Live data from Hacker News

Not Just Mike Pence. Americans Are Wary of Being Alone with the Opposite Sex

mobile.nytimes.com

1–10 of 170 posts

Re: Not Just Mike Pence. Americans Are Wary of Being Alone with the Opposite Sex

#3
What are people so uptight about?

Not that I understand why, but it makes some sense if religious people are somehow shy to that, but atheists?

Are people afraid of perception or afraid of misinterpretation or afraid physically, are there that many unhinged people out there?

You can totally make friends with people of the same sex you are generally sexually attracted to and it does not mean or have to end up in a weird uncomfortable moment. Just be people. Think how you made friends pre-puberty. You just went and talked.

Re: Not Just Mike Pence. Americans Are Wary of Being Alone with the Opposite Sex

#4
I'm really amazed that the data is that close for "having a work meeting." (25% of women say inappropriate vs 22% of men)

That's a lot higher than I was expecting. It makes me wonder why as well. Is it just "inappropriate" (what I imagine Mike Pence thinks)? Does one side think the other side is trying to do something inappropriate or is trying to lead into something?

At least in many jobs I've had, 1:1's were basically required time (though, not usually productive time). It's crazy thinking so many working relationships people might be on edge or think of as inappropriate.

Of course, the source of the data is "registered voters", not people who have jobs.

Re: Not Just Mike Pence. Americans Are Wary of Being Alone with the Opposite Sex

#5
There are two factors at play here:

1. General religiously-driven norms, which are shifting in the US (e.g., VP Pence)

2. Concern, or overly-cautious / over-concern over what happened last week with Binary Capital. Clearly there is a middle ground between the frat-house that Binary Capital was and the monastery environment VP Pence might suggest.

Re: Not Just Mike Pence. Americans Are Wary of Being Alone with the Opposite Sex

#6
I seem to be the only person in the comments that agrees with the article. But I'm not American.

I will absolutely not be alone with a female as a male if I can help it.

One accusation of ill-doing on my part and my life is essentially over.

Conversely; as a male a female is quite likely weaker than I am, thus the risk to them is that I cause them injury or force them to do something. Which is a horrendous thought and of course I would never do such a thing; but from a certain perspective it _could_ happen. The same way I could potentially say something deeply uncomfortable to them.

So I would understand why females would not desire to be alone with males.

Just my 2c

EDIT: downvotes? Really?

Remind me never to air my concerns in public again.

Re: Not Just Mike Pence. Americans Are Wary of Being Alone with the Opposite Sex

#7
post #4

I'm really amazed that the data is that close for "having a work meeting." (25% of women say inappropriate vs 22% of men) That's a lot higher than I was expecting. It makes me wonder why as well. Is it just "inappropriate" (what I imagine Mike Pence thinks)? Does one side think the other side is trying to do something inappropriate or is trying to lead into something? At least in many jobs I've had, 1:1's were basica…

For the situations where the manager and the managed are of the opposite sex and one or both are aware of their own ethical and spiritual vulnerabilities maybe it'd be a good idea to have a 2:1 or 1:2 instead of a 1:1.

Re: Not Just Mike Pence. Americans Are Wary of Being Alone with the Opposite Sex

#8
post #4

I'm really amazed that the data is that close for "having a work meeting." (25% of women say inappropriate vs 22% of men) That's a lot higher than I was expecting. It makes me wonder why as well. Is it just "inappropriate" (what I imagine Mike Pence thinks)? Does one side think the other side is trying to do something inappropriate or is trying to lead into something? At least in many jobs I've had, 1:1's were basica…

Good point on "the source of the data is 'registered voters', not people who have jobs."

In a round-about way, polling registered voters might make sense, as they have -- however indirectly -- to actually change the system.

Re: Not Just Mike Pence. Americans Are Wary of Being Alone with the Opposite Sex

#9
Here in Japan I regularly hear about women or families saying Japan isn't as safe as it appears. I never understood it, because the data doesn't back it up, and I've never experienced any trouble in nearly 5 years here.

I don't have a TV. When I catch TV though, the news programs can harp on a minor crime here in Tokyo like a convenience store robbery for a good thiry minutes. These friends watch a lot of TV. I think media narratives drive these paranoias.

Post reply on HN