Page 54 - Character Designer's Handbook [2020 Sampler Edition]

Introduction

Sometimes a project may call for a traditional gender role to be

switched. Situations like a woman as a breadwinner and a male as a

homemaker, an ef feminate male or masculine female, and even just

putting a character into a job usually f illed by the opposite gender are

all examples of this.

A
A Tidbit About Role Reversal Tidbit About Role Reversal
Role reversal can be a very useful tool for breaking common expectations and
stereotypes but it's also easy to overuse or exploit it as a method. It's important to
consider not only the basic differences between men and women but how they handle
things mentally and physically as this will affect how they tackle the roles you put them
in.

General Usage Noteseneral Usage Notes
G
-The role is being reversed but not the gender
itself. The character should still retain any
significant gender traits.

-Don't fall prey to gender stereotypes or
change the role drastically to fit the character's
gender.

-Never communicate that a particular gender
is more or less capable at a role. That's close-
minded and offensive.

-Tailoring or changing the props or tools of a
role to fit the gender shift should be done
reasonably and tastefully.

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