WOMEN AND eSPORTS

A LOOK FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF MOTIVATIONS AND DISCRIMINATIONS

Abstract

Given the expansion of eSports and gender inequality in this context, it is relevant to discuss the relationship of young women with eSports. Our research aims to contribute to this discussion by exploring the motivations of young women for participating in eSports and investigating if there are discriminations in this area. To do so, we used the Sports Motivation Inventory and developed questions about the participants' perception regarding videogames as an activity aimed at boys, as well as the criticisms and compliments received from male and female players. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed based on the relative frequency of responses. The results suggest that the main motivational factor is "Friendship and leisure", with practices predominantly taking place in a leisure context. There is a widespread perception among female players that videogames are geared towards boys, and they reported receiving more criticism and fewer compliments from male players compared to female players. We conclude that leisure plays a central role in women's experience in eSports and that there are discriminations in the Brazilian context, in line with international studies highlighting male domination in this space.