A1 Journal article (refereed)
The stigma of feminism : disclosures and silences regarding female disadvantage in the video game industry in US and Finnish media stories (2022)

Kivijärvi, M., & Sintonen, T. (2022). The stigma of feminism : disclosures and silences regarding female disadvantage in the video game industry in US and Finnish media stories. Feminist Media Studies, 22(5), 1083-1101. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2021.1878546

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kivijärvi, Marke; Sintonen, Teppo

Journal or series: Feminist Media Studies

ISSN: 1468-0777

eISSN: 1471-5902

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 24/01/2021

Volume: 22

Issue number: 5

Pages range: 1083-1101

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2021.1878546

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/73872

Abstract

This article examines how the issue of gender, particularly women’s (under)representation in the video game industry, is framed in US and Finnish media. Building on the notion of stigma surrounding feminism, the article examines discourse practices as acts of managing the image of feminism. The findings illustrate five stigma management strategies that offer the possibility of maintaining socially accepted ways of discussing gender inequality and portraying women in mainstream media. Using critical discourse analysis, the paper addresses how the use of these stigma management strategies connects with different contemporary feminisms. The strategies used and their ideological backgrounds vary between the two cultural contexts. This article contributes to the understanding of the ongoing discussions between postfeminism and neoliberal feminism in contemporary society and organizations by demonstrating how the expression of feminist ideas is managed in different cultural contexts.

Keywords: game sector; game industry; gender; gender roles; public discussion; feminism; stigmata

Free keywords: gender; stigma; feminism; women in games; video game industry

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2