The Growing Importance of Women in Geek Culture

As geek culture evolves there is a emphasis on diverse and more representative media. In a culture that is often on the cutting edge of non-mainstream entertainment the need to have a progressive outlook that might challenge mainstream constructs of gender. This interrogation of gender roles in geek culture allows for new and inventive ways for women to mark their cultural mark in a way that mainstream pop culture might not allow.

Geek culture has not always been a progressive, inclusive place for women, in fact geek culture had a very poor record for treatment of women, with geek and gamer content creators experiencing misogynist bullying that sometimes resulted in stalking behavior and violence (see gamergate). Another unfortunate mark on the treatment of women in geek culture is the use of extremely sexualized female characters in the games, film, and television.

Geek women and men have begun to turn these unfortunate tropes of the large breasted vixen or the chaste weaker female its head with characters defying this categorization and sometimes providing direct commentary on the stereotypical female roles that preceded them. Strong female characters are now among the writing goals of a lot of non-mainstream entertainment allowing for a healthier and more representative view of women in geek culture.

While the content of the media embraced by the geek culture is recognizing the need for equal gender representation, women as content creators are also making their mark with women as the show runners television cult favorites, creating games and writing some of the key pieces of fiction contributing to popular geek culture.

There is still a long way to go but the more inclusive direction that geek culture is taking is allowing for better representation and a more dynamic creative landscape in which women and men can create, enjoy and interact with niche media and vibrant fandoms.