Videogames shown to alter the self esteem of men and women

News flash – videogames, like all other media in a body image obsessed culture, can lead to lowered self esteem in males and females. According to PS Extreme, a study at Kansas State University noted differences in self-esteem related surveys in students who played a beach volleyball game (the women) and a wrestling game (the men). So, everyone felt worse about their body after playing games that depicted muscle-bound men and lithe, busty women. What a shocker.

Ok, so, it’s worth noting that the supposed sample size and lack of a double-blind control keep this from being a thoroughly scientific study, but it sounds legit in terms of everything else. Plus, it’s important and useful to note that males are just as affected by body image and body size issues as women are – an idea that certainly doesn’t get much attention. Though I think the article’s writer went a little too far in starting the post with “You know how the feminists are the first to complain about how women are often depicted in video games?” that’s a little much, I think.

What do you think, readers? Do we need more realistic guys and gals in games? Shall we cut down on the beefcake and the cheesecake?

Read [PS Extreme]