‘That’s What Girls Have to Think About All the Time’: Board Games for Civic Engagement and Perspective-Taking

Board games serve as potent instruments for fostering civic engagement and empathy when designed to mirror the systemic inequities of the real world. By utilizing the intentionally imbalanced board game Right 2 Roam, researchers demonstrate that procedural rhetoric and chance-based mechanics can effectively simulate the gendered experiences of public safety and mobility. This approach moves beyond traditional educational methods, creating a structured yet flexible environment where players navigate systemic barriers that reflect the vulnerability and privilege inherent in everyday life.

The study, conducted through 14 workshops involving 54 participants, highlights how collaborative social play encourages the disclosure of personal narratives. By mapping game components to real-world scenarios—such as protective strategies and intersectional identity—the design facilitates deep reflection on social injustices. The inclusion of customizable elements allows participants to integrate their own lived experiences into the gameplay, transforming the board into a site for critical discourse. This methodology proves that when games are engineered to be intentionally unequal, they provide a safe space for players to confront and discuss complex social issues.

Ultimately, the findings suggest that analog games are highly effective tools for building empathy and facilitating meaningful dialogue regarding systemic inequality. By bridging the gap between abstract game mechanics and concrete social realities, these experiences encourage players to move beyond individual perspectives toward a shared understanding of collective safety. This research establishes a robust framework for using ludic design to address sensitive societal topics, proving that the strategic application of imbalance and collaboration can serve as a catalyst for profound perspective-taking and civic awareness.