Sexual Harassment Sensitivity and Gender: Clarifying the Differences

Lillian Y. Fok
Sandra J. Hartman
Stephen M. Crow


DOI: 10.2190/562H-WL1H-A9Q6-65GG

Abstract

The traditional view of sexual harassment sensitivity is that in certain circumstances, social-sexual behaviors are viewed as sexual harassment by women, but not so by men. The findings of the research reported here suggest a dichotomy that may revise this point of view. On an intellectual level, social-sexual behaviors are seen as sexual harassment by both men and women in certain circumstances. However, on an emotional level, the appropriate organizational punishment for social-sexual behaviors viewed as sexual harassment are drawn along gender lines to the extent that women may deal more severely with sexual harassment offenders than do men.

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