The Power of Us: How We Stop Sexual Harassment | Marianne Cooper | TEDxUniversityofNevada

Summary

This script addresses the pervasive issue of sexual harassment, rooted in gender inequality and power imbalances. It identifies male-dominated, hierarchical, and permissive organizations as breeding grounds for harassment. The speaker calls for societal and organizational change, emphasizing the importance of leadership, the inclusion of more women in power, and individual actions to challenge and change the status quo.

Takeaways

• 🚨 Sexual harassment is a pervasive issue affecting various industries and institutions, including companies, universities, and workplaces like restaurants and movie sets.
• 🔄 It is rooted in gender inequality, which is both a cause and consequence of sexual harassment, indicating a cycle that perpetuates the problem.
• 📚 To address sexual harassment, understanding the underlying research and root causes is crucial, especially the varying prevalence in different sectors.
• 🏢 Organizations that are male-dominated, highly hierarchical, and lenient towards misconduct are more prone to sexual harassment.
• 👥 In male-dominated environments, 'locker room cultures' can foster an atmosphere where women are undermined and excluded, setting the stage for harassment.
• 🧩 Gender harassment, involving sexist comments and gestures, is a common form of harassment that communicates to women that they don't belong in certain roles or spaces.
• ⛰️ Hierarchical power structures can enable harassment, as those in power may feel entitled to act without repercussions, especially when power differences are significant.
• 🛡️ The tolerance of bad behavior by organizations is the biggest predictor of sexual harassment; permissive environments encourage further misconduct.
• 🔝 Leadership plays a critical role in preventing sexual harassment; proactive measures by leaders can significantly reduce its occurrence.
• 👩‍💼 Increasing women in leadership positions can help balance power dynamics and promote a more equitable and inclusive organizational culture.
• 🤝 Individual actions matter; calling out inappropriate behavior and supporting victims can challenge the normalization of sexual harassment and contribute to cultural change.

Q & A

What is the core issue of sexual harassment according to the script?

The core issue of sexual harassment is about the unequal power relations between men and women, which stems from gender inequality, both as a cause and a consequence of sexual harassment.

Why does sexual harassment persist despite being illegal for decades?

Sexual harassment persists due to a lack of understanding of the root causes, the pervasiveness of gender inequality, and the presence of certain organizational characteristics that foster such behavior.

What are the three characteristics of organizations where sexual harassment is more likely to occur?

Sexual harassment is more likely to occur in organizations that are male-dominated, super hierarchical, and forgiving of bad behavior.

Why are male-dominated organizations prone to sexual harassment?

Male-dominated organizations often have 'locker room cultures' characterized by aggressive and competitive behaviors, where sexualized talk and crude jokes undermine and exclude women, setting the stage for sexual harassment.

What is 'gender harassment' and how does it relate to dominance?

Gender harassment is a form of sexual harassment where victims are demeaned by sexist comments, obscene gestures, or offensive material. It communicates to women that they don't belong, especially in traditionally male-dominated roles or when they exhibit assertive or aggressive behavior.

How does power dynamics in hierarchical environments contribute to sexual harassment?

In hierarchical environments, power imbalances can lead to abuse, as people in power may not consider others' feelings, take no for an answer, or face consequences for their actions, which can lead to abusive behaviors.

What is the significance of leadership in determining a company's tolerance for sexual harassment?

Leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone for a company's culture. When leaders take sexual harassment seriously, promptly investigate complaints, and ensure consequences for perpetrators, harassment is less likely to occur.

What happened at Uber and Fox News that exemplifies a permissive organization's tolerance for sexual harassment?

At Uber, Susan Fowler's repeated reports of harassment were ignored because the perpetrator was a top performer. At Fox News, Bill O'Reilly received a lucrative contract despite harassment allegations, reflecting a culture that tolerates bad behavior.

Why are the most vulnerable women more frequently targeted by sexual harassment?

The most vulnerable women, such as those with less education in low-paid service jobs or minorities, are more frequently targeted due to their limited power to resist or report harassment without fear of retribution.

What can individuals do to help prevent and address sexual harassment?

Individuals can call out inappropriate behaviors when they witness them, support victims by validating their experiences, and actively participate in changing social norms that devalue women and condone harassment.

How can societal change be achieved to combat sexual harassment?

Societal change can be achieved by recognizing and addressing systemic issues and cultural beliefs that perpetuate gender inequality, using collective power through consumer and voting power, and holding perpetrators accountable.