Sexual Revolution
When I have spoken to some people about my new book which deals with an historic civil rights case involving sexual harassment and discrimination at a law school, a few people have pooh-pooh’d the issue, claiming that the complainers are too sensitive. Oh, yes, of course. Women should just ignore detestable men fondling them, even though complaints would lead to their dismissal.
That women would actually suggests this means they haven’t been the victim of such behavior because those who have been the target of such indignities express disgust at the situation described in the book and go on to say that the problem is epidemic.
Of course conditions have changed dramatically in many workplaces, but certainly not in all. We can at least be grateful that we are moving in the right direction.
And to set the record straight, we can still enjoy the banter that goes on between men and women, and the flirting that is natural in appropriate circumstances. It’s healthy when it isn’t taken past the comfortability levels of those involved. If ever there is any doubt, erring should be on the side of prudery and withdrawal. For goodness sakes, women shouldn’t have to seek protection, but they do...still.
(Yes, men are also victims on occasion, though not nearly as often, but they should certainly not have to fend off unwanted advances either.)
It’s true that some people have taken advantage and cried wolf, but mostly the wolves are real. It’s also true that the workplace isn’t as fun as it used to be, and we can rue that, but it will be a lot more fun when no one feels in actual jeopardy.
One of the questions I raise in the book...a blasé university poohbah was asked how he would have felt if his wife was the victim. He was shocked. He hadn’t thought that far.
The process of evolution is that we think in ever broader terms.
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