subject: Exploding the Top 10 Myths and Stereotypes about Gamers Today [print this page] If you're a video game player, no matter how hardcore or casual, chances are you've heard of the stereotypes often associated with gamers. There is a great deal of negative media images of gamers (lazy, awkward, anti-social, violent, socially delinquent, etc.) and it is up to the gamers of today to be the example to help prove them all wrong and show that gamers should be the masters of their own social identities.
We are victims of the media as well as negative stereotypes encouraged by those who know little about games, gaming and those who play. However, sometimes it is the gamers themselves who are further exploiting these myths by their actions or lack of actions. In fact, there are even some gamers who believe in these stereotypes of myths themselves. It's time to finally learn the truth about who gamers really are.
Here are some common myths about gamers debunked:
1. Video games are increasing youth violence: This is one of the most common gamer myths out there. Those who dislike games as well as those who don't understand them will often criticize them and falsely blame games for an increase in youth violence. This is a common myth about video games but when we look at the statistics, it just doesn't make any sense at all. Over the last 30 years, the video game industry has grown exponentially with a great number of systems and games available. Stats also show that the rate of juvenile crime has declined in those 30 years.
2. Video games are for kids only (or mainly for kids): Another common myth about games is that they are merely "child's play" and that a mature adult will give up such silliness and leave the games to the children. Not only is this untrue, but it is also the source of great controversy over games since many are created with adults in mind and contain content that would not be suitable for a young person. As long as the general public continues to believe that games are meant only for children, there will always be complaints and controversy surrounding mature and adult content video games.
3. Scientists have linked violent game play with aggression in youth: This ties in with number one. Did you know that 92% of statistics are made up? Actually, that was made up. Those same video game haters who want you to believe that games are causing youth violence will claim that "scientists have proven it" in this study or that study. They rarely, if ever, have any real evidence to back up these claims, yet the rumors spread like wildflowers.
4. Video games are not a meaningful form of expression: Many gamers see video games as a form of expression. On April 19, 2002, U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. ruled that video games do not convey ideas and thus enjoy no constitutional protection. Similar court cases overturned this ruling with the argument that violence and similar themes deemed dangerous to children can be found in many media outlets, including fairy tales. To shield a child from all forms of this until they are 18 can actually create children who are socially unaware and incapable of making solid moral decisions. Video games are the only media source in which we can actually feel some guilt over the fictional characters within, since we often have a play in making the decisions that lead to what happens to these characters. In essence, video games can actually increase the ability to build morals and make moral decisions which will carry over into the real world as well as the game world for the player.
5. Girls don't play computer games: There's a very bad, un-PC joke about girls on the Internet that is often associated with females in computer games. The reality is that people of all sexes use the computer these days and therefore, both sexes also enjoy computer games. In fact, females are slightly ahead of males in the statistics for web-based games and social networking games. When it comes to gaming on the computer, not only do girls do it, but it seems they do it more than males.
6. Video games desensitize players: There are myths that say if you see violence in video games, it desensitizes you to it in reality. There is really no scientific evidence to support this. In fact, if anything, games can help you learn empathy for when the same thing occurs in real life. It can help you "put yourself in the shoes" of someone that you would ordinarily never be able to do. There is no evidence that seeing violent images in a video game will do any damage to a normal, healthy adult. Anyone of sound mind to realize that the game is fiction will not be desensitized to real life events of the same kind.
7. Video games are socially isolating: Let's face it, some people still see the "gamer" as the fat, lazy bum in his parents' basement in the dark playing for hours on end and living on Hot Pockets. While this guy probably exists, it's certainly not the definition of every gamer. In fact, with more and more games going multi-player and online, games are actually a good social outlet for many people.
8. Gamers are ugly: Here's another totally fictional stereotype with no basis on fact. The whole idea of what is considered ugly and what is not is situational and subject to personal opinion. While there may be "ugly" gamers, there are certainly attractive gamers as well. Having a love for video games has no bearing on the physical characteristics of a person.
9. Gamers are lazy/ hate physical activity: This myth could be the cause of myth number 8. If gamers are lazy, then it's possible they could care little about their physical appearance. Except this one isn't true either. Many gamers are into sports, running, training, coaching and other physical activities. And with many games today, there is nothing lazy about them. It takes a special type of drive and motivation to succeed with these games. The "lazy" would be quickly left behind to lose.
10. Girl gamers are just following their boyfriends/ looking for a boyfriend: This goes along with number 5. There are some people willing to admit that girls play games but they believe they do so only to please their gamer boyfriends or to try to snag a bf for themselves. Frankly, this is just a sexist and outdated myth. While there are some girls who might be looking for love in the video game world, these same girls would be looking for love anywhere else they love to hang. It certainly doesn't mean that every female in a video game is looking for someone so keep those inappropriate advances to yourself.
Chances are you have heard these gamer myths and stereotypes before. Now that you have the facts, you will know how to retort the next time a game-hater pulls these lines on you.
Exploding the Top 10 Myths and Stereotypes about Gamers Today
