The Myth of Male Power by Dr. Warren Farrell

Author:Dr. Warren Farrell [Farrell, Warren]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Social Science, Gender Studies
ISBN: 9781629211091
Publisher: Dr. Warren Farrell
Published: 2014-02-11T05:00:00+00:00

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Reproduced by Special Permission of PLAYBOY Magazine: Copyright © 1992 by PLAYBOY.

first initiative. Sexual initiatives by men toward women below them at work is the most frequent definition of sexual harassment. When it works, it's called courtship. When it doesn't work, it's called harassment.

Isn't it harassment only when he persists? Not legally. For some women, any initiative—even one—could make her feel uncomfortable and therefore create a hostile environment. And that is all she needs to have her lawsuit upheld.

Many women acknowledge being married to men to whom they had at first said "no." By today's standards, they are married to sexual harassers; but some of these women are glad these men pursued.

Should Coworkers Be Lovers?

Women especially say it is important to get to know someone before having sex with them. The workplace gives a woman the opportunity to observe a man—how he handles people above him and below him, his competence, his temper, his ethics, values, habits. For most women, it works a lot better than bars. Overall, 35 million Americans report some kind of "social-sexual" experience on their jobs each week. 22 More than 80 percent of all workers say they've had such an experience on their job. 23 When it works, we call it a wedding and the woman's picture is in the paper; when it doesn't, we call it a lawsuit and the man's picture is in the paper.

Why Do Men Tell Dirty Jokes?

First, both sexes tell dirty jokes. Even as the mostly male Congress had passed legislation to allow dirty jokes to constitute a "hostile environment," female members of Congress were circulating male-bashing humor. 24 Example? "What's the difference between government bonds and men?" "Bonds mature." This was permitted. But had the men asked, "What's the difference between government bonds and women?" and answered, "Bonds are worth more when they mature," they could be sued. Similarly, the women were joking, "Why is it a good thing there are female astronauts?" and answering, "So someone will ask directions if the crew gets lost in space." Apparently the male congressmen were afraid to ask, "Who answered when the female astronaut asked for directions?"

294 Government As Substitute Husband

Although both sexes have their own styles of humor, we often heard during the Thomas-Hill confrontation that dirty jokes were the way male bosses exert their power over women. Hardly. Men share dirty jokes with peers, buddies, and with anyone with whom they feel comfortable. A dirty joke is often a male boss's unconscious way of getting his staff to not take him so seriously and therefore not be intimidated; his way of creating an atmosphere of easier feedback, of getting his staff to bond. Men get confused when women say they feel left out when they're not included, then sue when they are included!

Ironically, at the same time millions of dollars are

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