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For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant Nightmare

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Re: For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant Nightmare

#21

Yet people find it hard to understand why some people might be somewhat offended by a shirt with scantily clad women during a press conference. Things do not happen in a vacuum and pretending like nothing is wrong isn't going to help anyone get anywhere.

That was the first thing I thought of when seeing this article's title, too.

Here, for reference: https://static-secure.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pic...

Re: For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant Nightmare

#23
It's amazing that sexual harassment (or any kind of harassment, really) can survive the era of the cell phone recording? Allegations of misbehavior carry far more weight, once there is a recording that can tickle people's sense of voyeurism and outrage.

Re: For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant Nightmare

#24
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The guy wore the shirt to a celebration after working with those co-workers for 10 years. It wasn't intended to look "professional" and I'm pretty sure none of those co-workers were offended. The reason the shirt was a bad idea is that it was easily misinterpreted by people watching the press conference. Edit: I didn't see it at the time, but this article exactly reflects my perspective on the thing. http://www.theat…

A shirt that depicts women as objects or objectized women is just plain wrong. I do not care about the celebration.

Your right lets throw a blanket over Michelangelo's David and head home to our safe spaces.

Re: For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant Nightmare

#25

Yet people find it hard to understand why some people might be somewhat offended by a shirt with scantily clad women during a press conference. Things do not happen in a vacuum and pretending like nothing is wrong isn't going to help anyone get anywhere.

In a forum dominated by men, under-socialized men because they have few female co workers, there is a lack of understanding and sympathy for anything less than groping. Last time I was on here, HN users defended their right to make dick jokes in the work place.

Dick jokes in the workplace are ok. Serious question, why wouldn't they be?

Re: For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant Nightmare

#26
this:

> Universities, Mia notes, have protocols for dealing with complaints of sexual harassment

seems part of the problem. sexual harassment should be a 'go straight to police' offence, not a hr reprimand.

if the problem is as widespread as it's made in the article, it cannot correct from within.

Re: For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant Nightmare

#28
post #3

Yet people find it hard to understand why some people might be somewhat offended by a shirt with scantily clad women during a press conference. Things do not happen in a vacuum and pretending like nothing is wrong isn't going to help anyone get anywhere.

The guy wore the shirt to a celebration after working with those co-workers for 10 years. It wasn't intended to look "professional" and I'm pretty sure none of those co-workers were offended. The reason the shirt was a bad idea is that it was easily misinterpreted by people watching the press conference. Edit: I didn't see it at the time, but this article exactly reflects my perspective on the thing. http://www.theat…

I do not know much about their workplace but I think you are assuming too much when you say you are sure his co-workers were just fine with it. I worked in academia and startups all my life so I am used to seeing casual shirts being worn but that was way too much. We do not hang that kind of pictures around the office. We do not want people to look at that kind of pictures in the office. Not just in the office also in any work related function. How can you claim that nobody in his workplace was offended when he is walking around with pictures that would be offensive in any other form?

Re: For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant Nightmare

#29
post #4

It sounds terrible. And yet working in he unrelated field of IT I haven't seen it. I have seen a bunch of assholes in high positions though and have to put up with their idiotic demands and abuse. So when I read these articles I wonder if it's the same people and how they translate treating male workers like garbage into treating female workers like garbage. It's not misogyny; it's welcome to the workforce and dealin…

Yes. People exist who may seem like really great bosses and nice people but are also aggressive and entitled with their female coworkers. It is important not to think of sexual harassment as only the skeevy creep who purposely takes advantage of women he has power over (although these people definitely exist too). Women have a right to work without being sexualized at all. Many times it is well meaning, otherwise good people who over step professional boundaries. They don't make an advance expecting to make the woman feel uncomfortable, but that doesn't make it ok either!

Re: For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant Nightmare

#30
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The guy wore the shirt to a celebration after working with those co-workers for 10 years. It wasn't intended to look "professional" and I'm pretty sure none of those co-workers were offended. The reason the shirt was a bad idea is that it was easily misinterpreted by people watching the press conference. Edit: I didn't see it at the time, but this article exactly reflects my perspective on the thing. http://www.theat…

A shirt that depicts women as objects or objectized women is just plain wrong. I do not care about the celebration.

I don't think you're going to convince anyone by just stating what your view is. Give some reasons or something.
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