Sexual Harassment: A Non-Adversarial Approach

• NCJ Number: 198694
• Author(s): Joan Kennedy Taylor
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 238 pages
• Sale Source: New York University Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: A Cato Institute Book.

Annotation

Written to serve the interests of women who experience sexual harassment in their workplaces, this book proposes various non-adversarial methods whereby women can proactively prevent and stop many types of sexual harassment.

Abstract

Part 1 begins with an overview of the law's demands on business and what businesses have attempted to do to comply, followed by a review of the history of sexual harassment law. Another chapter in Part 1 presents research findings that support the view that sexual harassment is an issue of communication. Also discussed are the difficulties and fears that both men and women have regarding communication about sexual subjects in general, as well as differing cultural assumptions of men and women regarding business and communication. Part 2 addresses five areas of "male group culture" with which women may not be familiar and that can make male-dominated workplaces seem sexually harassing to women. These five areas are language, sexist jokes, visual pornography, the ubiquitousness of competition, and hazing. The intent of this discussion is to explain that male behavior that may be perceived by women as directed at them in a hostile way may simply be an inclusion of women in the male group culture as "one of the boys." Part 3 begins by examining steps that companies might take to prevent general sexual harassment as well as steps that individual female employees might take to prevent particular instances of sexual harassment. Attention is given to weaknesses in sexual harassment law, notably its genesis in discrimination law and its conflict with the First Amendment and connections between sexual harassment law and hate-speech codes, which are also contrary to the spirit of the First Amendment. Following a discussion of workplace training designed to prevent sexual harassment and reflect current law, the author suggests how businesses might improve their training. Further, unions and women's organizations are encouraged to make available courses and training that could help women avoid the passive role in countering sexual harassment that is fostered by current law. Chapter notes and a subject index