Gendered Play and Evaluation of Computer Video Games by Young South Africans

Abstract

This study investigates the preferences and attitudes of young South Africans who play and evaluate computer video games. The quantitative data reported here is part of a partially mixed concurrent quantitative/qualitative research design. Seventy-eight participants (14 to 24 years old) took part in game play workshops that lasted for five days, after which they answered a survey. Results show that young South African women and men like similar games, identify with female game characters, dislike cognitively challenging games, and rate their competitiveness in a similar way. It is argued that participants performed their gendered stereotypes based on prior social experiences in and expectations of the patriarchal and heteronormative masculine South African society. The study also discusses the implications for the use of games in the classroom.

Key Words:

• Games for teaching and learning
• computer video games
• game play and evaluation
• hegemonic masculinity
• gender performativity