The double standard here is that male characters are rarely written as being fanservice for women. They are their own people, who are capable of kicking ass and taking names, without there necessarily being a sexual element to it. It's assumed, you as the player, are a straight male and want to *be* the main character, if he's male. I can't think of many female characters who haven't clearly been written with a straight male audience in mind. In this case, the character isn't written as someone you want to be, it's someone you want to do.
Even male characters who have sexual elements to them (Kratos is the only one suddenly springing to mind) do it from a position of dominance and strength, and it's compartmentalised from their general behaviour. Even though Kratos is basically naked, he's not wearing something that enhances any sexual characteristics -- it doesn't cling to his groin or particularly direct attention to his arse -- and nor does he pose in provocative ways in his general fighting. You don't see him gesticulating madly at his crotch as parts of his finishing moves.
The reason this is problematic and sexist is basically; history. And stereotyping. Women's sexuality is always treated as a reaction to, or the possession of male sexuality. Apart from being heterocentric as hell, it's also part of this idea that women should be shamed about being sexual beings. The idea is that women aren't themselves sexual, it's just that we ~give in~ to male dominance. Conversely, women who are overtly sexual are treated as doing it for the approval of men - regardless of if the woman in question is even attracted to men.
There's what's called the "Madonna-whore complex" (sometimes called the "virgin-whore complex"), which is this idea that women have to simultaneously be chaste and sexually available.
If you're open about your sexuality you're "aggressive", "unladylike", "slutty", "asking for it" etc
if you're not particularly open about your sexuality, you're "frigid" "a prude" "in need of a good dicking", etc
basically: women can't win.
Even male characters who have sexual elements to them (Kratos is the only one suddenly springing to mind) do it from a position of dominance and strength, and it's compartmentalised from their general behaviour. Even though Kratos is basically naked, he's not wearing something that enhances any sexual characteristics -- it doesn't cling to his groin or particularly direct attention to his arse -- and nor does he pose in provocative ways in his general fighting. You don't see him gesticulating madly at his crotch as parts of his finishing moves.
The reason this is problematic and sexist is basically; history. And stereotyping. Women's sexuality is always treated as a reaction to, or the possession of male sexuality. Apart from being heterocentric as hell, it's also part of this idea that women should be shamed about being sexual beings. The idea is that women aren't themselves sexual, it's just that we ~give in~ to male dominance. Conversely, women who are overtly sexual are treated as doing it for the approval of men - regardless of if the woman in question is even attracted to men.
There's what's called the "Madonna-whore complex" (sometimes called the "virgin-whore complex"), which is this idea that women have to simultaneously be chaste and sexually available.
If you're open about your sexuality you're "aggressive", "unladylike", "slutty", "asking for it" etc
if you're not particularly open about your sexuality, you're "frigid" "a prude" "in need of a good dicking", etc
basically: women can't win.
![[Image: 6WzBw.gif]](/image.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6WzBw.gif&hash=6ff886b5afbfba9968aaf662f3956817)