Paradox Of Power And Gender In The Workplace

Topic: The Role of Power and Gender in Workplace Harassment

Part B

McLaughlin, H. et al (2012). Sexual Harassment, Workplace Authority and the Paradox of Power. American Sociological Review, 77(4), 625-647.

This study collected data from the Youth Development Study to examine three hypotheses; whether women in authoritative power are frequently harassed, whether nonconformity of gender was linked to increased risks of harassment, and that there will be an increase of sexual harassment in male-dominated workplaces. Their aim was to get a better understanding of how and why gender, sex and power influence harassment in the workplace. They examined how often workers report harassing behaviours, and whether the victim saw the

The females with authority likely define these instances as sexual harassment, due to their education and knowledge of harassment. The relationship between femininity and harassment is significantly less than the relationship between authority and sex because women who identify as feminine don’t report harassment as often. Females with authority in male-dominated workplaces experience more harassment because they are a threat to male positions. Males and females are more likely harassed in male-dominated workplaces because it is a way to enforce gender-appropriate behaviour (ie. Women don’t belong at the top, this isn’t a place for women, and guys don’t act that way).

Uggen, C & Blackstone A (2004). Sexual Harassment as a Gendered Expression of Power. American Sociological Review, 69(1), 64-92.

They used the 1999 portion of the Youth Development Study to explore whether people defined their experiences as sexual harassment. They examined the significance of workplace harassment in adolescence and adulthood, and whether the same individuals were targeted in both. They believe that women are targets more than men, and that adolescence are harassed in relation to how many hours they

Girls were more bothered by harassment then boys because they were taught from an early age to protect their sexuality. As they got older, some of the women changed their expectations and expected to be viewed as an equal in their jobs. When asked to reflect on past experiences, some of the female participants decided that they would change their opinion because their experiences had changed and shaped their views. In the case of one girl, she had an unpleasant experience with an older male at work, and she would now identify it as sexual harassment based on the fact that he was older than her and it was inappropriate. Men changed their views on experiences from when they were younger, but did not use the word harassment to describe. This could be because men are reluctant to label or see themselves as victims because it contradicts