Eleanor Finch
Sexual harassment is a type of harassment based on the sex or gender of a victim. It can occur in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, workplaces, and public spaces. Girl watching, a phenomenon observed and studied by Beth Quinn, refers to when men collectively watch women, make their presence known, and objectify them through sexual comments. This practice is often not perceived as sexual harassment by men, who view it as a game or harmless fun. However, it involves objectification and a lack of empathy, reducing the targeted woman to a sexual object and disregarding her other identities. Understanding the dynamics of girl watching is crucial for developing effective sexual harassment training programs and policies that address the complexities of gender power dynamics and the normalization of certain behaviors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "Girl watching" is a game played by men, where they watch women, make their presence known, and objectify them through sexual comments. |
| Objectification | Women are reduced to sexual objects, ignoring their other identities. |
| Masculinity | "Girl watching" is a performance by men for men, displaying heterosexual desire and a specific type of masculinity. |
| Lack of Empathy | Men's lack of empathy towards women contributes to their failure to recognize "girl watching" as harassment. Adopting a feminine perspective would contradict their idea of masculinity. |
| Normalization | Men normalize "girl watching" by labeling it as harmless fun, a joke, or freedom of expression, while similar behavior by women is not normalized. |
| Power Dynamics | Sexual harassment often involves power or authority over the victim, and can occur in various settings like schools, workplaces, or public spaces. |
| Unwelcome Behavior | Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, remarks, physical contact, showing pornography, and demands, which can create a hostile environment and constitute discrimination. |
| Harmful Impact | "Girl watching" and sexual harassment can cause harm to women, making them feel uncomfortable and objectified. |
| Awareness and Training | Sexual harassment training should address the complex dynamics of "girl watching" and promote empathy to prevent such behaviors. |
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What You'll Learn
Objectification of women
The objectification of women is a pervasive issue in society, with women being routinely dehumanized and reduced to objects of sexual desire. This occurs when a woman is viewed primarily as an object of heterosexual male desire rather than as a whole person, with her other identities, such as a worker or leader, being contradicted or ignored.
Girl watching is a prime example of this phenomenon, where men collectively watch women, making their objectification of the woman known to her and each other through sexual comments. This behaviour is often excused as "just a game" or "boys being boys", with a lack of empathy for the woman being watched. This lack of empathy is crucial to understanding the objectification of women, as it allows men to separate the act from the abstract definition of sexual harassment.
The objectification of women is not limited to girl watching but is also prevalent in advertising, art, media, pornography, and occupations such as stripping and prostitution. It also occurs in public spaces and events, such as beauty contests, where women are brazenly evaluated or judged sexually or aesthetically. This cultural prioritization of women's sexual appearance and appeal over other attributes has broad consequences, including negative psychological effects such as eating disorders, depression, and sexual dysfunction. It also contributes to gender inequality and negative self-images, as women internalize the belief that their intelligence and competence are not acknowledged by society.
It is important to note that objectification is not the same as admiring someone's appearance or noticing and evaluating appearance on a superficial level. Objectification involves treating a person as a commodity or an object without regard for their personality or dignity, and it is up to the individual to recognize and address their own potential objectification of others. Additionally, despite the increasing objectification of men in society, the focus remains primarily on women, with men still seen as dominant figures.
To address the objectification of women, it is crucial to recognize that it is not determined by a woman's clothing choices or appearance. Instead, the responsibility lies with the person doing the objectifying, and it is essential to challenge the underlying societal attitudes and expectations that contribute to this harmful behaviour.
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Lack of empathy from men
The objectification of women through "girl watching" is a form of sexual harassment that perpetuates a lack of empathy from men. This behaviour reduces the targeted woman to a sexual object, ignoring her other identities as a worker, leader, or individual with feelings and agency.
Men often fail to recognise girl watching as a form of harassment due to their lack of empathy with women. Adopting a feminine perspective may be seen as a contradiction to traditional masculinity, leading to the dismissal of such behaviours as "just a game" or "boys will be boys". This lack of empathy does not equate to ignorance of the discomfort they cause.
Research supports the existence of an empathy gap between men and women, with women scoring significantly higher on Emotional Quotient (EQ) tests. Oxytocin, found in higher levels in women, is believed to enhance empathy, while testosterone in men may have the opposite effect. However, genetics alone cannot explain this disparity, and social factors also play a role. For example, boys are often pushed towards dangerous sports and are overrepresented in lethal jobs, experiencing a lack of empathy from society.
To bridge the empathy gap, it is crucial to address these social factors and challenge traditional gender norms. By treating boys and men with more empathy, we can encourage the reflection of empathetic behaviours. Additionally, effective sexual harassment training programs must consider the role of objectification and the lack of empathy in girl watching. By promoting a complex understanding of these behaviours and the importance of choosing empathy over toxic forms of masculinity, we can foster a more empathetic society.
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Men's refusal to acknowledge the harm
The concept of "girl watching" refers to men collectively watching, commenting on, and objectifying women. This behavior reduces women to sexual objects, ignoring their other identities as workers, leaders, and individuals with agency. Men often view girl watching as harmless, failing to recognize the power dynamics and negative impact on the targeted woman. This refusal to acknowledge the harm is rooted in several factors, including a lack of empathy, justification of masculine behavior, and the normalization of sexual harassment.
Firstly, men's refusal to acknowledge the harm caused by girl watching is often due to a lack of empathy. Adopting the feminine perspective may be seen as contradicting traditional masculinity, leading men to dismiss or minimize the discomfort and objectification experienced by women. This lack of empathy, however, does not equate to ignorance of their actions' impact. Men may be aware that their behavior makes women uncomfortable, but they choose to prioritize their idea of masculinity over the well-being of those they objectify.
Secondly, the refusal to acknowledge harm is tied to the justification of masculine behavior. Men often view girl watching as a way to display heterosexual desire and assert their masculinity in front of other men. By engaging in this behavior, they reinforce a specific type of masculinity that objectifies women and disregards their consent or discomfort. This performance of masculinity becomes more important than respecting personal boundaries, contributing to a culture that enables sexual harassment.
Additionally, the normalization of sexual harassment plays a significant role in men's refusal to acknowledge the harm. Acts of girl watching are often excused as compliments or freedom of expression, minimizing their impact and allowing them to proliferate. When women show disapproval or call out this behavior, men express surprise because they do not expect objects of their attention to react or assert their agency. This normalization of harassment creates a cycle where women are further objectified, and their voices are silenced.
The refusal to acknowledge the harm caused by girl watching has broader implications for the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault. By excusing their behavior, men contribute to a culture that enables and encourages sexual misconduct. This dynamic is particularly harmful in workplaces, where policies and power imbalances can facilitate harassment and abuse. It is crucial to address these root causes and promote equity and respect to create safer environments for everyone.
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Women's disapproval is ignored
Women's disapproval of girl watching is often ignored. This is because men tend to view the act of girl watching as harmless fun or a normal gendered interaction. However, this behaviour can be considered sexual harassment when it involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
The ambiguity surrounding the practice of "girl watching" and the lack of empathy displayed by men contribute to their dismissal of women's disapproval. Men often objectify women during these instances, reducing them to sexual objects devoid of other identities such as workers or leaders. This objectification contradicts the complexity of a woman's identity and contributes to a hostile environment.
When confronted with complaints or displays of discomfort, some men justify their actions by claiming that women are "too sensitive" or misinterpret their intentions. This defence mechanism allows them to continue their behaviour and shift the blame onto women. Additionally, men may label their actions as "compliments" or "freedom of expression," further normalizing their behaviour and disregarding women's negative reactions.
The dynamic of girl watching also plays a role in ignoring women's disapproval. As a group activity, men collectively watch women, make their presence known, and objectify them through sexual comments. This group mentality reinforces their behaviour and makes it more challenging for women's disapproval to be acknowledged or addressed effectively.
To address this issue, sexual harassment training programs must promote empathy and a deeper understanding of the impact of girl watching on women. By encouraging men to imagine themselves in the position of the targeted women, as suggested by Beth Quinn, they may gain insight into the harm caused by their actions.
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Sexual comments and advances
Sexual harassment is a broad term that includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Sexual comments and advances can constitute sexual harassment when they are unwelcome and/or unsolicited. This can include discussing sexual relations, fantasies, or stories in the workplace, learning environments, or other inappropriate places. It also includes making conditions of employment or advancement dependent on sexual favours, either explicitly or implicitly.
In the context of "girl watching", men often collectively watch women, make their gaze known to her, and objectify her through sexual comments made to other men. This behaviour reduces the targeted woman to a sexual object, negating her other identities as a worker or leader, for example. Such objectification and lack of empathy from the perpetrators play a significant role in sexual harassment. Men often fail to recognise "girl watching" as sexual harassment due to their detachment from the feminine perspective, which would contradict their idea of masculinity.
Sexual harassment is not limited to direct comments or advances towards an individual. It can also include receiving unwanted sexually explicit photos, emails, or text messages. Additionally, sexual assault, which is often physical and occurs without the consent of the victim, falls under sexual harassment.
To address sexual comments and advances, it is crucial to create awareness and provide effective sexual harassment training programs. These programs should be based on a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of girl watching and the role of empathy in challenging certain forms of masculinity.
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Frequently asked questions
Girl watching is when a group of men watch a woman, making it known that they are watching, and objectifying her through their sexual comments.
Girl watching constitutes sexual harassment as it involves offensive sexist or sexual behaviour, verbal or physical actions, and unwelcome sexual advances.
Men fail to see girl watching as sexual harassment due to their lack of empathy with women. Adopting a feminine perspective would contradict their idea of masculinity.
Girl watching creates a hostile environment for women, impacting their mental health and well-being. It also perpetuates the objectification of women and reinforces harmful gender stereotypes.
Sexual harassment training programs and policies should address girl watching specifically. By recognizing the impact of girl watching and promoting empathy, we can raise awareness and encourage men to take responsibility for their behaviour.
