Why are college esports dominated by men?
Women and girls experience manyobstaclesthroughout esports environments both in terms of participation and employment.
These circumstances have resulted in lower numbers of women and girls in varsity collegiate esports.
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A woman professional gamer stated in the forthcoming Sport Management Review article, Toxicity 100% exists.
You are seeing chat that is very negative for women, and thats not fair.
These acts reinforce an unwelcoming environment for women and girls.
Women and girls commonly receivedeath threats and threats of sexual assault.
Theyre so terrified to even get started.
When women do reach competitive esports levels and win tournaments, they are oftenmarginalized.
Its okay because theyre a girl.
Like small, meek, young.
These are the predatory, belittling language and thought processes that women encounter.
Why does it matter?
Increasingly colleges are giving out scholarships for gamers.
However, women and girls are missing out on these scholarship opportunities and the educational benefits that they entail.
Through the National Association of Collegiate Esports,$16 million in esports scholarshipsare awarded annually.
About115 colleges and universities offer these scholarships.
It isdifficult to be what you cannot see.
Additional benefits are associated with competitive esports participation.
Can women compete with men?
Women and girls have proved their ability to compete with and consistently beat male competitors at top-level events.
Do colleges need to do something?
There is high interest in esports among women and girls.
Approximately48% of women participate in video games that are considered to belong in the esports category.
This percentage of women participants jumps to57%for women ages 18-29.
Women are engaged in gaming, viewing livestreams, and competing on average15 hours per week.
During 2019,11 million womenviewed a Twitch livestream.
As collegiate varsity esports continue to grow, institutions must consider their own role in generating opportunities for all.
