Hyunjung Rhee

1. Introduction1.1. BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly highlighted the importance of remote communication, leading to an increased focus on the metaverse as a new frontier for social interaction. The metaverse, an integrated virtual community, blends physical and digital existences, enabling individuals to work, socialize, relax, and interact within a unified virtual space. Within this space, users assume the role of avatars, digital representations of their identities. Initially prevalent in gaming and chat services, avatars have evolved to influence various aspects of both online and offline life, becoming crucial tools for self-representation and identity exploration.Today, avatars extend their utility beyond mere user-character creation, playing pivotal roles in diverse domains. For instance, in cyber shopping malls, avatars enhance the online shopping experience by allowing users to virtually try on clothes and accessories (Wang et al., 2019). In education, avatars represent students and teachers in virtual classrooms, facilitating interactive learning environments (Sundar et al., 2020). In corporate settings, avatars simulate the presence of participants in virtual meetings, fostering collaboration in shared digital spaces (Microsoft, 2021).As digital spaces become integral to personal identity exploration, the metaverse offers unique opportunities to experiment with and challenge traditional concepts of identity, particularly gender identity. According to a survey conducted by Statista (2022), 23% of U.S. adults cited the desire to become someone different from their real selves as a motive for participating in the metaverse. Additionally, 24% expressed interest in embodying a different identity in the metaverse, highlighting a significant inclination to explore alternate versions of themselves.Previous research, such as that by Turkle (1995) and Taylor (1999), suggests that individuals strive to fulfill social desires or ideals in virtual worlds that remain unattainable in reality, often maintaining multiple identities across different virtual contexts. This human inclination to embody diverse identities in the metaverse is further underscored by the practice of avatar gender-swapping, where users freely create and customize avatars to explore different gender identities, often in ways that challenge conventional norms (Ducheneaut et al., 2009).Despite the opportunities for identity exploration, the metaverse is not entirely free from social constraints. Virtual environments often reproduce and even amplify existing social norms and hierarchies. For instance, Nakamura (2002) and Kendall (2002) highlighted how race, gender stereotypes, and social hierarchies are perpetuated in online spaces, suggesting that users bring their biases and prejudices into the virtual world. Similarly, Bullingham and Vasconcelos (2013) applied Goffman's (1959) theory of self-presentation to online identity construction, illustrating how users carefully curate their avatars to fit social expectations, which are influenced by both virtual and real-world social pressures. Moreover, Papacharissi (2010) pointed out that economic disparities present in the metaverse can mirror and exacerbate real-world inequalities.Given these dynamics, the phenomenon of avatar gender-swapping in virtual spaces like ZEPETO is particularly significant. It challenges traditional gender roles and offers a platform for users to explore and affirm diverse gender identities in a relatively safe and accepting environment. This study seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the motivations and outcomes of female gender-swapping activities within the ZEPETO platform. By focusing on how avatar experiences in the metaverse influence real-world perceptions of gender identity, this research aims to contribute to broader societal discussions on gender equality and inclusivity in the digital age.1.2 Research QuestionsGrounded in Symbolic Interactionism and Self-Presentation theories, this study empirically investigates the factors influencing identity confirmation and self-identification as projected onto avatars within the metaverse, particularly focusing on their impact on gender identity. Specifically, we analyze how female users' gender identity is affected when they transition to male avatars on the ZEPETO platform. This research first examines whether metaverse IT artifacts, experienced during these gender transitions, influence avatar identity confirmation and self-identification. Additionally, we explore how these factors in turn affect the users' real-world gender identity, particularly concerning their gender awareness and understanding.Research QuestionsRQ1: What are the specific impacts on user identity confirmation and self-identification when female users experience gender transition by adopting male avatars in the metaverse?RQ2: How do metaverse users perceive the recognition of their intended identity by others in the metaverse when they portray avatars of different genders?RQ3: In what ways does self-identification and identity confirmation through avatars of different genders in the metaverse influence users' sensitivity to gender identity in the real world, particularly in terms of gender awareness and understanding?1.3 Theoretical Background1.3.1 Symbolic Interactionism and Self-IdentityThe concept of self-identity has been a central topic in social sciences, with roots tracing back to classical thought. Socrates’ timeless assertion, "Know thyself," and Montaigne’s reflections on Socratic reasoning—claiming that "every human possesses within themselves the conditions necessary to become human"—underscore the enduring inquiry into the nature of the self (Coulmas, 2019). Theories from philosophers and psychoanalysts such as Hegel, Freud, and Lacan have further contributed to our understanding of self-identity over the centuries. However, this study focuses on self-identity...

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