Gender Objectification In Video Games

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The media has profound things to say about the physical appearance of a woman. Studies have shown a “link between objectification and sexualization of women in media and an increase in violence against the female gender” (Everbach, 2). Additionally, “sexual objectification has a negative impact on women” (Everbach, 2). Video games are a form of media which sexualizes women. Video games are a male-dominated media (Zorrilla, 1), hence, majority of games are designed to satisfy the male gaze. These games generally support the fact “males are significantly more represented than females” (Zorrilla, 1). Gender is presented in video games is based on stereotypes associate with “male” and “female.” When focusing on outer appearance, males are “muscular,” …show more content…

Their bodies are sexualized, purely for the benefit of male viewers. Yi Mou and Wei Peng (2009) did a study where they took nineteen games (picked based on top sales along with popularity) and studied game segment and character. According to their research all leading characters were male (Mou & Peng, 927). One third of supporting characters reported female. Finally, female characters were the ones in need of rescue (Mou & Peng, 927). Therefore, video games enforce gender stereotypes and place them into two different categories: a sexualized individual or the “damsel in …show more content…

In doing this it presents a hierarchy based on gender, which is relevant in the modern world. Women must be “sexy to have power or they are a damsel in distress that is reliant on men” (Everbach, 6). Young children learn from this form of media and use these images to “undermine the power of females” (Everbach, 7). Video games depict what is currently going on in today’s patriarchal society. Game developers and companies must realize there is a need for balance. It is inevitable there will be games developed sole for males and solely for females. However, companies must market these games in a way both males and females will be interested in playing them (Kondrat, 180). To see a change, video games and all other forms of media need to empower women and remind society gender does not define you. Men and women are

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