Final answer:
Character portrayals in video games often reflect gender stereotypes, with male characters shown as strong and assertive and female characters as slim and sexualized. Gender roles influence these portrayals and are perpetuated by mass media, impacting societal attitudes and reinforcing gender inequality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The portrayal of characters in video games often reflects broader societal norms and stereotypes. Male characters are frequently depicted as muscular, strong and assertive, while female characters are usually slim, attractive, and often sexualized. These stereotypes can be traced back to a number of societal influences, including gender roles and how the mass media serves as an agent of gender socialization. From a feminist perspective, such characterizations can reinforce negative attitudes toward gender and contribute to gender inequality. This phenomenon is not unique to video games and is observed widely in advertising, television shows, and other forms of media.
Children's early play experiences can be heavily influenced by gender roles, with toys and activities often being clearly divided between those considered appropriate for boys or girls. This gendered playtime is a form of socialization that prepares children for the societal roles that are expected of them as adults. In addition to shaping individual beliefs and attitudes, these stereotypes in media can affect the visibility of women in various roles, often limiting roles for female characters to side characters, mothers or hypersexualized figures, which again perpetuates a narrow view of women’s capabilities and societal roles.