guitar hero

[foreverastudent]

I was with my DS at a bowling alley and saw this game in the arcade section.

I dont allow any computer games in the house so maybe I've been living in blissful ignorance of how mysogynistic they are.

This game was in a space specifically designed for children, with a huge screen at their eye level showing images of 'women' with improbable hourglass figures, breasts that looked stuck on, bare midrifs/thighs and visable bras.

I tried raising the subject with DS but he seemed disinterested.

Surely images like this shouldn't be allowed in a 'child-friendly' public space?

[tabouleh]

I agree with you. This casual disregard for images consumed in public spaces contributes to the sexualisation of children.

These sort of things would not have been around children just a few years ago.

Are you aware of the campaigns to ensure that children (in particular) are not subjected to degrading objectifying images of women in Newsagents (eg The Sport - women underwear showing legs spread etc etc).

See www.thefrontpagecampaign.org.uk/ although their website is not very active.

Take action: fire off a quick email to the venue to register your concerns.

Probably won't make a difference but you never know - and it is always worth taking some action as it leads to a cascade effect and raises awareness.

Can you name the company who runs this bowling alley? We could email the head office.

I am increasingly thinking about how to question and challenge companies on their policies wrt to such issues.

EG I am sure that "in theory" many boards would wish to sign up that their company supports the right for children to be protected from the sexualised culture - so once signed up it would be easy to refer them back to their own policy..

I know this is simplistic and in reality it would need companies not willing to participate to be named and shamed.

I am thinking that this is the logical extention to the Let Girls Be Girls Campaign.

In many ways that was perhaps too narrow - therefore M&S can brush off re leasing property to Hooters as that is "different" to selling sexy clothing to girls - yep it is different but it is part of the same problem.

We need companies to sign up to a thorough manifesto to protect children from sexualisation - eg incorporating what was in the Linda Papadopolus report - the link to which has bloody well changed again (thanks Home Office).

[foreverastudent]

It was a bowlplex within an Xscape.

I'll bring it up at my next local feminist network meeting.

[EvilAntsAndMiasmas]

tabouleh - my memory is rubbish, what were we saying on saturday was the next logical step in LGBG?

[MrsClown]

Hello there. It may be worth your while going on the OBJECT website. They are a fantastic organisation (of which I am a member). It is thanks to OBJECT that job centre plus is not allowed to advertise jobs in strip clubs and brothels. Also, the licensing amendment is due to the STRIPPING THE ILLUSION campaign. Just google OBJECT and I am sure you will see what I mean.

[tabouleh]

For those not aware of Mumsnet campaigns:

Let Girls Be Girls info

Thread which led to the campaign.

Thread - MNHG requesting input to extension campaign from LGBG

I have bumped that thread and reported to MNHQ to ask what's happening and for them to sticky it.

Basically that thread's OP says:

"we're thinking about what we might do next in the area of campaigning against premature sexualisation. We know that many of you are concerned about explicitly sexual imagery on the covers of lads' mags and the Sunday Sport, particularly when these publications are displayed at child's-eye level. We also know that some of you are worried about the ease with which children can access frankly pornographic imagery - some of it violent and disturbing - on the internet, whether on PCs or mobile phones."



MrsClown - thanks I am aware of OBJECT

[foreverastudent]

I've contacted them now.

[MrsClown]

Thats great. OBJECT are a very active organisation and have branches outside London. I was at the Feminism in London conference on Saturday and I can only say it was empowering, heartwarming and so wonderful not to feel so alone. The more people who join or support OBJECT the more chance of success.

[witchwithallthetrimmings]

Have they released an album? I saw an ad for this on TV last night and was . No way can that women be said to be "in control of the situation" or subverting any stereotype. It was porn plain and simple

[tabouleh]

I've managed to find the <a class="break-all" href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/sexualisation-of-young-people.pdf" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">Sexualisation of Young People review - well worth looking at for those concerned about this sort of issue.

I find that some people just shrug about this type of issue and using something like this report can help with explanations for people as to why we are trying to reverse the trend.