GTFO: WOMEN IN GAMING


Earlier today I stopped into the Gender Studies department to watch a movie during free period. This weeks theme was to highlight the struggles of female gamers and designers. The movie highlights that women often face forms of sexual harassment and cyber bullying while playing multiplayer online games. They will often be verbally assaulted and some will even receive threats of rape and death. Those who have spoken out against these atrocities have become huge targets for these threats in particular. Even female game designers are under heavy fire for the content of their games. One women in particular was receiving hundreds negative comments because she featured a gay couple in her game Dragon Age Two. In order to advocate for themselves female gamers have crated blogs to highlight the issue, such as www.FatUglyorSlutty.com  in which the designer posts all of the negative comments she has received on an online platform. The designer of www.notinthekitchenanymore.com will post real recordings of her interactions with male players online. Bigger methods of advocacy include Geek Girl CON, a convention held in Seattle every that is designed by female gamers for female gamers. Taking a more economical and societal approach, one company has started a nonprofit organization that teaches females how to code games for free. Over 46% of the female population play video games, yet only 10% are in the heavily male dominated industry. The company advocates for a more inclusive workplace and aims to get women to become more involved. The full film can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_0nGl7Pwx8

Upon reflecting on the film, I have determined that this closely relates to the YDEV concept of Social Justice. As youth development professionals it is our job to encourage youth to be themselves. Young girls in particular can be susceptible to bullying if they are viewed as different. In society female gamers are considered to be taboo in a sense, as if gaming was just for men. To make matters worse, they can also become victims of cyber bullying while playing online. By informing teens on how to advocate for themselves, we can help the overall movement of equality in gaming. We can help young girls learn about themselves and what it means to become a part of a change. We can also provide a safe space for them to play the games and make friends so that they don't feel so alone, a common theme in the movie. We can make a difference as youth professionals to ensure that they are living a happy and healthy childhood.

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