National Study Finds Widespread Sexual Harassment of Students in Grades 7 to 12

[redqueen]

Glad this particular type of bullying is being addressed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/education/widespread-sexual-harassment-in-grades-7-to-12-found-in-study.html?_r=1

Nearly half of 7th to 12th graders experienced sexual harassment in the last school year, according to a study scheduled for release on Monday, with 87 percent of those who have been harassed reporting negative effects such as absenteeism, poor sleep and stomachaches.

On its survey of a nationally representative group of 1,965 students, the American Association of University Women, a nonprofit research organization, defined harassment as “unwelcome sexual behavior that takes place in person or electronically.” Over all, girls reported being harassed more than boys — 56 percent compared with 40 percent — though it was evenly divided during middle school. Boys were more likely to be the harassers, according to the study, and children from lower-income families reported more severe effects.

“It’s pervasive, and almost a normal part of the school day,” said Catherine Hill, the director of research at the association and one of the authors of the report.

Over all, 48 percent of students surveyed said they were harassed during the 2010-11 school year. Forty-four percent of students said they were harassed “in person” — being subjected to unwelcome comments or jokes, inappropriate touching or sexual intimidation — and 30 percent reported online harassment, like receiving unwelcome comments, jokes or pictures through texts, e-mail, Facebook and other tools, or having sexual rumors, information or pictures spread about them.

More at link.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. There's far too much sex portrayed on TV, on video games, in music videos...

and in everything children are exposed to. Even the clothes for children are sexified. The media, and the adults allowing this, are responsible.

Children learn what they experience, see, and hear. They arrive as blank slates.

[redqueen]

5. Yes. We have to eventually accept that making anything and everything

an acceptable vehicle for presenting sexualized images might just have at least a few negative consequences.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. It's wrong. Surely adults can control their sexual urge to watch sexual things until the kids are

in bed at night. Can't adults control themselves?

[redqueen]

8. It's just not considered as a 'big deal'.

Most people simply mock/roll their eyes at any attempt to criticize the acceptability of nearly constant, everpresent sexualized images of women. The desire to question the ubiquitous use of such images is conflated with such idiocy as covering statues with drapes to protect anyone from seeing a nude human form. That way any serious discussion is derailed, and those who like the status quo just fine get to enjoy it, as they see nothing wrong with it at all.

And then there are the themes that are repeated over and over (e.g. sexually attractive women are more the only ones worth seeing, a woman's primary value is in her looks, tropes about marriage and relationships, etc.)

[Sarah Ibarruri]

22. Sexual clowns and disrespect

You're absolutely right, and all that stuff ends up being incredibly harmful to girls' self esteem.

Not just that, but it also makes girls and women seem like sexual clowns, or "things" available for sex 24/7.

If both men and women were placed in the same degrading light in movies, video games, programs, serials, reality shows, magazines, beauty contests, and porn, but it isn't. Right now it's conducive only to both men AND women having an inferior view of girls and women.

The way girls and women are portrayed is unbelievably disrespectful.

[Yavin4]

28. Your Claim Would Only Have Merit If There Weren't Sexual Harrassment

in schools prior to the media age, and that is simply not true.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

37. We've gone from women being chattel, to women being sexual clowns, with not much of a break

if any.

I'm waiting for the moment when women are neither.

[redqueen]

43. Oh so very well said. (nt)

[Sarah Ibarruri]

47. Thank you! It feels so good to tell the truth. nt

[MedicalAdmin]

56. Objectivization is pervasive, invasive, and darned hard to root out.

I day this as a man ho works at it every day and still hasn't rooted it out of his own soul.

[Shagbark Hickory]

35. Not to sound like an old fuddy duddy but I have to agree. It's gotten rediculous.

Either they have to tone it down or society as a whole needs to re-evaluate how much harassment they're going to tolerate.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

38. Very true. And the media needs to be told to tone it down, or they won't...

And since the media is all we do at night and on weekends (our country having no neighbors we spend time with daily, and no communities - only the TV, magazines, video games, music videos, and online porn), we are susceptible to that bs.

I think women need to open their eyes, and men need to get on board to do away with the constant prime time degradation of women, and the accessibility of female degradation via video games and musical videos.

[seabeyond]

2. or... a parent can parent and there is not this issue because the children see the hurtful manner.

but then, they probably will not learn to be racists and homophobics either.

[dkf]

3. 40% of boys are sexually harassed?

I'm kind of surprised at that.

I wonder if it's the same perpetrators who go around offending everyone or it could be widespread. Then that really culls the number of people eligible to be President!

[yesphan]

4. Those boys are most likely

being sexually harassed by other boys.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

23. Being called gay, I'm sure. nt

[Odin2005]

60. Yup. I was bullied because people thought I was gay.

Why did they think I was gay? because I was not a macho asshole and nor did I want to be.

[redqueen]

7. Mocking or ridiculing someone based on their perceived sexual preference

is a form of sexual harassment, and it happens all the time.

[Initech]

41. I was in high school - it's definitely not uncommon.

And if you dont think high school boys are immune from it - look at the humiliating hazing rituals a lot of us are put through - it's seriously something that can crush one's soul.

[Odin2005]

59. I was one of them.

gym locker room bullying. It was so bad the school had me change in another room.

[Xithras]

9. This has been true since...well, forever, pretty much.

Did anyone here actually attend a high school where this wasn't the case? As far as I'm aware, this behavior is so common that it's considered normal by schools.

FWIW, the big problem with this type of harassment tends to be that it's universal. Unlike bullying, which is usually carried out by a relatively small number of students, sexual harassment among teenagers tends to come from a much larger number of students. Even "good boys" can make crude comments to girls. Between the raging hormones and the lack of maturity, the number of aggressors is MUCH larger. More importantly, and completely unlike bullying, a LARGE number of the "victims" are also the "perpetrators". A teenage girl can be sexually ogled and have crude comments made to her one minute, and turn right around and make comments about another girl a few minutes later. There is no clear division between the groups.

To combat sexual harassment in my high school, you would have needed to throw out half of the student body. The zero-tolerance anti-bullying techniques embraced by the school simply won't work when it comes to sexual harassment. What can they do instead? I have no idea.

As the parent of two teenagers, I certainly recognize that this is a problem. Unfortunately, it's a problem that lacks any simple solutions.

[RaleighNCDUer]

11. I agree. Back in the dark ages (the 60s) when I was that age there was

no little amount of inappropriate touching, ogling, and other assorted behaviors - if anything I'd bet the rate of such things has declined since then, because nobody - NOBODY - talked about it. Sex Ed was several weeks of pictures of veneral diseases. Cheerleaders were supposed to be ogled - that was their job. And I don't suspect that the teenage pregnancy rate is very much higher now than it was then.

Teens are teens. I do not despair of this coming generation, because of reports like this.

[JoePhilly]

50. The 70s too.

I remember one incident in 7th grade.

There was a girl who was developing far more quickly than any of us. Some of the guys talked about it quietly, some said things straight to her face. Some would use the crowded halls of our schools to "accidentally" brush up against her. Maybe grab her butt, maybe graze her breast while passing by. Some of the guys would brag about this.

She lived just a few houses down the street from me. And I was doing well in math, and she struggled. Our math teacher asked if I could help her some after school. I was thrilled and terrified.

I also saw her as the most beautiful creature ever. But I was very shy around girls. And the things some of the other guys did embarrassed me. What I mean is, if this girl was there, and there was me and 2 other guys ... those 2 guys would dominate the interaction. And usually, do something that made ME uncomfortable.

So because I was helping her with math, I was at her house, and we finished the home work. And once again, I left without telling her that I liked her, and wondered if she liked me. As I was walking home, she came up from behind me and stopped me. At first I thought .. "wow, she likes me!!" ... naaaa ... she had a bigger issue on her mind.

"Why do the other guys treat me the way they do?" ... "Why won't they leave me alone?"

And so we talked a lot about it almost every time we worked on math together.

At some point ... I said something to the effect of ... "because they are jerks". "And you are the prettiest girl in our class." And she said, "So why do you help me with math?" ... and I said ... "because the teacher asked me to help you ..." And then I said something like ... "and because, I really like you."

At which point she told me that she liked me too, but not in a boy-friend kind of way. Which hurt. But I pretended to not feel it.

I like to think I was not helping her with math on the boy-friend angle, but I can't be sure.

We stayed friends for a few years after ... but then we went to different high schools ... not sure where she is now ...

But I learned a lot about teen sexual abuses thanks to her. She was experiencing it ... and she told me a great deal about how she felt as it happened. Which helped me understand it far better that I might otherwise.

[redqueen]

12. The lack of simple solutions doesn't preclude any attempt to find them.

And 'it's just the way things are/have always been' has never been a meaningful response to anything at all to me.

[Xithras]

14. The problem is finding a solution that isn't more damaging than the original complaint.

Many teen behaviors are biological and can be directly attributed to their mental immaturity and their lack of experience dealing with their own hormones. The teen years are intended to be a learning period where these kids get a handle on the appropriate way to deal with the opposite sex, and with sexuality in general. These behaviors are not innate, but must be learned. Different kids learn at different rates, so it's unavoidable that problems will exist as teens with differing perspectives, acceptance, and control over their sexuality interact with each other.

The real problem is finding an effective way to deal with harassment through education instead of launching into knee-jerk punitive measures. How do you convince a 15 year old boy who may have the body and hormones of a 20 year old, but the mental maturity of a 12 year old, of the seriousness of commenting about a girls breasts? Appropriate social behaviors are typically learned over time through exposure, so there's no quick and easy solution here. Talking about it isn't going to do it. Neither is a one-semester class, or a special lecture in health class.

I agree that nothing is ever wrong with research, but I have yet to hear a single proposal from anyone on the subject that wasn't either misguided or overly punitive. The reality is that there may be no solution to this problem. This may, indeed, be a normal part of human adolescent development. We want to wag our fingers at them and tell them to "grow up", but that's exactly what they're doing.

[redqueen]

15. Social acceptance has to change. Adults have to set a better example.

By using images of women's objectified bodies as decorations and advertising props for everything from video games to fast food, we are sending a message to all children. When we don't speak out about it our silence shows we condone it.

We don't need punishments or wagging fingers, just more honest assessment of the consequences of this idiocy that is promoted by the media; and accepted and ignored by far too many people. In the anecdote shared below, all that was needed was communication among peers.

[BR_Parkway]

24. Isn't this more of a case of what changed was what is considered

socially acceptable? I mean, at that age, they're doing exactly what they're biologically programmed to do since... well; the beginning of time or we wouldn't all be here.

Are we looking for solutions to a problem that doesn't exist? Not that the behavior doesn't get into the inappropriate zone at times, but isn't that basically the point of this time frame? Learning where the boundaries are?

The "simple solution" is for the parents to teach their children about respecting others as they are growing up - but we all know that's not going to happen in every home. Peer pressure and disapproval is certainly going to have more impact than any school policy

[redqueen]

25. re: Social acceptability, that's what I was alluding to in post 15.

As for biological programming, that's a load of BS.

It's very much social conditioning that makes people think this is ok... and it's the behavior of adults that cue children to believe that this kind of bullying is either inevitable or unacceptable.

[seabeyond]

29. absolutely. we are not talking about awakening sexuality. talking about harassment and assault

two different animals. and when the majority can get thru life without being mean and ugly, a pretty huge clue in that it is not the norm, or biological....

[redqueen]

33. Exactly. (nt)

[davsand]

10. My 14 year old daughter and her pals dealt with an issue earlier this year.

She had been texting with a Jr (she is a Freshman) and he'd started to creep her out with some of the stuff he'd been saying. She stopped texting him--stopped responding to his texts at all. She was at her locker before school started and the guy walked up behind her and grabbed her in a bear hug. She was struggling and yelling at him to let her go, saying, "Don't touch me!"

* One of her friends, a female upperclassman, started yelling at the guy "You let GO of her!" He did let go, but started to get nasty with the other girl--telling her to mind her own business. The girl stood there and told him that if he EVER touched my daughter or anybody else who was saying "No" that she'd personally see to it that not only would the school find out, but that there'd be a few of the Senior guys looking for him to discuss his problems in a painful way...

One of my daughter's Freshman guy pals (a football player) offered to escort her back and forth to classes for a few days to make sure she was left alone. She has had no further issues with that guy, however, he did make an apology to her over a lunch hour a few days later with her friends standing there looking on.

From what I have been able to find out, that older girl talked to the other older girls, who then talked to their guy pals and boyfriends, and they all gave him a hard time about what he'd done.

I suppose that the boy in question could probably say he was "bullied" but I just can't feel too bad for him. Frankly, I was left feeling a lot better about that school where at least some the kids seem to try and take care of each other.

YMMV.



Laura


* This is her version of the story, and I do feel compelled to point that out in fairness to the guy. I have to admit, I saw some of his texts, and he did seem like a pretty strange agent, IMO. Having SAID that, however, I also have to admit that he could just be a socially maladjusted guy who learned a life lesson a little later than most. Either way, I think the other kids in the school averted what could have been a most painful situation by intervening when and how they did.

[redqueen]

13. Giving someone a hard time isn't necessarily bullying.

If they were rude, mean, and insulting about it, then yes, I'd agree he was; however social pressure is not the same thing as bullying at all.

It's good that this kind of thing is becoming less exempt from discussion. I credit the movement to address bullying, which many people still swear is just a normal part of growing up and nothing to worry about.

[renate]

16. I'm pretty impressed by your daughter's friends

:thumbsup: to you for raising a daughter who has such good taste in who she hangs out with, :thumbsup: to your daughter, and :thumbsup: to her loyal and wonderful friends.

[davsand]

19. When she started to high school she was "adopted" by older kids.

I dunno if I can take much credit for this one. Yes, she really is an amazing kid, and I am awful proud of her, but there is this informal thing they do at that high school where upper classmen "adopt" Freshmen. My kid is in several classes with upper classmen, she's an honors student, she's always willing to help somebody with a homework question or a problem, and she's terribly social. As a result, she got "adopted" really early.

I do think she is surrounded by some equally spectacular kids, and I am hugely grateful for that. I have been amazed at their level of religious tolerance, support for GLBT kids, and even the (gasp!) acceptance of VEGANS!!!! I see other kids who do not share those values, but my kid has not chosen to hang with them--in spite of the fact that she grew up with some of them.

She is a gift.



Laura

[seabeyond]

20. this is how it was in my day. were there times, from a few guys? ya. and boys and girls alike

shunned the dude as unacceptable behavior.

that is what is missing today.

i am glad to hear that exact thing happened here. good for this group of kids.

[lumberjack_jeff]

17. "unwelcome sexual behavior that takes place in person or electronically"

I'm surprised that 100% of human beings haven't experienced this.

[redqueen]

18. Perhaps it might be viewed as not being inevitable when it's children.

It's very popular to simply dismiss this kind of behavior among adults (irrational, but popular)... but maybe making it about children will cause people to take a moment and spare a second thought about it... perhaps embrace the mind-blowing concept that such forms of bullying aren't inevitable and that we can't ever do anything about it ever.

Hopefully.

[davidthegnome]

27. I imagine that a number of people...

especially young men or boys, would not have felt comfortable stating that they had experienced it, even in a survey they thought was anonymous. In large part because, to my knowledge, among boys and young men it's considered a rite of passage, or simply something to joke about in locker rooms.

It's true of course, that males are more likely to sexually harass others, for a variety of reasons. I can say with authority though, that women and girls can be just as cruel and inconsiderate (in some cases more so, as the ego of the young male is often highly reliant upon female acceptance/rejection, at least, as a young male, mine certainly was). In my experience, these discussions tend to lead to lengthy debates revolving around the gender war. Finger pointing accomplishes nothing though.

I don't think there really is a sure solution to the problem. Punishment for cases that merit punishment, education to inform others of what is and isn't acceptable.

Occasionally I hear of absurd cases where a boy is punished for referring to a girl as "hot" or making a sexual comment he didn't realize was sexual or would be perceived as such (awesome legs?). I think that's overkill and does more to confuse the situation than to rectify it.

Our society is highly reliant upon sexual imagery for a great variety of things. Advertising, politics, your standard social life and acceptance among your peers. I think we live in a time that objectifies both males and females but I think this has always been the case to one extent or another (though to a much lesser one a mere few decades ago). I don't think the solution is to block out these images or to discourage either fantasizing or even in some cases ogling. I suspect we're all guilty of that.

Rather, I would say that the solution is to be more open in regards to nudity, sexuality, our bodies and our appearance. More accepting of variety. The conversations to be had should be in the open among students, without fear or shame. Unfortunately, fear and shame are all too common when it comes to one's sexual identity. I still say the solution is to open up more than close up. I see nothing wrong with men or women, young or old wishing to be admired or being admired sexually or otherwise. Of course, admiration leads to desire which tends to lead to the issues with sexual harassment.

Perhaps if we could teach young people to be respectful and polite in their admiration we would go a long way towards making improvement. On a number of occasions I've found myself telling younger friends that their comments to my female friends or my sisters are way out of line - generally I suggest changing "Damn you got a tight ass" to something like... "I love those earrings, your hair. You look lovely today."

General statements, subtle statements, easy ways of expressing one's admiration without being offensive. I think that's the way to go.

Maybe I'm wrong, just my opinion.

[redqueen]

31. I disagree in one funadmental way.

Our society is highly reliant upon sexual imagery for a great variety of things. Advertising, politics, your standard social life and acceptance among your peers. I think we live in a time that objectifies both males and females but I think this has always been the case to one extent or another (though to a much lesser one a mere few decades ago). I don't think the solution is to block out these images or to discourage either fantasizing or even in some cases ogling. I suspect we're all guilty of that.

No one is suggesting that we block out all these images. That is the John Ashcroft derailment.

What is being asked is that there be some small measure of common sense employed in how and when these ubiquitous images of hypersexualized women are deemed socially acceptable.

In Sweden and Denmark, for example, advertisers are banned from objectifying people's bodies. They can only be shown in such a manner if the product being advertised in some way warrants such a portrayal (such as fitness clubs, sexy clothing, etc)

Discontinuing the practice of portraying women as sexual objects first and foremost in such an overwhelming number of advertisements will go a long way toward communicating the idea that women are people and not just objects to be lusted after who are (as the media portrays them) accepting and appreciative of sexual interest from any man 24/7.


As for ogling, that's just rude full stop. No further discussion required.

[davidthegnome]

39. I've never heard of the John Ashcroft derailment

I think it is common (if not as common) for men to also be objectified in advertisements. Of course, more often it pertains to the topic of the advertisement, such as fitness equipment.

I'm not really sure how you can effectively ban advertisers from objectifying people's bodies unless you dictate what clothing may be worn and the mannerisms used (this, in itself, could be considered oppressive as some quite enjoy being the object of desire in even a commercial about apples). I'm not really familiar with Sweden or Denmark in regards to such regulations, of course, so I wouldn't know. It is difficult for me though, to comprehend how you can forcefully prevent commercial actors/actresses from being objectified. Even regardless of clothing and mannerism, what does not appeal to others will draw the eyes (and even the occasional lewd thoughts) of some.

When you suggest discontinuing the portrayal of women as sexual objects, are you suggesting that we should follow Sweden or Denmark's examples? While I'm not well enough informed regarding their practices to form an opinion just yet - I would suggest that chances of similar regulations being practiced here are... slim. In large part this is because of the simple fact that sex sells. So much of our economy is driven by sex appeal via advertisement (more than most would think) that you would have corporate riots on your hands.

I don't think anyone but a complete egomaniac considers women to be (or thinks that they should be) accepting and appreciative of sexual interest from any man 24/7. Now I've known some complete egomaniacs, but not that many.

Ogling.. well, there are a few definitions for the word. To stare at amorously, flirtatiously, impertinently. To stare at, or any combination of those. Occasionally I do indeed stare at women I think are good looking. I try to do so in a respectful and subtle manner but I'm not entirely certain that I don't occasionally give offense. If anyone asked me to stop I would do so immediately. It's not a deliberate attempt to make someone uncomfortable or to suggest that in any way they should or must be accepting and appreciative of my interest. It is admiration, or so I consider it to be.

Is there anyone who does not ogle? Some times people dress in what could be considered revealing clothes for comfort. At other times the intention is to be admired and desired. It is not always easy to know the difference or to determine when someone would take offense to being looked at (short of a direct glare, that usually makes me blush and look away).

My point is... some times I think we take ourselves too seriously. I really don't think there is any harm in someone wanting someone or even the occasional stare that may (or may not) be subtle enough for all. I don't think I've ever objected to being stared at - though such an occasion is rare and usually because I'm doing something stupid... but I can understand why others would. If I were to avoid looking, or pay such close attention to where my eyes move as to be certain I never stared, I would be so paranoid they'd have to lock me up. Alas, such is the fate of testosterone infested males.

[redqueen]

45. It's really not that hard to tell when ogling is or is not appropriate.

Nightclub? Appropriate.

Just about anywhere else? Most likely not.

As for the idea that you enjoy it: that is a perfect example of male privilege. This blog entry explains it rather well. I hope you find it informative.
https://sindeloke.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/37/

[davidthegnome]

54. Enjoy being stared at?

I can think of few times when that's actually happened outside of me doing something dumb that made people go "Uh..."

Now would I enjoy being stared at by women who were interested in me? I suppose I would.

I do understand that women are wary of the intentions of men they do not know (and even some they do know). I understand how catcalls are offensive. In some ways I think it's similar to being bullied at school. The people saying things may not realize how offensive they are, they may just be joking around in what they think is good fun, but yeah, it can hurt. As someone who was constantly bullied, I think I understand that somewhat better than most.

Now I don't make catcalls, in fact I don't think I've ever once done that. As a child and teenager I was too shy, as an adult I know better. Staring (ogling) is something altogether different (in my opinion). I don't deliberately stare at what I consider attractive features women possess (well, unless I AM at a nightclub, for example). At times though, I do get lost in conversation or end up admiring a woman's face more than I'm paying attention to what the conversation is actually about. I try to avoid that, but it does happen. Is that ogling? I've been accused of ogling because I admired a woman's hair for a few moments longer than, perhaps, I should have. At times I see pretty women on the street, in the store, I will look, usually briefly, but is the mere fact that I'm looking and appreciative offensive? If, perhaps, briefly meeting the eyes of a good looking stranger she thinks (and perhaps correctly) that she sees desire in my eyes, well, is that such a bad thing? She need not appreciate it, or welcome it - I just can't understand being offended by it. Perhaps because I am male.

I can't help that. I behave as well as I know how and have always taken pride in behaving as a gentleman. If what you're saying is that I shouldn't stare a lady's breasts when I'm talking to her, well, I don't (even when I'm drunk I don't do that). If you're suggesting I shouldn't stare at one long enough to make them uncomfortable, I try not to. My admiration for women though - isn't something I would change about myself even if I could.

Male privilege is something I can't understand, no matter how hard I try. At least, I cannot understand it from a woman's point of view. If I seem somewhat callous in my attitude, I assure you that I'm not. I have no intention of offending any women and am deeply apologetic if I have.

[seabeyond]

58. i am standing in line behind a couple

and the man trying to look oh so casually around his woman to check me out. i am standing there watching him trying to finese it in the coolest most subtle way. he looks like a fool. his wife is looking out in the distance pretending she doesnt notice. i thought it pathetic all around. by the time the man met my eyes, he about realized how pathetic i thought he was.

all the fuckin time...

all the fuckin time

it is old.

maybe when a girl is young and just getting into her sexuality. but after decades, it is obnoxious. i love watching the old fart checking out a girl. a hoot.

[redqueen]

61. I think you're not someone who needs to worry about your actions.

You can't really 'ogle' hair or facial features unless you have some kind of fetish. Ogling means to stare in a lecherous manner... offensively... excessively.

You seem to be very aware of things you do which might cause others discomfort or offense.

Those men who do ogle women shouldn't have men like you attempting to rationalize their actions. There is no justification for treating women in such a way, barring those contexts when the attention is clearly an understood part of the environment (such as a nightclub), however even then, there are limits.

[Quantess]

64. Thanks for pretending to minimize the experience in your own mind.

I don't even know how to respond to that. Maybe you meant to write,
"look so many guys have been called gay when they were teenagers, like, "you're such a fag!, and yet, I wasn't even gay!"

[lumberjack_jeff]

65. "I don't even know how to respond to that"

That is apparent.

You're welcome. I actually like "pretending to minimize the experience in my own mind". I think.

Like all studies trying to get the answer they were seeking, they used the finest possible mesh to prove their point. I'm pretty confident that everyone at DU has experienced some form of unwanted sexual behavior at one time or another. Most reasonable people wouldn't consider all of those events harassment.

Here I am. Missing the point again, because this wasn't really "a study" after all, but fund... uh awarenessraising opportunity for AAUW.

[Quantess]

21. I know from experience that most of it comes from adult men

who really should know better.

[redqueen]

26. Yeah, I imagine most women have a story or 30 about that kind of thing...

harassment they experienced as teenagers or even pre-teens from adult men.

*sigh*

[Manifestor_of_Light]

30. I was in junior high and high school from 65 to 72.

I got called "queer" about five hundred times a day for seven years.

I got really sick of it and did what my mother told me to do. I told them to go to hell. Then they would say "UMMMMMMMM...you said a bad word! I'm gonna tell the teacher!". They never did that, and they knew lots of bad words that I didn't know, because my parents did not curse like sailors.

This was before they used the word "gay".

:banghead: :wtf:

[redqueen]

32. I think the popular campaigns about anti-gay bullying are helping to fuel this...

causing people to re-think what they've been told about what is or isn't inevitable.

[surrealAmerican]

34. Even though these numbers sound high ...

... I suspect they were much higher when I was that age (in the mid to late '70s). I don't think I knew any girls in my junior high who were not harassed.

[redqueen]

42. I'm not sure what your point is...

I'm sure that racist bullying was more prevalent in the past as well.

[surrealAmerican]

46. The point is that we're making progress.

Slow progress, but progress still. The sorts of behavior that were routine back then are not entirely gone, but at least they are less common than they were.

[seabeyond]

48. i think in the last decade we have regressed. nt

[redqueen]

51. I think the response to this thread shows otherwise.

Or maybe it only shows that although we've made a little progress, we still have such a very long way to go.

[The Straight Story]

36. Cain's been busy (nt)

[Shagbark Hickory]

40. LMFAO

[NashVegas]

44. Ask Your Girlfriends How Many Ever Brushed Their Hair To Cover Their Boobs

In school, because mom couldn't/wouldn't afford a better bra?

[redqueen]

52. Or started slumping their shoulders...

hunching over to make them less visible.

[Nevernose]

49. I teach Juniors and Seniors

That's 11th and 12th grade for those who've been out of school for too long. Frankly, I'm surprised that it's only 40%. It's a battle I wage on an almost daily basis. It's boys ro girls, girls to boys, same sex to same sex. Usually, if a certain invisible line has been crossed, I explain that what is occurring is illegal and I will contact the dean's office and one of our school police officers. That usually stops it. Usually.

Sometimes I have to have kids cited and eventually expelled for sexual harassment. Probably a third of my wife's students (she works at a school where one goes when one has been expelled multiple times, or are awaiting sentencing, or have recently been paroled) have at least one criminal sexual harassment charge.

Frankly, I think it's always been this way, it's just that it's only now are people starting to try and do something about it.

[redqueen]

53. What a sad situation.

I don't know if it was better or worse in the olden days. It probably also varies depending on the school.

I'm just really glad that at least some people are finally starting to think it's worth doing something about. That is wonderful.

[Cerridwen]

55. Kick.

[Cerridwen]

57. Kick.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

62. I got hassled constantly by girls in P.E. Class

I hated and LOATHED P.E. class.

One girl told me "I'm gonna watch you undress in the locker room to see if you wear a bra yet or not."


:wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :banghead: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

[redqueen]

63. Just the girls?

The worst PE related experience was quite a lot more graphic.