I Can Defend Myself

Women’s Strategies for Coping With Harassment While Gaming Online

Bibliographic Data

ID2409591
AuthorsAmanda C Cote (0000-0001-7553-6641, University of Michigan, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume12
Issue2
Pages136-155
Publication date2017-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGames and Culture (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1555-4120 • E-ISSN: 1555-4139
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1555412015587603
OpenAlexW2340258158
LanguageEN
Citations received99
References cited24

Although video game audiences have greatly diversified over recent years, players who are not the stereotypical straight, White, male "gamer" are still frequently viewed as outsiders to online gaming and face harassment because of this status. However, many choose to play games despite this and have developed specific coping strategies they employ to avoid or respond to harassment. Using grounded theory and in-depth interviews with female gamers, this gender-based case study explores women's strategies for coping with online game-related harassment. It shows that women are first and foremost an active audience, carefully managing their media environment to help ensure positive experiences. At the same time, their strategies come with limitations, such as hiding their contributions to gaming or provoking further harassment. Although women are capable media managers, their continued status as "outsiders" deeply affects their gaming experiences and demonstrates a need for cultural change in online environments

Coping (psychology · Face (sociological concept · Harassment · Political science · Public relations · Social media · Sociology · Digital Games and Media · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Psychology · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub