Sexual harassment in the workplace remains as prevalent today as it was four decades ago. The era of Mad Men has passed, and yet, the question remains: have women truly achieved equality in the workplace? In 1976, a pioneering survey conducted by Redbook brought attention to the issue of sexual harassment, and a recent follow-up reveals an unsettling reality: there has been minimal change regarding workplace harassment over the past 40 years.
The Original Study
In the original study back in 1976, over 9,000 individuals participated in a mail-in survey that explored unwanted advances from male colleagues. The majority of respondents were married, aged in their 20s to early 30s, and held white-collar jobs primarily in sales, clerical, and secretarial roles. Fast forward to 2016, and 500 online participants, again mostly married and in similar job categories, answered the same questions. While there was a slight decrease in reported harassment—from 90% in 1976 to 80% in 2016—this improvement is negligible when considering the strides made in gender equality.
Types of Harassment
The types of harassment women reported both then and now remain strikingly similar. In 2016, 64% of women indicated they had faced sexual comments or teasing, 51% reported being subjected to leering and ogling, 43% experienced subtle sexual pressures, and 34% had been touched inappropriately by male coworkers. However, a notable shift occurred in women’s perceptions of harassment; only 4% now view it as “flattering,” compared to 15% in 1976.
Perceptions of Attractiveness
Perhaps one of the most frustrating revelations from Redbook’s survey is that 22% of women believe their physical attractiveness is as significant as their qualifications for their roles, whereas 31% feel that attractiveness holds less weight for men compared to women.
Growing Awareness
Despite the disheartening stagnation in workplace safety for women, there is a growing awareness of the issue. High-profile cases, such as those involving well-known figures in media, have brought significant attention to sexual harassment. Stories from women, like former tech employee Anna Smith, who bravely shared her experiences with harassment at work, are gaining traction. However, awareness alone does not equate to change; the societal indifference surrounding incidents like Donald Trump’s controversial remarks only underscores the challenges that remain.
Conclusion
The overarching conclusion from Redbook’s investigation is that, in 40 years, little progress has been made. It is crucial to acknowledge this stagnation and strive for meaningful change, for we cannot afford to let another four decades slip by without addressing this pervasive issue.
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In summary, while there has been a slight shift in perception regarding sexual harassment in the workplace, the overall safety and treatment of women have seen almost no progress in the last 40 years. Awareness is growing, but effective change is still desperately needed.