That Little Girl Just Owned You In Halo!

Are Females in Gaming Oppressed?

By:  Tony "RadarX" Jones and Savanja

Rarely is it appropriate to bring gamers into the political battle scene.  Political discussions in a group of gamers usually involves disgust over ridiculous lawsuits filed against Rockstar or SOE  Gamergod recently published an article entitled "T and A: Body Image and Jiggle Technology" discussing women's oppression in computer games.  While well researched on the surface, the article quotes a number of popular feminists whose statements were made more than a decade ago when I was still trying to figure out  why I was fighting all these people in Street Fighter II for the Super Nintendo (and I can't remember thinking how hot all the females looked in their 16 bit colors).   I think the article may stretch things a little too far but I'm a male and it would be ridiculous for me to state I completely understand females.   So what better way to get a perspective on this than ask a life long female gamer?    Savanja whose last interview you can read here has a lengthy repetoire of games she has played as was very willing to share her opinon on the matter.

RadarX: Savanja, this obviouslly would be very applicable to you being a female in what is usually considered a male dominated arena of entertainment.   Did any particular thought stand out?

Savanja: This particular article struck a nerve with me.

I think we have all heard the devout feminist idea that the opression of women is made obvious by mens need to flaunt their idea of perfection.  The thought that eating disorders, low self esteem, and general female unhappiness is somehow caused by men who "control" the media and force their ideals upon us unsuspecting viewers.

RadarX: Do you feel that women are really that susceptible to manipulation by the media?   Are women really as uninformed at what's going as this article suggests?

Savanja:  I am ashamed of those that think so little of a womans ability comprehend reality from fantasy.

Do people really believe that women are so shallow, so ignorant, and so easily swayed that we will believe and take to heart everything that is put before us?

It's my opinion that this line of thinking is far more dangerous than anything media can whip out.

I am a woman.  A typical, everyday, average kind of gal.  I watch movies.  I see what is on TV.  And I game.  Not once have I pondered why it is I don't fit the media idea of beauty.  Why?  Because I think for myself.  I have a mind, and I use it.  And I expect every other human on this planet to do the same.

Don't sit there and tell me that I am not intelligent enough to determine that the airbrushed supermodel on this months cover of whatever insipid magazine graces the racks, is not the norm.  I know it's not.  Do I care that others believe that woman to be beautiful?  She may be, that takes nothing from me, who I am, and how I feel as a woman.  Why be threatened by it if you are secure in who you are?

And please don't tell me that men are trying to oppress me, and control me by manipulating my sexuality.  I enjoy, to the fullest, the fact that I am a woman.  That I have been blessed with lucious curves that men find attractive.  I'm not so stupid that I would allow for myself to fall prey to the "evil devices of men".  That lust, that desire, for the female form is NORMAL and should be celebrated, not hidden and taught to be some source of shame.

RadarX:  Muse states that the "male vision of beauty takes its toll on women" in talking about anorexia and other image issues. Are video game developers culpable in the proliferation of these very serious eating disorders?  What would you say to women who really feel that the media is behind all this?

Savanja:  It just is not media's fault that some woman feel bad about who they are.  That is something that resides only in ourselves, and is something that only we can address.  If you are one of those that actually looks upon images in a game, on a screen, or on paper, and wonder why you do not fit the worlds idea of beauty, then perhaps you should first wonder why it is that you care at all.

Think freely.  Don't allow media to tell you what you should look like, act like, or be like.  Don't allow some angry feminist to tell you that being attracted to a beautiful woman, or wanting to be beautiful is wrong.  The only thing that is wrong is not understanding that beauty is 100% subjective.  There is beauty in everyone.  It is up to each of us as thinking individuals to see ourselves for who we are.

For myself, I will enjoy who I am.  A sexual, somewhat attractive female gamer that enjoys taking on attractive avatars.  I am not a victim.  Nor will I ever be.  I will not stand up and blame faceless men for the horrible things that woman think and feel about themselves, when those woman can very simply open thier eyes to the world around them and learn to accept and love who they are.

And to those that believe that I am not capable of surviving in this world without the guidance of men telling me to fault my goods, or feminists telling me to hide them....

My body image is just fine, thanks for your concern.  I will do as I choose

RadarX:  Do you agree that there is "anger women feel about not having power in the world"?  Do you believe women derive a sense of power from gaming?

Savanja:  If they do feel a sense of power from gaming then they aren't gaming for the right reasons.  If a woman wants to feel powerful then she needs to fight for it in the real world.  Become educated and comfortable in who she is.  Gaming is entertainment and therefore superficial.  No true satisfaction as a person can come from playing a game.

RadarX:  Do you feel the author Muse seems to have any type of angst or feel personal opression in the video gaming industry?

Savanja:  There's no way for me to speculate on that.  I think that perhaps those that feel that oppression is happening ought to take a look at what it is about themselves that would allow them to BE oppressed.  And the truth is, if one is as strong as they should be, they have nothing to fear.

Thanks for your time and thoughts on this Savanja.