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Poll: Views on sexual harassment at work divide women by age
- Thread starter playahaitian
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This fall, sexual harassment and misconduct has become more than a news story, it has become a continuous theme of coverage with new allegations emerging on a weekly, sometimes daily, basis.
But as the stream of stories continues, data show that men and women – and particularly younger and older Americans – bring different views on how widespread harassment is and what it looks like. A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows the gender and generational differences.
The October poll found that nearly 7 in 10 Americans, 67 percent, believe that sexual harassment happens in almost all or most workplaces. There were differences between men and women on the question, but they weren’t especially stark.
Overall, 62 percent of men and 71 percent of women believe sexual harassment happens at almost all or most workplaces. So, a difference of 9 percentage points.
Add age into the mix, however, and the numbers look different among both men and women.
Among women 18- to 49-years-old, 78 percent say, “sexual harassment happens in almost all or most workplaces.” But among women, 50-or-older the number falls 14 points to 64 percent, that’s below the national average.
Among 18- to 49-year-old men, 68 percent say they believe harassment happens in almost all or most workplaces. But among men 50-or-older the figure is 55 percent, 13 percentage points lower.
In other words, gender seems to play a role in how widespread you think sexual harassment is, but age is the bigger divider.
There could be a few reasons for those generational differences. It could be that younger people talk more about harassment with their friends and colleagues. Or it could be that harassment is more commonly aimed at younger people today.
But a key element to understanding the age splits on harassment may be that the members of different generations see harassment differently. People who are 18- to 49-years-old have grown up in an environment and in workplaces that are more cognizant of sexual harassment, where workplace training targeting harassment have become commonplace.
There is evidence for that reading of the numbers elsewhere in the poll.
One question asked women whether they had “received an unwelcome sexual advance or other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature at work.” The “yes” responses climbed by age group. Among women 18- to 34-years old 56 percent said yes. With 35- to 49-year-olds the figure was 44 percent. For those ages 50-or-older, 41 percent said yes.
There was no time element in that question, referring to this year or last year, it covers the entire time of each respondent’s career. For a woman in her 60s, that time period would go back to the 1970s. For a woman in her 20s, that would likely only go back a decade.
Is it possible that there is more sexual harassment in workplaces today than there was 20 or 30 years ago, even as more attention is paid to the issue? Yes. But it’s also possible that the past few decades, mores have changed – inappropriate behavior that was once written off as “boys will be boys” in the office is now viewed as wrong.
Regardless of the reason, however, the generational differences in the numbers suggest that this fall’s focus on sexual harassment and misconduct may have lasting impacts in the workplace for years to come. The poll data show the stories that have rocked politics, media and the entertainment industry have impacted both genders, but they have particularly resonated among younger Americans.
Overall, 49 percent of men said the stories of this fall had caused them to think about their own behavior and how they interact with women. And 44 percent of women said the stories made them want to share their own past personal experiences about how they had been treated as a woman.
But with both genders, those figures were much higher among younger people. Among men 18- to 34-years-old, 58 percent said this fall had caused them to think about how they interact with women. And among women 18- to 34-years-old, 55 percent said this fall’s string of stories makes them want to share past experiences more.
But as the stream of stories continues, data show that men and women – and particularly younger and older Americans – bring different views on how widespread harassment is and what it looks like. A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows the gender and generational differences.
The October poll found that nearly 7 in 10 Americans, 67 percent, believe that sexual harassment happens in almost all or most workplaces. There were differences between men and women on the question, but they weren’t especially stark.
Overall, 62 percent of men and 71 percent of women believe sexual harassment happens at almost all or most workplaces. So, a difference of 9 percentage points.
Add age into the mix, however, and the numbers look different among both men and women.
Among women 18- to 49-years-old, 78 percent say, “sexual harassment happens in almost all or most workplaces.” But among women, 50-or-older the number falls 14 points to 64 percent, that’s below the national average.
Among 18- to 49-year-old men, 68 percent say they believe harassment happens in almost all or most workplaces. But among men 50-or-older the figure is 55 percent, 13 percentage points lower.
In other words, gender seems to play a role in how widespread you think sexual harassment is, but age is the bigger divider.
There could be a few reasons for those generational differences. It could be that younger people talk more about harassment with their friends and colleagues. Or it could be that harassment is more commonly aimed at younger people today.
But a key element to understanding the age splits on harassment may be that the members of different generations see harassment differently. People who are 18- to 49-years-old have grown up in an environment and in workplaces that are more cognizant of sexual harassment, where workplace training targeting harassment have become commonplace.
There is evidence for that reading of the numbers elsewhere in the poll.
One question asked women whether they had “received an unwelcome sexual advance or other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature at work.” The “yes” responses climbed by age group. Among women 18- to 34-years old 56 percent said yes. With 35- to 49-year-olds the figure was 44 percent. For those ages 50-or-older, 41 percent said yes.
There was no time element in that question, referring to this year or last year, it covers the entire time of each respondent’s career. For a woman in her 60s, that time period would go back to the 1970s. For a woman in her 20s, that would likely only go back a decade.
Is it possible that there is more sexual harassment in workplaces today than there was 20 or 30 years ago, even as more attention is paid to the issue? Yes. But it’s also possible that the past few decades, mores have changed – inappropriate behavior that was once written off as “boys will be boys” in the office is now viewed as wrong.
Regardless of the reason, however, the generational differences in the numbers suggest that this fall’s focus on sexual harassment and misconduct may have lasting impacts in the workplace for years to come. The poll data show the stories that have rocked politics, media and the entertainment industry have impacted both genders, but they have particularly resonated among younger Americans.
Overall, 49 percent of men said the stories of this fall had caused them to think about their own behavior and how they interact with women. And 44 percent of women said the stories made them want to share their own past personal experiences about how they had been treated as a woman.
But with both genders, those figures were much higher among younger people. Among men 18- to 34-years-old, 58 percent said this fall had caused them to think about how they interact with women. And among women 18- to 34-years-old, 55 percent said this fall’s string of stories makes them want to share past experiences more.
I already go to those meetings
Sexual Harassers Anonymus..
Hi I'm a sexual harasser and I'm 2 days sober
Sexual Harassers Anonymus..
Hi I'm a sexual harasser and I'm 2 days sober
They will push it until it gets considered "NORMAL behavior.
Women taking over corporate America and the world. ..
Soon men will be enslaved for procreation and labor...
You seen wonder woman ?
The definition of what is considered sexual harassment is not uniform across all people.
I got into a heated discussion with a female friend of mine about this in some cases some women put the selves in a bad situation by Being a round someone with a reputation of harassment and the woman knows about his reputation pretty well. Case in point Harvey Weinstein it has been rumors about this guy for damn 20+ years a yet women still was willing to be along with him in his office. Don’t get me wrong sexual-harassment is bad and should be dealt with harshly but some women and in some cases some men need to evaluate the situation before they step into it.
I sure have and i'd go raw in Got Dagot.
Anybody who works in an office environment know of women who dress like they going to the club and like the attentire and use it to their benefit...
It ain't harassment if she says no or says she is offended and you stop.
Asking isn't harassment......not taking no for your answer is..
Putting mirrors in your shoelaces definitely is.
Wireless cameras in the woman's bathroom is frowned on.
It ain't harassment if she says no or says she is offended and you stop.
Asking isn't harassment......not taking no for your answer is..
Putting mirrors in your shoelaces definitely is.
Wireless cameras in the woman's bathroom is frowned on.
can you expand on that comment I’m not getting you
Yeah, your most likely right!!
Nah, never saw wonder woman..
Shit, I already feel as if Im enslaved for my seed and my paycheck!!
Yeah, your most likely right!!
Nah, never saw wonder woman..
Shit, I already feel as if Im enslaved for my seed and my paycheck!!
If all this was out now she could exploit it. When she was running for Potus Trumps sexual stuff came out and no one gave a fuck. When she debated he stood behind her in a weird way. She had to play it off.
what gets considered normal?
I didn’t want to really post my comment but this is the gray area with sexual harassment and abuse
I don't understand why workplace sexual harassment is such a big problem these days. The conventional wisdom is to simply not shit where you eat! How hard is that?!? I'll be the first to admit I've fucked dozens of hoz I worked with but I've never allowed a woman's attractiveness to prompt me to do or say something that can be called unprofessional. Its just so much easier to view females you work with as simply people at work and not attractive women. Why is that so difficult? 
I don't understand why workplace sexual harassment is such a big problem these days. The conventional wisdom is to simply not shit where you eat! How hard is that?!? I'll be the first to admit I've fucked dozens of hoz I worked with but I've never allowed a woman's attractiveness to prompt me to do or say something that can be called unprofessional. Its just so much easier to view females you work with as simply people at work and not attractive women. Why is that so difficult?
You're not taking into account some forms of Sexual Harrasment aren't as blatant as you're thinking. You do realize not every guy is out there asking a chick can she twerk and let me see what the monkey looks like? Believe it or not, a fair amount of cases are based on saying something like " Hey, that color looks great on you!" AFTER you've established some level of rapport with that person AND that person has commented on your dress code as well. Just so happen that day they're in a pissy mood and someone has to pay.
I kid you not!
I would guess upwards of 50% of all sexual harassment is based on the examples of what i gave above. Also, I will add two other criteria
1) It's only sexual harassment if you do it, not me!
2) It's only sexual harassment if you're not cute or if I don't like you!
Think about that!
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Maybe what I'm trying to say is that if you treat the women at your job the same way you treat the men you won't have any problems. Men don't compliment the way clothes look on another man. They may say "damn I like that shirt or I like those shoes" but no straight man is gonna comment on what the articles of clothing do for the man.
Fam,
Believe me, it's too early and I'm not picking on you. But you're sounding really naive at the moment. I don't know if that's a function of age or just working experience. But anyone that's worked in an environment with a decent ratio of men/women and it's an environment that supports conversation and interaction during working hours, breaks, outside activities etc would NEVER say what you've said.
The dynamics are just so vastly different and that's not a work thing that's a biological sex thing. You just don't interact with Linda or Stacey or Samantha the same way you interact with John or Steve or Dave.
Hi Linda, "Did you watch that football play last night?" Come on man!
Hi Stacey, "What do you think of the new Mustang?" Come on man!
Hi Samantha, " I'm about to get that Burberry Cologne. I got a nice one coming over later tonight!" Come on man!
Moreover, you're completely dismissing the women side of things.
You don't think women ask if you're working out because your arm muscles look big?
You don't think they say, "Hi, you eating alot i can see that junk in your trunk back there?"
You don't think they ask, " If you're in a relationship and if you say no..they follow up with that's only becuase you want to be single!"
"Can you help me with this because i need a big strong man!"
Unless you think women don't say things like that?
Old women don't experience sexual harassment because ain't nobody trying to fuck them lol
Ok, I see the problem here. I work for the federal government where people are well versed in what constitutes harassment. We have mandatory training a couple of times a year and nobody wants to risk losing a cushy gubment job over some bullshit. We know how to conduct ourselves for the most part. Its way too easy to catch a case. So "yes" at my job people really are that careful and its not about age. I graduated in the class of 88 so I've been through all the phases of modern social interaction with the opposite sex. The jobs in Loudoun County, VA. (highest average pay in the country) No one is fuckin that up over some ass. People around here just understand that when you want to get loose wait till you're off the clock.Fam,
Believe me, it's too early and I'm not picking on you. But you're sounding really naive at the moment. I don't know if that's a function of age or just working experience. But anyone that's worked in an environment with a decent ratio of men/women and it's an environment that supports conversation and interaction during working hours, breaks, outside activities etc would NEVER say what you've said.
The dynamics are just so vastly different and that's not a work thing that's a biological sex thing. You just don't interact with Linda or Stacey or Samantha the same way you interact with John or Steve or Dave.
Hi Linda, "Did you watch that football play last night?" Come on man!
Hi Stacey, "What do you think of the new Mustang?" Come on man!
Hi Samantha, " I'm about to get that Burberry Cologne. I got a nice one coming over later tonight!" Come on man!
Moreover, you're completely dismissing the women side of things.
You don't think women ask if you're working out because your arm muscles look big?
You don't think they say, "Hi, you eating alot i can see that junk in your trunk back there?"
You don't think they ask, " If you're in a relationship and if you say no..they follow up with that's only becuase you want to be single!"
"Can you help me with this because i need a big strong man!"
Unless you think women don't say things like that?
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