Gender Stereotyping in Video Games: A Counterargument Video games have come under attack for promoting harmful gender stereotypes,particularly regarding women. It is true that many video games portray women as weak anddependent on women. Some portray them as sexual objects meant to appeal to sexual desires ofmen (Wilhelm, 2018). While these portrayals are common, there […]
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Video games have come under attack for promoting harmful gender stereotypes,
particularly regarding women. It is true that many video games portray women as weak and
dependent on women. Some portray them as sexual objects meant to appeal to sexual desires of
men (Wilhelm, 2018). While these portrayals are common, there are multiple video games that
have advanced positive female stereotypes. These portrayals include leadership, intelligence,
independence, physical strength, and self confidence. An example of such positive portrayal is
the Nadine Ross portrayal in Uncharted 4. In the game she is played as a very smart and fierce
person (Kondrat, 2015). Another positive female portrayal is Vella Tartine who stars in Broken
Age video game. She possesses exemplary leadership qualities and is resourceful (Kondrat,
2015). She saves both herself and the entire world. Vivienne in Dragon Age: Inquisition is
another positive female portrayal. She extremely self-confident (Kondrat, 2015). Some may
argue that these portrayals are relatively recent and, therefore, a reaction of video game creators
to displeasure about their previous promotion of negative female stereotypes. However, even in
early 90s there were many video games that portrayed women in positive light. An example is
the character of Dark Queen in the Battletoads video game. She is not just very beautiful but also
a leader of men (Lynch et al., 2016). Additionally, she can just be as ruthless and cunning as
men.
In conclusion, while it is true that many video games promote negative stereotypes of
women, there are many others that present women in more positive light. For these video games,
women are not portrayed in a highly sexualized manner primarily meant to appeal to sexual
desires of men. Neither are they presented as weak, dependent on men, and incapable of leading.
Instead, they are presented as strong, intelligent, resourceful, and self-confident. This positive
GENDER STEREOTYPING IN VIDEO GAMES: A COUNTERARGUMENT 3
portrayal of women in video games is important because it helps young women not to limit
perceptions of their suitability or desire for certain vocations in life.
GENDER STEREOTYPING IN VIDEO GAMES: A COUNTERARGUMENT 4
References
Kondrat, X. (2015). Gender and video games: How is female gender generally represented in
various genres of video games?. Journal of comparative research in anthropology and
sociology, 6(01), 171-193.
Lynch, T., Tompkins, J. E., van Driel, I. I., & Fritz, N. (2016). Sexy, strong, and secondary: A
content analysis of female characters in video games across 31 years. Journal of
Communication, 66(4), 564-584.
Wilhelm, C. (2018). Gender role orientation and gaming behavior revisited: examining mediated
and moderated effects. Information, Communication & Society, 21(2), 224-240.
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