[EDEQUITY Discussion] Sexual Harassment and Violence in Higher

From: equitymk@aol.com
Date: Wed Jul 26 2000 - 16:23:12 EDT


Education
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It seems to me that higher ed campuses are a macrocosm of all that affects
K-12 schools. All the power differential between women and men, men having

to prove masculinity, homophobia, and sudden freedom from even fragile
bonds
to parents and mitigating institutions add up to places where all the worst

can happen. Until we change what we think about masculinities and
feminities
will we begin to improve conditions on campuses (and in schools). Having
said
that, I must admit that I don't know what specific strategies might be
used,
other than the traditional: efforts at prevention through education.
Scaring
men through punitive policies and practices might work for a few, but there

is a lot more going on that overrides that. Teaching women to defend
themselves will only work when we have enough of it and women are willing
to
speak out in enough numbers to illuminate what is happening. I don't hold
much hope for that, given our culture.

Michelle Paludi has written about sexual harassment on campus, and still
does
workshops and consulting with campuses, I believe. She is an excellent
resource.

Melissa Keyes
equitymk@aol.com



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