re: related harrassment case
Marian Keyes (keyesm@ael.org)
Fri, 22 Nov 1996 15:47:59 -0500
An article in the AERA Research Journal, Summer, '97, "The Culture of Sexual
Harrassment in Secondary Schools" made a point that has stuck with me. I'll
quote from the abstract: "Our results led us to question the simple
perpetrator-victim model AS OVER HALF OF THESE STUDENTS REPORTED BOTH
HARRASSING AND BEING HARASSED BY THEIR CLASSMATES (my emphasis).
Considering the many theories posed to explain sexual harassment, we
recommend a culturally based theory as most consistent with our results and
most helpful for schools in designing appropriate responses."
The culture referred to is the school culture where conflict (teacher vs
student, student vs student, teacher vs teacher) is considered normal.
I was startled by their finding that a significant number of students
reported being both victims and victimizers.
Marian Keyes
Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL)
P. O. Box 1348 (800) 624-9120
Charleston, W.V. 25325 (304) 347-0403