares if they survive. In most settings both real and imaginary, women are protected. Some societies view them as weak and keep them sheltered from harm, even so far as locking them in their homes like Athenians. Other cultures understand that a certain number of females are necessary for the survival of the tribe; that women are important and must be protected, that if we lose too many females we lose society.
Suddenly becoming male means that that societal protection- whether blessing or curse- is gone. Males are more expected to survive on their own, without group support for at least significant lengths of time. Add to that the lack of training in warfare, hunting or other trades expected or required within the culture and you have a great story about the underdog fighting to survive... and perhaps using their unexpected feminine straits (such as communication) to adapt to their new situation.
Here ends my ramble, for now. See y'all on the flipside
becoming male
MtF can be particularly interesting as the horror that comes with the increased vulnerability is often explored.
First off; Genderbending
As a Transformation addict I enjoy me some TFTG stories from time to time. Though lets be honest, most of it is just smut. While most MtF stories can work as smut for me because, hey y'know, "boobs", FtM doesn't doesn't generally hold my interest. Part of it is that I'm not into penis, sure, but I think its deeper than that.
MtF genderbending often explores the sense of vulnerability that comes with suddenly being female. There is a sense of emasculation and forced impotency. Suddenly a character may be weaker, there is a threat of sexual violence. Add that to the initial horror of the actual transformation; not knowing what is happening, concerns about identity and role in society, even surviving the bureaucracy without valid ID. [Koteps take on this in a somewhat humorous story: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/24239460/ ]
There is a sort of horror aspect to MtF Transformations. Some might argue that this is a bit sexist- that women aren't weaker than men and that there is an excessive amount of objectification here. Sure, you get some characters that find the experience liberating. But even then the result may be a form of mind alteration or mind loss- which is a form of horror. In addition, most of these stories are just plain sexual fantasy; someone or something turning into something extra sexy and bang-able.
A lot of writers that I've seen tend to exaggerate the effects of gender such that the sequence feels cartoonish. This applies to both gender transformations; when the final result is female she tends to have huge tits and excessive ass, males tend to be ridiculously strong (and have ridiculously large equipment). This cartoonish feel and unnatural sense of acceptance are one of my minor pet peeves. They seem to be included often just to add a sort of "its not wrong cause they enjoy it" rationality used to make people feel better about getting off to problematic material.
I'm not particularly fond of that but I'm not here to shut people down. What I want to point out is that I don't frequently see stories about Females dealing with sudden masculinity. Granted, I don't seek out FtM stories. I think exploring the vulnerability of suddenly being thrust into a male body could be fun.
First off, the TF would strip females of their status as a protected gender. Meaning society no longer really cares if they survive. In most settings both real and imaginary, women are protected. Some societies view them as weak and keep them sheltered from harm, even so far as locking them in their homes like Athenians. Other cultures understand that a certain number of females are necessary for the survival of the tribe; that women are important and must be protected, that if we lose too many females we lose society.
Suddenly becoming male means that that societal protection- whether blessing or curse- is gone. Males are more expected to survive on their own, without group support for at least significant lengths of time. Add to that the lack of training in warfare, hunting or other trades expected or required within the culture and you have a great story about the underdog fighting to survive... and perhaps using their unexpected feminine straits (such as communication) to adapt to their new situation.
Here ends my ramble, for now. See y'all on the flipside
becoming male
MtF can be particularly interesting as the horror that comes with the increased vulnerability is often explored.
I do characterize the TFTG in my world as in attaining new identity, in Safira's former human partner's case. He was given an identiy of Bipedal Safira and bound to her forever as a bipedal sister. The TFTG I have set up in my world starts as gender correction. If the host to the dragon's blood has passed every check except for gender, then the transformation targets the host's gender and change them from inside then pump them full of chemicals while destroying maleness with intense heat. Once that has concluded, the second stage can begin: transforming into bipedal version of the donator. Once the whole TFTG concludes, the next challenge is mental connection and identity crisis. The male/female who lost the original sex and race identity will have to adopt the donator's sex/race identity.
If anyone likes to over characterize the sexual appeal, go ahead but I should like to challenge those who does to imagine the character with big boob having nightmare time of handling a heavy mass about. Big ass: getting around the corner and getting bumped painfully. Big Dick: A third leg that does nothing but make walking harder than it needs to be. Big Balls: Same as big dick but even worse with combined problem as big boobs and the pain associated with things bumping to it.