Pro Argument -- Page 3

Look at all mass media. Every television commercial, game, and TV show can be classified as forms of hegemony, which is defined as: a way for a higher power to implant images in one’s head subconsciously as the social norm. In the case of video games, the higher power is the video game developer implanting their idea of “perfect” into the brains of all of their gamers. The industry at large creates an unrealistic standard for both men and women. The reality is that plenty of research has been done on this topic, and most of it reveals the effects of this sexism to be negative. This topic has been a rising debate amongst critics of video games and their influence on youth.

These subliminal messages to the young men and women of America might scar our society forever. The use of steroids in young men has substantially increased, while young women are continuously suffering from eating disorders. This has to stop. Why should anyone allow the developers of the gaming world to decide what will become of our social norm? Will we be satisfied when and only when men are the equivalent to the Incredible Hulk or when women have the unreachable tiny waist and gigantic breasts of Barbie? Games have changed the way in which we view society. If there isn’t a change, this could be a vehicle for the developers of games to reach the minds of youth and negatively change our culture forever.