"The belief that women are somehow a 'natural weaker gender' is a deeply ingrained socially constructed myth, which of course is completely false - but the notion is reinforced and perpetuated when women are continuously portrayed as frail, fragile, and vulnerable creatures." (Anita Sarkeesian) I once believed video games were harmless entertainment and it wasn't until I watched Anita Sarkeesian's videos Damsel in Distress: Part 1 - Tropes vs Women in Video Games and Women as Background Decoration - Tropes V.S. Women that I realized video games impacted the real world. Not being a gamer, I failed to pay attention to how the objectification of women altered men and women’s attitudes and beliefs towards women in real life. Disempowering …show more content…
When video games, perpetuate what is called a rape myth— for example the idea that women like sexual force—they encourage violence against women. This type of characterization then sends the message to men that rape and abuse are secretly desirable to women. Therefore, when gamers see a scantily dressed woman in a video game telling a man that she “likes it rough,” it sends the dangerous message to gamers, and the consequences to the women around …show more content…
I noticed this when I interviewed my former high school's students to demonstrate my point. When I asked what they though about female characters in video games and if they think they are necessary, I was surprised to here a female gamer respond, "Yes they are necessary! I need my bit chess by my side. They're so much fun!" I was appalled since I expected a male gamer to say that, but never a female. I felt like this girl of just 16 years of age, had assimilated the role of women in video games since she was used to the gaming culture. On the other hand, perhaps she even said it because she is used to her male gamer friends saying things like that and doesn't feel like she should contradict