Gender Stereotyping in Video Games (Essay Sample)

Gender Stereotyping in Video Games Student’s Name Professor’s Name Institutional Affiliation Course Code Date Gender stereotype is defined as a generalized preconception about the roles that should be performed by men and women or the characteristics and attributes that they should possess. The preconceptions can be either positive or negative. Stereotypes that limit men's or women's capacity to develop their abilities and make other life choices can be harmful. In today's modern era, the media is a formidable social tool. To illustrate the power of media entertainment, in 2015, the video game global market ranged above $90 billion (Bègue et al., 2017). This shows how this form of media entertainment is popular. Part of this popularity is attributed to the depiction of sexualized female characters that appeal to the masculine gender. Contrary to traditional media forms, most of women sexist representation is in today's video games. Evidently, video games portray negative gender stereotypes, especially concerning women. In addition to sexism and objectification, they are underrepresented in leading roles. It is no secret that in most video games men are portrayed as the leading protagonists who play as heroes while women are allocated secondary or non-playable roles. The portrayal of men as dominant, aggressive, and powerful emphasizes the unrealistic power they should possess, which can be destructive to boys and adolescents. Being a well-known fact, most United States’ adolescents play video games often. Therefore, exposure to gender stereotypes further reinforces the negative stereotypes, especially when they are still creating their own identity. Because of this exposure, social relations during adolescence are damaged because they tend to make decisions that exclude their peers from activities based on gender. These exclusions are justified using stereotypes. This paper will disclose how video games portray negative stereotypes because they affect the behaviors and attitudes of those playing them. Gender stereotypes create an opportunity to categorize people, judge them and legitimize hierarchy and inequality in social groups (EDHEC BUSINESS SCHOOL, 2022). According to interviews conducted with gamers, male characters, despite being numerous, have more speaking time when compared to female characters; female characters have fewer occupations; females are assigned inferior roles while male characters are assigned professional positions of power and dominance (EDHEC BUSINESS SCHOOL, 2022). From this, an adolescent still undergoing cognitive development will grasp that females are destined for roles such as nurses or waitresses and should not have dominant roles such as guards or warriors. These stereotypes are justified by the claims that, being narrative, they are based on a factual historical account. "Video game designers often cooperate with historians to make the narratives plausible and visually coherent, hence the possible confusion between fiction and historical facts" (EDHEC BUSINESS SCHOOL, 2022). It is important to note that video games are imaginary and do not represent history in a documentary way. The fact that males make up 61% of developers in the gaming industry has seen fewer females being portrayed as protagonists (INTENTA, 2022). As of 2019, only 5% of video games allowed players to play as female characters (EDHEC BUSINESS SCHOOL, 2022). Additionally, even in advertisements, mostly men are featured and highlighted professionally. An observable stereotype in video games is how female characters are displayed as sexualized objects rather than capable individuals. Through this objectification, they are often dressed in revealing clothing or being used as rewards. Often video games portray female characters as attractive and sex objects in need of help and they hold instrumental roles. An example of this illustration is in Resident Evil 5, where Excella Gionne is an antagonist that hinders the main character from accomplishing the mission (Lim, 2014). This character is portrayed as sexy with erotic features; to achieve this, she is clothed in scanty apparel. This display of women as submissive and sexual objects could change men's views toward women, and additionally, adolescents can grasp that women should act vulnerable and compliant based on portrayals in video games. Also, characters with unrealistic body proportions can make girls feel disappointed and have low self-esteem. Sexism is not only portrayed through the sexiness and submissiveness of female characters but also through the strength and power of male characters. In video games, men are illustrated to be excessively masculine and violent. This affects the perception of boys on how men should be. It is unbelievable how male characters are portrayed in such a way that a character can successfully punch and destroy a boulder. The immersion of an individual into the virtual world makes one perceive men as having large muscles, and this can be destructive to males and their self-image (Lim, 2014). Through this, boys and adolescents interacting through the game can be persuaded using the constant unrealistic visuals and abnormal body structures that men should be muscular. This is common in adventurous and action games such as God of War, where male characters are depicted to be physically imposing by having broad shoulders, chiseled abs, and large biceps. Such portrayal sends the message that the most important aspect of masculinity is physical strength and that men should be physically impressive. Another negative stereotype is how male characters are shown to be unempathetic and emotionless. To prove this, the characters are depicted as stoic and numb to the emotions of others. In the video game “God of War”, Kratos is portrayed as a sociopath, often on vengeful quests that make him torture and murder and torture dozens of people and gods who are potential fathers, sons, and even brothers. Such characters illustrate that expression of emotion is a sign of weakness; hence men should be unemotional. In addition to being overly muscular and emotionless, male characters are often portrayed as the dominant figure in a game’s story. Being depicted as the hero who saves the day or the leader of a group, this illustration of men as protagonists creates the stereotype that only men can lead and be capable of heroism. Evidently, many video games create negative stereotypes about men in terms of their physical appearance, roles, and behavior in a game's story. Despite video games being criticized for portraying negative stereotypes in regard to gender, sexuality, and race, it should be noted that many video games also perpetuate positive stereotypes that can e beneficial to individuals and even society. An example of such is the portrayal of capable and strong female characters. Female characters have been developed to e capable just as the male characters if not more than them. This is illustrated through the character Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. Being an adventurer and skilled archaeologist, she can tackle challenges she crosses paths with. Such representation is empowering to girls and women by breaking the stereotype that women always need saving because they are weak and less capable than men. This helps challenge the tr...