It can be difficult to realize we need to do better even if we think we’ve been doing enough.
As it has been established that sexism is a demanding problem for many female gamers, how can male gamers help the situation?
Though the video gaming industry has culturally and historically participated in gender discrimination, video gamers themselves have more control of their behaviors than they think.
In fact, we all have agency in determining meaning (1).
Although playing video games may seem passive, our words and behaviors both on screen and through our headsets have major impacts.
In order to create new meanings, new narratives for both males and females, and embrace notions of femininity of all forms, we have to change the way we speak to one another (1).
For instance, it may be fun to say “bros before hoes” when we’re shooting each other down in Call of Duty (1). However, everyday dialogue matters. When simple phrases like this are said, they allow more offensive words to be uttered. The constant use of these phrases allows poor treatment towards marginalized individuals to occur.
One of the more drastic terms is “pwned,” to be dominated by another user, in the gaming world (2). The word itself suggests the violation of another player, an act that reeks of discrimination.
These are examples of words and phrases that have been normalized and almost essential to the current video gaming cultural landscape.
An effective solution is to decrease the attachment to these phrases. Though it may seem tempting to keep saying these words without attaching the historical or cultural trauma to them, that’s not very realistic.
Instead, male gamers can choose to refrain from speaking in this manner. It might seem like a lot to start with. It may seem silly at first, as if not shouting “pwned” on the headset takes away from the male video gaming experience.
However, we are all familiar with substituting and removing certain words from our vocabulary. How many times have we said “fudge” or “shucks” instead of a swear word? After a while, we usually don’t even miss swearing.
It can be argued that male gamers can find substitutes for these phrases, yet still hold onto negative stereotypes.
This may occur. However, using words that do not signify cultural oppression has worthwhile benefits.
By speaking in a less degrading way, female gamers will feel safer and accepted in the video gaming community. Female gamers will face less sexualization, objectification, and violation. Everyday language can reduce the internalization of misogyny and the male gaze (1).
Truthfully, changing a few words and phrases may not even seem like much. A domino effect occurs. When we change the way we talk, we change the way we think. This proves how easy and autonomous it can be for gamers to move towards fair treatment for all genders, simply by thinking twice about what they say.
By simply changing the language we use, we can begin to move past issues of gender discrimination.