Current Connection 3.2

In Karen E. Dill and Kathryn P. Thill's article, "Video Game Characters and the Socialization of Gender Roles:  Young People's Perceptions Mirror Sexist Media Depictions," they explain how the media and video games influence the thoughts of young people.

For example, in the article, Dill and Thill state, "Research has also shown that exposure to media images of ideal beauty causes college men to find average-looking 'real' women less attractive." Media exposure can affect how young men perceive women. This influence can cause unhealthy feelings towards the females in young men's lives.

Additionally, the authors state, "These findings suggest that failure to live up to the specific media stereotypes for one's sex is a blow to a person's sense of social desirability." If a man or a woman doesn't feel like they fit what they see to be the optimal mate, then they will feel bad about themselves. This is unhealthy and unfair because no one can live up to the high standards the media sets.

Furthermore, in the article, the authors state, "Gender portrayals of video game characters reinforce a sexist, patriarchal view that men  are aggressive and powerful and that women are not healthy, whole persons, but sex objects, eye candy and generally second-class citizens." This causes young people that are exposed to video games to develop unhealthy attitudes about gender roles. They will carry these perceptions throughout their lives and into the national politics of the country.

Similarly, while researching my topic, I read an article that stated that men are typically reluctant to seek help for their problems in real life; however, when they use a female avatar in a video game, they feel free to ignore the social expectation to not seek help. When they use a male avatar, they still feel compelled to fit in with social norms.

The portrayal of men and women in the media and video games has a lasting negative impact on the young people that are exposed to them. As the children who are affected by gender stereotypes in video games more and more each year grow into adults with opinions, social issues in the country are sure to be affected.

Sources:
Dill, Karen E., and Kathryn P. Thill. "Video Game Characters and the Socialization of Gender Roles: Young People ’ S Perceptions Mirror Sexist Media Depictions." Nouspace. N.p., 17 Oct. 2007. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. <http://www.nouspace.net/dene/475/videogames.pdf>.