The construction of esports careers in France: Are there gender-based inequalities right from the start?

Abstract

This article examines the construction of esports careers for French esports players, emphasizing gender-based socialization. We used an online questionnaire administered to both men and women recreational and amateur esports players ( n = 343) to understand and identify potential barriers or levers to participation by men and women, especially for the stage of “Commitment” which is embodied in participation in esports competitions. The theoretical approach centred around the concept of career is mobilized to sequence the careers of men and women esports players and identify the differences between men and women within the different stages of an “esports career.” Key findings reveal that male figures often introduce players to video games, with men generally experiencing more “autonomous” and diversified” initiations than women. They also lag behind men players in terms of years of experience, and they face negative criticism from their peers, impeding their “commitment.” These insights underline the barriers women face at the onset of their esports careers and call for further research into social mechanisms to enhance women's inclusion in esports.