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In June, 2023, IGN hosted their 4th Summer of Gaming Showcase and noticeably, there were no women featured on stage.
This resulted in a lot of chatter across social media including large gaming creators alleging that they had convos with some of the men on stage prior to the showcase pointing out this flaw in programming and it went unheard.
Verge Video Game Reporter, Ash Parrish, released an article shortly thereafter that set the gaming space on fire. Though this topic is not a new one, it is worth the continuous exploration until a change is made.
Underrepresentation of Women in STEM
For decades, the challenge of increasing the number of women in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) roles has been a topic of conversation. According to a
labor force study conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2019, “Women make up
only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and men
vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college. The gender gaps are
particularly high in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future, like
computer science and engineering.” (Hill et al., 2010). STEM fields such as engineering and
computer science that are lucrative due to pay and the number of open roles are still heavily
dominated by men.
“Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are widely regarded as
critical to the national economy. Concern about America’s ability to be competitive in the global economy has led to a number of calls to action to strengthen the pipeline into these fields.” (Hill et al., 2010). STEM plays an important role in solving some of the world’s biggest obstacles such as global warming, food deserts, medical breakthroughs, and much more. As society continues to advance, it is more important now, than perhaps ever, that a diverse set of voices are contributing to STEM fields in an effort to continue advancement of the human experience.
Workers in the STEM fields are pivotal to both innovation and economic productivity. If
disproportionate numbers between women in STEM versus that of men in STEM continue,
society is at risk of missing out on opportunities to move forward due to a lack of diverse
contributions.
STEM Background Information
When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 in 1957, a butterfly effect occurred wherein
science and mathematics curriculum was reevaluated. There was an emergence of math and science curriculums funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) such as the Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC), Earth Science Curriculum Project (ESCP), and Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS) (Koehler, et., al, 2020). Unfortunately, educators were not adequately prepared to effectively teach the provided curriculum. Attempts to keep this momentum going continued, and in the 1990s, the first coinage of STEM surfaced (then referred to as SMET).
Why Representation is Important
The representation of women in gaming is crucial for several reasons:
Gender Equality: Women make up a significant portion of the gaming community. Representation in this industry can help to promote gender equality, not only in the content of games but also within the companies that develop them.
Diverse Perspectives and Experiences: Having more women in the gaming industry can bring diverse perspectives that lead to more innovative and engaging games. Their unique insights can contribute to character development, narratives, and game mechanics that appeal to a broader audience.
Role Modeling: When girls and women see characters that resemble them or women developers succeeding in the industry, they are more likely to view gaming and related careers as welcoming and achievable options for them.
Challenging Stereotypes: More balanced representation of women in games can help challenge and dispel existing gender stereotypes, contributing to a healthier and more realistic perception of women.
Audience Representation: With women making up nearly half of the gaming audience, representation ensures that games reflect their experiences and interests, creating a more inclusive gaming environment.
Economic Considerations: From a business standpoint, alienating women gamers can be a missed opportunity. Games that resonate with women can tap into a substantial market, potentially leading to greater commercial success.
Increases Engagement: When people feel represented, they are more likely to engage with a medium, whether it's consuming media, participating in the political process, or contributing to their communities. This engagement can lead to societal progress and growth.
Beat out Competition: Studies have shown that diverse companies perform better financially. They are more likely to outperform less diverse peers due to innovative ideas stemming from a variety of perspectives.
Promotes Respect and Reduces Toxicity: Better representation of women in gaming can help reduce toxic behavior and misogyny often encountered in gaming communities by normalizing the presence of diverse genders.
Cultural Influence: Games, like all media, have a strong influence on culture. A more balanced portrayal of genders can contribute to societal views and expectations, pushing for equality and respect in real life.
Educational Opportunities: Video games can be powerful educational tools, and when they present diverse characters, players can learn from different perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding.
By promoting and increasing female representation in gaming, we can contribute to a more diverse, inclusive, and successful gaming industry and community.
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