A new study talks about a well-known but not much discussed (probably avoided) trend in the gaming community “Twitch’s ‘Pornification’ Culture”
A study published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications has shed light on the prevalence of self-sexualization among Twitch’s female streamers, a phenomenon the researchers refer to as “pornification.”
But what exactly is pornification, and why should gamers and esports enthusiasts care?
The Study: A Closer Look at the Numbers
Conducted by researchers at the University of Alcalá, the study analyzed approximately 2,000 live streams on Twitch, focusing on popular categories like
- Video games
- IRL Streaming
- Just Chatting
- ASMR,
- Pools, Hot Tubs & Beaches.
The study found that while male streamers predominantly focused on gaming content, conversations, or other non-sexualized content, a significant number of female streamers appeared to leverage their physical appearance and sexuality as a means of attracting viewership.
- Only two male streamers were categorized as “hypersexual,” compared to a whopping 389 female streamers (2: 389 Ratio).
- Similarly, just five male streamers were classified as “sexual,” in contrast to 190 female streamers (5:190 Ratio).
Where Does Self-Sexualization Thrive?
Interestingly, the study revealed that self-sexualization was not uniformly distributed across all Twitch categories.
Categories traditionally associated with gaming exhibited lower levels of sexualized content among female streamers, while categories like ASMR and “Pools, Hot Tubs & Beaches” not only had a higher representation of women but also showcased much higher levels of sexualization.
The Motivations
One of the key questions raised by this study is: what drives self-sexualization on platforms like Twitch?
The researchers suggest that societal pressures, the pursuit of popularity, and the platform’s economic incentives could all play a role.
Unlike traditional media (like TV and movies), where portrayals of women are often controlled by external entities, Twitch streamers have autonomy over their online personas, which raises concerns about the factors influencing their choices.
Some female streamers also perceive self-sexualization as a form of empowerment or sexual freedom, reclaiming control over their bodies and sexuality in a male-dominated online space.
Potential Implications
The study’s findings have far-reaching implications, particularly for younger audiences.
As the researchers note, the “pornification” of content on platforms like Twitch could potentially shape the attitudes and behaviors of users, especially teenagers who are still developing their beliefs about sexuality and gender norms.
This exposure may contribute to the normalization of objectification, skewed perceptions of healthy relationships, and the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes, potentially leading to long-lasting consequences for their personal and social development.
The prevalence of self-sexualization can also contribute to negative body image and self-esteem issues among viewers, especially young girls and women. When they are constantly exposed to streamers who adhere to unrealistic beauty standards and present highly sexualized content, it can foster feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with their own bodies.
Deepening the Research
While this study sheds light on significant trends, it also has limitations, such as its focus on specific Twitch categories and popular streamers.
Researchers want future research to utilize a longitudinal approach to examine trends over time, explore less popular streamers, or incorporate mixed methods to capture a fuller spectrum of the Twitch experience and its impacts on both streamers and viewers.
As one of the leading researchers, Anciones-Anguita stated,
“Our long-term goals for this line of research include deepening our understanding of how online sexualized culture affects adolescent girls and boys and how we can work to create more inclusive and healthy online communities.”
Source: For more data and statistics, you can refer to the original study published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.
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