I remember at first being really offended that "Bimbos in Bikinis" was the title of seminar at a science fiction convention I attended about 30 years ago. I calmed down quickly when I learned that the seminar was actually meant to combat that view of women in science fiction stories. Those seminars, offered over several years, were actually fabulous discussions about the portrayal of women in writing, movies, and fandom.
Fast forward to the present.
My son received some money for Christmas and went off, accompanied by Dad, to spend it. He chose a very geeky, science fiction/fantasy card game. It was marked for "10 & Up", the box looked fine and the price was good, so Dad approved it.
When he got home, my son eagerly began looking through the cards. He handed one to me, concerned about the picture contained on it. It was of a woman in an obviously adult bar, clearly topless though her nipples were behind an object. I took the rest of the cards and found several others that were not quite appropriate.
This concerns me.
I do question whether pre - and early - adolescents really need to be exposed to the concepts of pole dancers, extreme cleavage and men drooling when they can see through a woman's clothing. People have various opinions on what is acceptable for children so I will only say that I have rather conservative views on that and move on.
What bothers me more is the treatment of women.
There is a card called "The Flasher" showing a naked man from behind, baring himself to a woman. The card offers game advantages when it is played against a female character. It makes very light of this type of attack on women and even makes it seem a good thing, since it helps you win if you play the card.
The "Spray - On Costume" card features a woman, and the "Wardrobe Malfunction" is also clearly a female one.
Almost every woman pictured has extremely large breasts and "flatness" can not be played at the same time as "Cleavage Stun."
This sort of thing can be harmful, like the constant portrayal of woman as "Bimbos in Bikinis." It promotes a rather one-sided view of women to boys and could potentially affect how girls see themselves. We removed the cards from my son's game and I will write the company that produces the game.
I just wish we were past this. Or maybe we need to revive those seminars.
Your thoughts?
Fast forward to the present.
My son received some money for Christmas and went off, accompanied by Dad, to spend it. He chose a very geeky, science fiction/fantasy card game. It was marked for "10 & Up", the box looked fine and the price was good, so Dad approved it.
When he got home, my son eagerly began looking through the cards. He handed one to me, concerned about the picture contained on it. It was of a woman in an obviously adult bar, clearly topless though her nipples were behind an object. I took the rest of the cards and found several others that were not quite appropriate.
This concerns me.
I do question whether pre - and early - adolescents really need to be exposed to the concepts of pole dancers, extreme cleavage and men drooling when they can see through a woman's clothing. People have various opinions on what is acceptable for children so I will only say that I have rather conservative views on that and move on.
What bothers me more is the treatment of women.
There is a card called "The Flasher" showing a naked man from behind, baring himself to a woman. The card offers game advantages when it is played against a female character. It makes very light of this type of attack on women and even makes it seem a good thing, since it helps you win if you play the card.
The "Spray - On Costume" card features a woman, and the "Wardrobe Malfunction" is also clearly a female one.
Almost every woman pictured has extremely large breasts and "flatness" can not be played at the same time as "Cleavage Stun."
This sort of thing can be harmful, like the constant portrayal of woman as "Bimbos in Bikinis." It promotes a rather one-sided view of women to boys and could potentially affect how girls see themselves. We removed the cards from my son's game and I will write the company that produces the game.
I just wish we were past this. Or maybe we need to revive those seminars.
Your thoughts?
Well said!
ReplyDeleteI believe I know what game you're speaking of, and if I'm correct, I have to say that I'm a big fan of the game and the series. That being said, whenever we play it, I do complain about some of the cards. This has led to a couple interesting discussions about WHY I complain about the cards. In that way, these derogatory images have actually been used to promote intelligent discussion of a very real and sensitive subject, and I definitely support discussion.
Even though the box says 10andUp, I'm not sure I would let my ten year old play it. On the other hand, if I was sure my ten year old was mature enough to handle the discussion about why the cards are demeaning, I don't think I would cut the game out completely. (I notice you only took out the bad cards, and I support that decision.) Sometimes I wonder whether cutting the negative material out altogether is a better way of dealing with the issue than talking about it. I still haven't decided, but I'm sure when I have kids, I'll figure it out.
I am fan of the game, too. It's very fun. That's what makes this frustrating.
DeleteIn our case, we chose to have Jordan (age 13) take part in the decision-making process, going through the cards and selecting which ones to remove. So he will see the cards, with appropriate support and discussion, but then will not be repeatedly exposed to them. This may work for some other kids, some shouldn't see them at all.
I think the box should state a significantly older minimum age and I think that "Flasher" card just needs to go. That was the one that bothered me most.
I don't know the game at all, but my first reaction is: age 10 & up?!?! Second, protraying men flashing women as "good" or the game winning card sends the message that sexual violence against women is not only ok, it is a good thing. I am appauled! This game manufacturer should be ashamed AND the game should be taken off the shelves.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Good post. And thank you for writing to the manufacturer.
DeleteI did write to the manufacturer and got a thoughtful, respectful response. I'll be writing a follow-up post.
DeleteGood post.
ReplyDeleteWill the game be altered or removed with only one complaint? Or, more likely, your complaint will be joked about and ignored. Maybe not. Perhaps if others know of what you speak, they can complain as well and make it clear to the producers that this is a real issue, especially the "Flasher". Aren't people arrested for flashing?
Although this game seems to cater to men, I am disturbed at the acceptance of this sort of degradation, and often participation in the attitudes and behavior by women, and not just young women. Maybe they've spent too much time with "Bimbos in Bikinis".
I am going to write a follow-up post about the response I received from the company which was actually a thoughtful and helpful one, although I had been concerned about having it laughed off. The game, I think, is designed to appeal to men, but women do play.
DeleteThanks for your comment!