The Growth of Female Characters in Video Games.

    We've all seen popular games portray women in a negative, yet somehow totally acceptable way. Whether it's taking a backseat to more "important" male characters, or being given a ridiculous character to play as, women haven't had much say in the video game world. A perfect example of this is Mrs. Pacman, who was basically Pacman with a pink bow on her head, and also wore heels, which at the time was the only way to separate a female character from a male character.

 

Even the example of above, seems ridiculously misrepresentative of the average woman. With that being said this character was seen as a step in the right direction for females in video games. This was because of her amazing athleticism, and her ability to think through very complex situations, without needing a mans help. Although not being able to relate visually, this was the character many women had been waiting for.

Before Lara Croft came along, Female characters took a backseat to their male counter-parts. Usually having huge breasts, and only being there for small tasks and to be the main male character's girlfriend. Until tomb raider challenged this notion this was simply seen as "normal".

Now, nearly 15 years later, Females are finally given a chance to breath in the video game world. Now certain games like the one above (mass effect), allow women to create a character of their own, with more realistic appearance capabilities. This gives women the notion that they are capable of anything a male character can accomplish. This is important because the female character used to be there just to cater to younger boys, who were thought to be the only ones who play video games. Now, it is realized that many females are themselves gamers, therefore they should be represented just as respectfully as a man would be. 

Are men pressured to be beautiful?

Are men pressured to be beautiful?

By: James Haggerty

We all know that what we have seen from media in the past 100 years or so, isn't exactly in women's favor. Sure, every now and then a man would be represented in a bad light, but nothing comparable to what women have been led to believe through media. Actually, maybe there is one or two things.

He's probably easy to look at.

He's probably just as easy to look at.

He's the EASIEST to look at it. Ok, I'm getting carried away now...

Anyways, while the beautiful and bodacious female character is all too prevalent in media today, is the representation of men pretty off-base as well? It's debatable, but what can't be argued is just how many perfect looking male characters are on T.V. and in movies. What is considered "perfect" is also debatable, but that's for another day.

Another thing that each of these characters seems to have in the bag, is a beautiful woman that wants to be with them. Even if she's actually a secret agent. This might not seem harmful at all, but it certainly can be for young impressionable men. Once you get to a point where you've seen this scenario played out 500 times, it might actually make you believe that's how it should be in real life. This could make someone feel as though, since they don't have a beautiful woman waiting for them at home, they are failing as a man. They could also think that since meeting woman might not come easy to them, they will never be capable of being the "hero". Thinking this way can cause men to constantly think less of themselves, very similar to how women may feel when seeing certain tropes on them.

With that being said, I challenge you to find some maybe not so attractive male actors.

Here's one.

Here's another.

Okay, okay, I get it.

As a male, sometimes I hear about tropes that women deal with and are currently dealing with, and the first thing I think is, "but men deal with that too." It's a natural reaction almost, but it's incorrect. Simply because everything I think I know, is a result of years and years of tropes put out in the media, almost telling me what to believe. As I said before, what makes someone look "perfect" is open to interpretation, even what I've listed out could be considered way off-base to someone else. However, this is the way that media generally makes me feel about the way men are represented.

Finally, I'm a huge advocate of erasing character tropes for women and men. While this is just one argument there are a few ways that men should be better portrayed in media but ultimately, and unfortunately for women, there are many more issues concerning the female character and how they should be represented. 

Why is this still happening?

Why is This Still Happening?

By: James Haggerty

  The 2016 U.S Men's Olympic Soccer team.

The 2016 U.S. Women's Olympic Soccer team.

Both pictures generally look the same right...WRONG. Apparently the men in the top picture are 4 times better than the women in the bottom picture.

I know Napoleon, it confuses me too. I mean, wasn't the U.S. Women's team just in the world cup 5 years ago. The same world cup that they actually won. Oh yeah, I thought I remember something soccer related happening back then. If there's one thing I remember for sure, it's that the men's team hasn't exactly been impressive themselves.

Admittedly, I haven't paid the closest attention to soccer throughout the years. I have watched 2 world cup games featuring the U.S. men's team and both have been a bit of a disappointment. I'm sure they have some talent, but I can honestly say I have never expected them to win the gold medal. On the other hand, the same thing cannot be said about the women's team.

Ever since I was much younger and watched them play for the first time, the U.S. women's team has always impressed me. Win or lose they have a certain vibe to them that gives you the feeling that they are just as good as whatever team they are playing, if not better. You could say anything you want about them, but nothing would constitute them making considerably less money than their male counterparts.

To give you a few examples, The men's team makes roughly $76,000 per player for making the world cup roster. A women doing the same thing would make $15,000. As a team, for finishing in 3rd place the men's team would receive $1.25M. The women's team would receive $480,000. Not bad but definitely not the same. Lastly, if the men win the world cup they get $9.3M as a team. If the women accomplish the same thing, they get $1.8M.

On top of all this, the women's team earns substantially higher profits. Even though they are treated as second best, they are better in almost every category. The men's team is apparently losing money (1M to be exact), while the women's team is raking in nearly 5.2M. 

I agree Drake, it's crazy that this is still happening. With all the statistics available, apparently it doesn't matter. Sorry ladies, the powers that be just don't care. Think about it, next time your hearing the news spew on about Trump, notice how little air time real stories like this receive. With that being said, being critical with information and demanding that things like this stop happening is extremely important. I know this can be taken as just a meaningless blog, but big changes can start from something as simple as a conversation or an opinion. Once we stop at least talking about important issues, we are all doomed.

The Evolution of The Female Role in Media.

By: James Haggerty

  Since television first started it seems like women have always gotten the shorter end of the stick. Whether it's not having a job at all, and only doing things around the house, or having a job that could somewhat be considered demeaning in comparison to a job a man might have. Receptionists, nurses, assistants, etc.

  Even when the females were given jobs or something important to do, usually they were shown to be incompetent, and therefore "unworthy" of the job or task given.

   Most shows originally were written and casted to appeal to men. For example, The Mary Tyler Moore Show features Mary Tyler Moore (Obviously), who at the time was seen as one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. The show also features another beautiful woman as a main character, and a not so intimidating man to somewhat level the playing field, and make man viewers a bit more confident about themselves. 

  As time continued to pass, (too much time to be honest), women's roles in the media finally started to grow in a real and noticeable way. Roseanne's character in her show was a normal seeming mom, who works hard, properly raises a family, and does all the female stereotypes seamlessly. She also cleverly calls out these hypocrisies many times in the show, while still proving to be competent.

  Just as Roseanne had started with her T.V. show, female roles began changing towards the early 2000's. Many cliché's in cinema and television had started becoming so noticeable that it's cringe inducing, even for men. An example of overcoming clichés is the film "Enough" starring Jennifer Lopez. She starts off as a waitress who is brought into the stereotypical housewife role, when she moves in with her very wealthy lover. Everything seems perfect at first, but things start  to go sour for her and she begins to realize he is not who she thought he was. She eventually has to fight for her life but outsmarts her abusive lover, uncommon for a woman to do in films.

  A strong, charismatic, and most importantly smart female character is becoming more and more prevalent every day it seems. This picture is from "10 Cloverfield Lane" where the main character is possibly the smartest main character I have seen in a film, let alone female character.

  Finally, fortunately there is a decent amount of strong lead female characters in films today. "Rey" from the recent "Star Wars The Force Awakens" is a perfect example of the capabilities of a strong female lead. She proves she can take care of herself, is very reliable, and a great leader, even when speaking to fellow men.

  Overall, the problem with female roles being misleading is getting better every year it seems. However there is much room to improve, and it all starts with close observation and analysis of our favorite shows and films, and generally anything in the media.