The #metoo Trend Might Constrain Those it Intends to Liberate

The recent #metoo trend has created a great deal of discussion regarding the power dynamics which exist in the workplace between males and females. It has become a rallying cry for primarily females to discuss experiences of sexual harassment and violence. By late October, the hashtag had been tweeted over 1.7 million times from 85 different countries.

The #metoo trend does a great job of addressing an unwanted touch, pass, comment, stare or statement, yet it does not address those that are accepted or desired by women. This piece will discuss the #metoo movement only within the context of sexual harassment within the workplace, not sexual assault.

Fighting sexual harassment is about fighting a patriarchal system which rules the world and the workplace. Yet, in not recognizing the positive sexual experiences of male and female sexual interactions within a workplace, you effectively perpetuate two stereotypes 1) women are not sexual creatures and 2) men are always sexually ready and do not have an off switch. While harassment is unacceptable in all forms, the movement implies interesting features of female and male sexuality. While the #metoo movement’s does show the prominence of sexual harassment and assault, the implications of female sexuality, in particular, might run counter to the movement’s goal of liberation and expression.

We see this as the majority of those a #metoo story are females. This makes it seem that females are responsible for always saying no or resisting sexual interaction and men are responsible for perpetrating all unwanted sexual contact.

We often talk about the double standard in terms of how men are allowed to do something that would be deemed inappropriate if done by a female. Examples include going to a beach topless, being aggressive, having a child out of wedlock or essentially anything that Donald Trump did on the campaign trail that would be demeaning if he were Donna rather than Don.

What would happen if a woman made a sexual advance on a man? Why is a female sexual advance toward a man not considered harassment?

Is there a double standard if Barbara makes a pass at Bob and there is no case of sexual harassment, but if Bob makes a pass at Barbara there is a case of sexual harassment? Again, there is an implication that men are have a hyper-sexual appetite while females have no such appetite.

So, say no one is able to make any sexual pass, comment or look toward a co-worker, regardless of gender. While a hyper-platonic setting might not be possible in reality, would it deprive both men and women of their desire for sexual interaction within a workplace?

According to a 2,373-person Mic survey, 17.9% of people met their significant other through work.

The #metoo trend reveals a litany of sexual harassment and assault cases, which is unacceptable. Yet positive sexual interaction within a workplace can be possible.

The sexual expression of females is particularly important in the third-wave feminist movement and is seen prominently throughout popular music. Songs sung by females use men as sexual utilities as females are in male songs. With lyrics from Beyoncé preaching female liberation like that from Baby Boy which sing, “Baby boy you been on my mind fulfill my fantasy…” or Drunk in Love which sings “Why can’t I keep my fingers off you baby, I want you…”

There is of course a fine line as Janet Jackson expertly puts “Nasty boys, let me see your nasty body move…I’m not prude, I just want some respect.” Jackson likes the “nasty” moves of men, yet they must respect her.

Cathy Young, contributing editor at Reason, recently wrote an op-ed in the LA Times entitled, Is “Weignsteining” getting out of hand? She poses an important question: “Can anyone claim with a straight face that women do not initiate flirting, ribald humor and sexually themed chitchat in the workplace, just as men do? Much of this behavior is welcome or harmless; some of it can be unwanted and obnoxious.” The article discusses the need for nuance in defining workplace interaction for all genders within a workplace.

Often, sex is seen as a taboo act of primacy and privacy, yet if we begin to acknowledge each individual as a sexual creature rather than male or female, all genders can be taught to express sexual desires in appropriate ways. While sexual misconduct in the workplace is never acceptable from males or females, maybe these issues can be alleviated by first having open discussions about these behaviors. Misconduct has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with power and sex, yet when we dilute a topic which seems to concern mostly women, those women might be left more powerless in the end.