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In online gaming, gender constructions are often reinforced through the In online gaming, gender constructions are often reinforced through the In online gaming, gender constructions are often reinforced through the language, behavior, and interactions within the gaming community. language, behavior, and interactions within the gaming community. language, behavior, and interactions within the gaming community. Stereotypes about women's supposed lack of skill or interest in gaming are Stereotypes about women's supposed lack of skill or interest in gaming are Stereotypes about women's supposed lack of skill or interest in gaming are perpetuated, contributing to male-dominated and exclusionary culture. In this perpetuated, contributing to male-dominated and exclusionary culture. In this perpetuated, contributing to male-dominated and exclusionary culture. In this context, women often face both hostile and benevolent sexism. Hostile sexism context, women often face both hostile and benevolent sexism. Hostile sexism context, women often face both hostile and benevolent sexism. Hostile sexism manifests as verbal abuse, trolling, doxing, and other forms of harassment, manifests as verbal abuse, trolling, doxing, and other forms of harassment, manifests as verbal abuse, trolling, doxing, and other forms of harassment, which aim to intimidate and exclude women from the gaming community. which aim to intimidate and exclude women from the gaming community. which aim to intimidate and exclude women from the gaming community. Benevolent sexism can be seen in actions such as assuming women are less Benevolent sexism can be seen in actions such as assuming women are less Benevolent sexism can be seen in actions such as assuming women are less skilled, offering unsolicited help, or treating them as objects of desire rather skilled, offering unsolicited help, or treating them as objects of desire rather skilled, offering unsolicited help, or treating them as objects of desire rather than fellow gamers. These forms of sexism contribute to a hostile and than fellow gamers. These forms of sexism contribute to a hostile and than fellow gamers. These forms of sexism contribute to a hostile and unwelcoming environment for women in online gaming. From a feminist unwelcoming environment for women in online gaming. From a feminist unwelcoming environment for women in online gaming. From a feminist perspective, the targeting of women in online gaming reflects larger systemic perspective, the targeting of women in online gaming reflects larger systemic perspective, the targeting of women in online gaming reflects larger systemic issues of gender inequality. It is rooted in the objectification and issues of gender inequality. It is rooted in the objectification and issues of gender inequality. It is rooted in the objectification and marginalization of women, both in gaming culture and society at large. marginalization of women, both in gaming culture and society at large. marginalization of women, both in gaming culture and society at large. Feminist theorists argue for the need to challenge and disrupt these gender Feminist theorists argue for the need to challenge and disrupt these gender Feminist theorists argue for the need to challenge and disrupt these gender norms, advocate for inclusive and diverse representation in gaming, and norms, advocate for inclusive and diverse representation in gaming, and norms, advocate for inclusive and diverse representation in gaming, and create safe spaces where women can fully participate without fear of create safe spaces where women can fully participate without fear of create safe spaces where women can fully participate without fear of harassment or discrimination. In short, it emphasizes the need to harassment or discrimination. In short, it emphasizes the need to harassment or discrimination. In short, it emphasizes the need to challenge and reshape these gender norms to create a more challenge and reshape these gender norms to create a more challenge and reshape these gender norms to create a more inclusive and equitable gaming environment. inclusive and equitable gaming environment. inclusive and equitable gaming environment.