The fall of Harvey Weinstein and other celebrity sex monsters feels like a cultural turning point.
There is a new resolve to make the workplace a more respectful and equitable place for women—for everyone.
But there is also a bit of panic in the air, which could ruin the moment.
That’s coming up next on the Factual Feminist.
In light of the recent scandals, companies everywhere are updating their harassment policies
to bring them in line with 21st Century standards of dignity and respect.
This is a welcome development.
But there are a few worrisome signs.
Remember Vice President Pence’s rule about never eating alone with a woman?
That was widely mocked as prissy just a few months ago.
But now, in the aftermath of the scandals, many think his rule--intended to protect women
from men, and men from false accusations--has been vindicated.
But whatever the intention—these rules take us backwards.
And everyone loses—especially women.
Young women need the support and mentorship of male supervisors, and in many industries
this means the kind of late-hour collaboration that have always been there for young men.
But calls for instituting the Pence rules aren’t the only manifestation of a new puritanism.
Christmas parties and happy hours are now under a cloud.
According to the New York Times, in some workplaces “open bars are being replaced with game zones."
Politico labor policy editor Timothy Noah suggests we could limit sexual harassment
by making meetings with anyone behind closed doors a fire-able offense.
Such suggestions are silly and infantilizing.
We need rules to rid us of creeps—not a sex panic.
A quick reality check is in order: There are about 151 million men and women in the US
workforce.
And, despite recent scandals most of them appear to be working together in relative
harmony.
They manage to hold meetings, plan product launches, attend conferences, travel,
and even attend parties where libations are served,
without incident.
Occasionally they do fall in love.
According to a Stanford sociologist, between 16 and 19 percent of married people met their
spouse at work.
Most of the sensational cases in the media involved high profile men working in unusual
environments-- with little or no accountability.
Companies with strong leaders who encourage civility and respect are far less likely to
have a problem.
They do need to have a clear policy against harassment, and a system for reporting bad
behavior.
Federal laws against sexual harassment were enacted to protect workers from pervasive,
severe bullying, coercion, or extortion.
They are not meant to be social purity codes.
Our current great awakening should not devolve into the Great Sex Panic of 2017
Speaking of panic—I’m also worried about male bashing and witch hunts.
Soon after the Weinstein scandal broke, an anonymously sourced “Shitty Media Men”
list began circulating on social media.
The blacklist accuses more than 70 male journalists of sexual harassment.
But the charges range from “weird lunches” to rape.
The informants collapse important distinctions between criminal predation and unwelcome flirtation.
The men couldn’t defend themselves- and anyone who tries can be accused of not believing
victims—even anonymous ones.
The blacklist received criticism—especially from leftists who pointed out the dangers.
They can destroy innocent lives.
But some prominent feminists dismissed criticism as “backlash.”
Writer Roxane Gay disparaged “all the hand-wringing about …the ethics of anonymous disclosure.”
She suggested all men confess to “how they have hurt women in ways great and small.”
Now this male-adverse feminism is not mainstream, but its influence is growing.
Not only is it wrong to tar half of humanity, but condemnation of all men will hurt a necessary
and worthy cause.
A recent NBC/WSJ poll found that a majority of men say they are now more
likely to speak out if they see sexist mistreatment in the workplace.
Let’s not squander this moment, which is a profound opportunity for women and men of
good will to speak honestly and work together to begin to write the next chapter in the
quest for equality and dignity.
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