Even in 2024, there are plenty of activities that are considered to be male-dominated, even when that may not be the case anymore. While we have made incredible strides when it comes to equality in a lot of sectors, there’s more that can be accomplished. We’ll start this by abolishing some common and outdated misconceptions about certain activities.
Top Examples of Traditionally Male Activities Now Commonly Enjoyed by Women
We’ll start this off with gaming, a famous hobby that was primarily enjoyed by the male population. However, as per recent statistics published by platforms like Exploding Topics, we can see that almost half of gamers are women. This had a major impact on even the types of games created, catering to the growing, diverse audience.
One great example of this would be Fluffy Favourites, an adorable slot game you can find online. This game features plenty of themes that would be considered more feminine such as cute animals and colorful motifs. Which brings us also to the rise of cozy games, taking a turn away from the stereotypical violent games. Of course, women are not limited to only cozy or adorable games, and we can see more female gamers enjoying a wider range of genres.
Another activity where we can see more women joining in is sports. From joining in and watching sports to actually participating, women have been shattering the invisible boundaries that have been limiting them. While there’s still plenty of pushback from those who have outdated views of femininity and the lack of overall visibility and marketing, especially when it comes to contact sports like rugby and boxing, we can still see a lot of positive change.
Exploring Common Gender-Based Misconceptions
When it comes to gaming, the lack of popularity amongst women at the start was chiefly due to how it was marketed, as it technically fell under tech, which was geared more towards men. However, if we look into the history of tech, or more specifically, programming, it was actually women who dominated this sphere during its inception.
The first programmer was Ada Lovelace, and there are plenty of other pioneers like Grace Hopper, Jean Bartik, and Betty Holberton. Unfortunately, most of us may not even recognize these names but it’s important to learn about them so we are armed with knowledge to fight off negative stereotypes propelling the division in tech spheres.
As to sports, there’s a common saying that women are simply not as physically capable when it comes to physical activities. However, just because the average woman is physically weaker than a man, it doesn’t mean they’re not capable. Unfortunately, historically, women were barred from most physical activities, typically forced and/or limited to things such as childrearing and house care. But as women have gained independence this changed, which was chiefly thanks to surprisingly recent changes like being able to have a job and their own bank account.
Finally, let’s take a look at another entertainment field, the one of sci-fi. Science fiction is commonly known as something enjoyed predominantly by men. But it was actually a woman who started this genre, specifically Mary Shelley with her novel titled Frankenstein. And when it comes to sci-fi shows, we can present Start Trek as proof of women also enjoying this, as the show only happened thanks to Lucille Ball pushing for a pilot and then later Bjo Trimble saving it from getting axed after low ratings.
The world around us is changing, and our transition into the mainstream realization that women and men can equally enjoy things is certainly a positive one. From games to sports to sci-fi and more, we can’t wait to see how this impacts every field and further helps women find niches they love.
