Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate gender perception of eSports gamers. Methods 8 male gamers in the professional team were selected purposeful and snowball sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face and online interviews, and analyzed by content analysis and classification analysis. Results Esport gamers explained their indirect experiences with female gamers. The results are as follows. First, it was confirmed that the number of female gamers was small and they had a negative stigma image, and this consistently reproduced the gender role stereotype of female gamers in digital games. Second, in the game world, men are swearing, verbal abuse, and sexual harassment against female gamers, which suggests that female gamers are viewed as targets of sexual play from the perspective of the strongest. Third, eSports male gamers are characterized by being conservative or open to gender perceptions by age. We discussed what to need in eSports which is male dominated area should give to opportunity for equality education. Conclusions In-depth understanding of gender perception in e-sports players should be prioritized in order to change gender perception. Therefore, it would be an important research topic bring to discuss. This paper is expected to be a beneficial material for eSports gender studies and stimulate to discuss gender imbalance.
Purpose Based on Haidt's social-intuitionist theory, this study analyzes the differences in ethical decision-making between sport athletes and the general public in order to understand the ethical judgment tendencies of athletes and examine the determining factors influencing their judgment from the perspective of their environment. In so doing, this study hopes to motivate education for enhancing ethical consciousness as well as institutional policy. Methods To this end, 200 elite athletes in their twenties registered for more than 10 years at the Korean Sports Association and 200 college students in their twenties from five universities in Seoul were selected for comparison. Response trends for each item were analyzed by percentage, and differences between groups were confirmed by the χ2 test method. Results The results are as follows. First, in general ethical situations, athletes usually showed a compulsory ethical view that emphasized principles, whereas in a sports situation, they showed a double consciousness and revealed a very strong consequential ethical view which put much emphasis on outcome. Second, athletes strongly maintained a Confucian ethical view that recognized ethics as a norm compared to the general public and, as a result, it was found that paternalism was relatively stronger than rationalism in their ethical decision making. Third, athletes regarded other people's thoughts and group interests as important criteria for ethical decision-making rather than individual thoughts and interests, and showed a group-centered mindset which emphasized group harmony and relationship. Fourth, while the general public viewed excellent athletes as those with excellent skills and good personality, and valued their morality, athletes thought relatively little of the influence and importance of morality in their success. Finally, it was found that coaches and managers were fundamental to the formation of the athlete’s moral view. Conclusion An in-depth understanding of sports participants' ethical awareness should come first in order to enhance ethical consciousness in sport. I hope this study will work as a catalyst for research which approaches athletes' ethical consciousness from a socio-cultural context.
Purpose Highly popular these days, eSport is inviting increasing scholarly attention and research. Scholarly work on eSport, however, remains focused on whether eSport is a “real” sport, that is, its sporting qualities and status, excluding ethical issues. This paper analyzes ethical issues about cognitive enhancement drugs often associated with eSport in order to suggest guidelines for resolving these issues. Methods First, environmental features of eSport are examined to find out types of cheating in eSport, as well as the ways eSport athletes are exposed to drugs. Next, ethical issues of cognitive enhancement drug use and why they are important are discussed, drawing upon multiple scholars. Last, this paper argues that the ban on drug use conventionally implemented in sport is not appropriate to eSport due to the characteristics of eSport. The paper concludes with possible future approaches to this issue. Results The ban lists administered by ESIC and WADA would not work for the need of eSport athletes and even run a risk of stunting the growth of eSport industries. It is thus important to think up an appropriate drug-related policy for eSport. Preemptive education for eSport athletes is also required to promote the ethical consciousness and judgment regarding drug use. Conclusions Insofar as eSport’s huge popularity leads to the increased status of eSport athletes, thereby exerting much influence on young people, ethical questions about eSport, drug use in particular, need to be urgently discussed for the sake of eSport’s wholesome development.
