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Author
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Topic: Why are there less Women involved in Organized Play
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Apolonia
Member
Member # 83163
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posted October 10, 2002 03:26 PM
This topic is getting better and better everytime i read it.
Because English is not my first language i can't write all the things i like to explain or ask.
But first of all thanks for answering all of you, it's giving me an idea how to go on.
Most answers came out of the USA and i want to say that running a league in the States is really something else them what i'm doing overhere.
There is no store overhere running a league, if you ask to do it for them, they laugh at you and decline you stupid/mad (hit by a windmill). And tell you that they don't want to spend money on that.
I was traveling every week 40 miles to go to a league with my kids, and learned and learned about the game.
Now I have started my own gym overhere (if you may call it a gym)
That means i rented a place on my own costs.
Build decks with my own cards.
Wrote articles in the local newspapers.
And see what happened.
After 5 weeks i have 20 kids playing (only 3 girls), they love to come and bring other friends with them.
The girls are very young and 2 of them are playing 1 or 2 games and them quit to make a nice painting for me.
I told there parents that they are enjoying their time with me, but not really learning the game.
I don't mind because they are very sweet and if their parents agree with this, meaby there will be a creative corner every week in my "gym".
The fact that they don't have to play but can make coloring papers, painting, or whatever the can create with pokemon, made it easier for the girls to come.
Because i'm not playing in a store, gives my the freedom to create an invironment were they all can feel comfortable.
I know that is not the idea of a gym, but if this is the way i can learn kids the game, who is going to blame me.
Because i'm "independent" i made some simple rules they have to keep.
One of them is ugly words are not permitted, if i hear someone say one wrong word they are kicked out, no exception.
All my kids are under the age of 12, so still in the age of listening to an adult. I really don't know what should happen if i get some older kids.
My strong point is that i tell them every week i don't allow fighting or ugly words and if you don't want to follow normal social rules you are out. Simpel and clear.
This week i made an Newsletter for the kids and a part for the parents.
Trying to explain what we are doing and that they are welcome to enjoy the game with their kids.
The funny thing i got one reaction from one of the dads ( he is called housedad, he is home doing all the things for the kids and housekeeping, and his wife is going out for work)
He told me he was learning the game with the CD-rom i gave him and liked the game.
For me a reason to ask him to help me running the gym. He is thinking about it, so i hope he will agree, because seeing adults playing meaby will invite more adults to play.
I wrote this to share my experience with other people running a league/gym and if there are more ideas i'm listening.
But i placed a topic about female in OP and found in the reply all the things that also past my mind.
There is a difference in how boys and girls play not only with pokemon, but in general.
But i think the girls who are playing pokemon are not the girls who are playing dolls and having everything pink colored (sorry for the stereotype).
I found out in this topic that the environment is very important, and getting rit of the idea that pokemon is a kids game too.
If the coming weeks there are changes in my gym, by getting suddenly adults to play or so i will post this so that every one can do their advantage with my experiences.
Michel - I was there too in Eindhoven, playing also in the 35+ (fossil) group. But i learned the game 14 days before so that's why i lost from you.
Hoping for a revenge one day.
[ October 10, 2002, 05:10 PM: Message edited by: Apolonia ]
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The Netherlands is that a city nearby Paris
From: Netherlands | Registered: May 2002
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RaNd0m
Member # 73173
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posted October 10, 2002 04:06 PM
Hmmm nice topic ![[Smile]](../tcg/smile.gif)
I think someone pointed out that one of the main reasons are that girls don't play video games often. It's actually true...
I think one of the major reasons the girls that do play (most of them) are either parents or 12-... is mainly because the 13+ girls are more interested in stuff that concerns them... (school), pageants, other stuff. Pokemon isn't a huge concern.
I disagree with Pokemom though about the "trashtalk" sending ppl away. Most of the girls I know that play the game are rather tough... and they'll give it right back. In a competitive game, trash-talking is the norm. I can understand if some four letter words are involved where you'd be offended, but just saying stuff like "Oh, your DEAD this game" isn't really a bad thing.
My sister plays... and when she beats someone, she tells them good game, and leaves. She doesn't apologize unless she's playing a cute guy. *rolls eyes*
So yeah, the girls that play are minute. But... it's like that in MOST TCG's. Magic? Not too many girls... Yu-Gi-Oh? Articles even say it's targeted at GUYS. And remember, Pokemon originally started out with a male trainer...
~ RaNd0m
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~ RaNd0m the Professor ;D
From: Illinois...=\ | Registered: Mar 2002
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Lacy
Member # 43928
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posted October 15, 2002 05:29 PM
This topic is of interest to me because I'm an "adult" woman (well, I'm 18) that plays the Pokemon TCG.
The reason I think fewer older women play the PTCG is because they're just not attracted to it. The "violence" of the game has never been an issue of the game for me, because really I wouldn't describe Pokemon battles as violent. It just doesn't have a lot of appeal to most women.
Someone else mentioned another reason why more women don't play Pokemon is because they may not feel comfortable where Pokemon is being played, and that is very true! Sometimes a store or shop might seem intimidating. Also, many young women (even my age) are still concerned with how they appear to their peers, and playing Pokemon just isn't the norm among young adult females.
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Administrator at: Raichu12.com and PTCO
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From: Atlanta, GA | Registered: Sep 2001
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Raichu12
Member
Member # 87870
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posted October 15, 2002 05:56 PM
[follows his girlfriend onto the board]
I have pretty much similar results. There are almost no girls left in what's left of the BAM league here. The main exceptions are our assistant GL and her three daughters. All of them make the most of the time and play lots of games. Even the youngest, who is 6 years old and tends to do as 6-year-olds do.
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Live in south Louisiana? Play the PTCG? Please contact me!
From: Lafayette, Louisiana | Registered: Jun 2002
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Tahna
Member # 2850
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posted October 16, 2002 12:25 AM
True, though there is a lot of small Thrash-talk going on at my Gym, I try to apologize as much as possible for it and don't speak it in front of the smaller kids, those over 14 will just as easy throw it back at me.
As for girls over here, we have one and she is not to be messed with. As soon as she really understands her deck she will be able to open big cans of whoop-thingy on us.
(I can't blame her for that, but she just restyled it last week, so it'll take time)
As for competetive play, I've only seen Apolonia, Lia, Henna and Anna play in the 15+ category (I'm sorry for neglecting the Belgian players here, but I will leave those to Michel and other players, since I only know little of the Dutch Tourney scene)
As said before, most TCGs have always been played more by males, I don't know the exact reason, but hormones and independence might the right answer.
The Restless
[ October 16, 2002, 12:26 AM: Message edited by: Tahna ]
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"Well," said the unicorn, "now that we have seen each other. If you believe in me, I'll believe in you."
In shadows we stand, the last of our race.
From: the most tolerant place on earth, the cemetery | Registered: Mar 2001
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Michel
Member # 286
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posted October 16, 2002 02:58 PM
Actually, only two Belgian girls are very competitive. My daughter Laetitia (11-15) and Yolande Gilissen (15+) ... I think I would say that Yolande is not a girl, but a very nice woman, ... and mother of Nick Alfaro who went to Worlds and to the TMB with us.
But we also have 1 Master Professor (who runs a league and tournaments), 1 Professor, and another woman who runs a league and tournaments too.
You may add some girls who are very good players too. Give them some more time, and they'll go higher. ![[Wink]](../tcg/wink.gif)
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Proud member of Team Europe
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From: Brussels - Belgium | Registered: Feb 2001
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purity
Member # 76
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posted October 16, 2002 06:40 PM
it's an interesting topic and comes up now and again, and one thing i've often wondered is does it really matter that more guys than girls seem to play? i mean....if people (male or female) really want to do something, they do it. 'social conditioning' probably enters into it to some degree, but still...... i used to belong to a needlework newsgroup, and we never (well, almost never) sat around stressing about how to bring more guys into the wonderful world of embroidery.
pure
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From: new york | Registered: Feb 2001
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yoshi1001
Member # 825
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posted October 16, 2002 07:00 PM
quote:
it's an interesting topic and comes up now and again, and one thing i've often wondered is does it really matter that more guys than girls seem to play?
It matters to us guys. ![[Big Grin]](../tcg/biggrin.gif)
In one regard, it represents an untapped market. Understanding why there are so few girls could help us tap into that market. Secondly, it helps promote understanding between the two groups. Lastly, there is a certain desire for political correctness.
But actually it just boils down to that us men are really lonely. Or maybe that's just me.
Mewtwo: You're pathetic.
You noticed?
Of course, if you watch the TV show or play the video games, you'll notice that there's plenty of girls around. Dunno what they're doing that we're not.
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AIM: yoshi1001
From: Janesville, Wisconsin | Registered: Feb 2001
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Lacy
Member # 43928
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posted October 16, 2002 07:21 PM
quote:
But actually it just boils down to that us men are really lonely. Or maybe that's just me.
You're welcome at my tournaments anytime. ![[Angel]](../tcg/graemlins/angel.gif)
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Master Professor and Tournament Organizer
Administrator at: Raichu12.com and PTCO
Contact: [email protected]
From: Atlanta, GA | Registered: Sep 2001
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Tahna
Member # 2850
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posted October 17, 2002 12:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by purity:
i used to belong to a needlework newsgroup, and we never (well, almost never) sat around stressing about how to bring more guys into the wonderful world of embroidery.
pure
Might be something to do as a side event for the next Stadium or Gym Challenge. ![[Cool]](../tcg/cool.gif)
The Restless
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"Well," said the unicorn, "now that we have seen each other. If you believe in me, I'll believe in you."
In shadows we stand, the last of our race.
From: the most tolerant place on earth, the cemetery | Registered: Mar 2001
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ukpokemonpro
Member # 518
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posted October 17, 2002 12:03 AM
Apolonia,
quote:
Most answers came out of the USA and i want to say that running a league in the States is really something else them what i'm doing overhere...
There is no store overhere running a league, if you ask to do it for them, they laugh at you and decline you stupid/mad (hit by a windmill). And tell you that they don't want to spend money on that...
I was traveling every week 40 miles to go to a league with my kids, and learned and learned about the game.
Now I have started my own gym overhere (if you may call it a gym)
That means i rented a place on my own costs.
Build decks with my own cards.
Wrote articles in the local newspapers.
And see what happened. After 5 weeks i have 20 kids playing (only 3 girls), they love to come and bring other friends with them.
Now if only everyone who loves this game would do as much as you ...
I have noticed that the girls at our league; about 1/3rd of the players, do approach the game differently depending on their age...
The younger girls are very competative and love beating the boys .. the older girls are more relaxed they still like to win but are less agressive and will often do other pokemon related projects... one is even putting her own cartoon together!
It is the 18+ group that I see missing and I am not sure what my partner would think if I start targetting mums to come and play
Seriously Pokemon is not MtG or Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the other more violent games, it does appeal across all ages and to some extent all sexes.
Unfortunately I think BattleZone may have a negative image with female players but we shall see..
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ukpokemonpro
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From: Gillingham, Kent, UK | Registered: Feb 2001
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John Kulp
Member
Member # 64111
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posted October 17, 2002 12:45 PM
How so ukpokemonpro? Because it sounds too competitive or too aggressive? I just like to know your reasoning.
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From: Pittsburgh,PA | Registered: Feb 2002
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Apolonia
Member
Member # 83163
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posted October 18, 2002 02:29 PM
You know why i like to have more girls around on the gym. They have a different way of verbal expression.
Boys could learn from girls how they communicate and girl can learn from boys to be more assertive.
Not only for the game but for their social behaviour.
For example when they are playing i told them to speak out loud every move they make with their cards,if you play a bill you say i play a bill and that means i can draw 2 cards.
Then the opponent can ask why are you playing bill.
And then comes the importent part, one player is explaining why he made that move so the other can learn from this, but also the opponent sometimes tells the one who played bill you should better do this or that because ......
And that's how you learn to play, but you need to know how to express yourself
Remember they all just started playing.
For boys that is sometimes a hard job, because i noticed their minds are on attack attack attack.
But i also think that the girls/women who are involved in this game already are assertive and can learn from the point of view the boys are playing the game.
I know this will change when you play longer, but for starters it works, for me i enjoy to see them explaining. Most of them can already read the english cards and translate them in their own language.
Enough for now i have to make a deck for the tournament sunday, the kids have borrowed all the "good" cards, so i will prepare something with the left overs.
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The Netherlands is that a city nearby Paris
From: Netherlands | Registered: May 2002
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