A new study shows that almost a third of female computer gamers in the UK feel guilty about gaming, often because of social pressures and feeling left out of the mainstream hobby.
The study, published in the journal Sex Roles by Dr Steph Rennick from the University of Stirling and Dr Seán Roberts from Cardiff University, surveyed 1,000 UK women who play mobile games. It found that many face emotional challenges linked to traditional gender roles.
Of the women surveyed, 29% admitted to feeling guilty when they believed they had spent “too much time” playing games. When asked what they felt they should be doing instead, the answers pointed to ingrained societal expectations: 43% cited household chores, 33% felt they should be with family, and 23% believed work should take priority.
This guilt seems tied to not feeling like a ‘real’ gamer. Even though 51% of women play games in some way, almost 60% said they don’t play enough to call themselves gamers, and over 30% would feel embarrassed by the label.
Dr Rennick commented on the findings, “The study shows many women feel excluded from video game culture, with significant numbers of women feeling guilty about playing video games and worrying about what others think of them taking time to play games.”
Interestingly, the study found that guilt didn’t actually make women play less. As Dr Rennick put it, ‘Those who feel guilty or keep secrets don’t play less, but they feel worse.’ This shows the problem isn’t the hobby itself, but the cultural attitudes around it.
The research also highlighted that younger women, aged 16-24, were three times more likely to feel this guilt than those over 54. Furthermore, 16% of all participants admitted to keeping their gaming habit a secret for fear of judgement.
A Contrast with Tabletop Gaming
These results are very different from what happens in tabletop roleplaying. Video gaming, especially on mobile, is usually a solo activity you can start and stop anytime. In contrast, tabletop RPGs are planned social events with friends, which can change how people view their free time.
Having a regular roleplaying game turns that time from a ‘guilty pleasure’ into a group activity, like meeting for coffee or playing a team sport. When the time is set aside for a hobby with others, there’s less pressure to be doing chores or work.
Also, video game marketing has often focused on a narrow, male-centered idea of a ‘hardcore gamer.’ In contrast, the tabletop scene, while not perfect, usually welcomes anyone who plays, no matter how much or how well. This can make it easier for people to call themselves gamers without feeling guilty or embarrassed. If you’re interested in exploring board games and roleplaying, stores like Zatu Games have a lot to offer.
The study, originally highlighted in an article on The Conversation, suggests the video games industry has work to do in marketing its products as a valid and healthy form of entertainment for everyone, free from the trope of being a “guilty pleasure.” By failing to do so, they not only reinforce outdated social pressures but also create a barrier for a significant and growing portion of their audience.
Photo by ELLA DON on Unsplash. Hat Tip ScottishGamers.net.
