- An IFOP survey gives a precise idea of the sexism suffered by female gamers in France
- Many of them cut their microphones, leave groups or even hide their gender, to avoid these behaviors.
- In addition, a large number of gamers still adhere to gender stereotypes
Whether it be on pc, console or mobile, many titles allow you to play together online, while communicating by text, audio, or even video chat. Unfortunately, too many women gamers are victims of sexism during these games. Between March 17 and March 23, IFOP carried out a survey for the GamerTop.fr site with a representative sample of French people aged over 15.
This survey reveals that a very large number of people in France are video game enthusiasts. More specifically, 79% of French people have already played video games and 64% have played actively during the three months preceding the survey. Obviously, the proportions are higher (86%) among the youngest (15 to 24 years old). Moreover, the survey suggests that there are almost as many gamers as female gamers in France.
Sexism is still there
However, despite this, sexism is still very present in the industry. According to GamerTop.fr, sexism in video games is experienced by 4 out of 10 female gamers. And this proportion is higher in fighting games and MMORPGs. The site evokes remarks on the physique of the players, on the level in video games, and even threats of sexual assault, comments of a sexual nature, or even obscene remarks.
“The world of gaming has trivialized virulence and trolling, driven in particular by the feeling of impunity conferred by online anonymity. A culture that is difficult to moderate in practice, if we are to believe streaming platforms and video game publishers”, comments Enora Lanoë-Danel, research officer at the IFOP.
Cut the microphone, hide that we are a woman
Faced with this situation, gamers have developed avoidance strategies, such as cutting the microphone, leaving a group or a game, avoiding games, or even hiding their gender. For example, 13% of female gamers often mute their mics because of it, and 4% often hide their genders. In all, 40% of players have already used one of these techniques.
As part of this study, IFOP also interviewed gamers. And the conclusion is that gender stereotypes still die hard in the world of video games. For example, 30% of those who define themselves as “very gamers” think that women have too much power in society. And 22% of “very gamers” and “rather gamers” think that when a woman says “no” (to a sexual relationship proposal), it actually means “yes”.
“While we must not generalize, it is clear that players, and especially those most integrated into this community, tend to take a more sexist view of gender relations and the place of women in society”, says Enora Lanoë-Danel. She also evokes the fact that for a long time, the gaming community was exclusively male.
A global phenomenon
According to the site that published these results, this is the first French survey that gives a quantification of this phenomenon in gaming. And if streamers have already complained about sexist remarks received in comments, the survey shows that anonymous online players are also victims.
And this phenomenon is global. In the United States (a market of over 80 million adult gamers), for example, research published by the Anti-Defamation League in 2022 shows that an “alarming” majority of gamers face hateful behavior and harassment. “The largest increases in identity-based harassment occurred among adult respondents who identified as female (49% in 2021, up from 41% in 2020), Black or African American (42% in 2021, compared to 31% in 2020) and Asians. American (38% in 2021, compared to 26% in 2020)”we read in the publication.
