Understanding, Explaining, and Eliminating Sexual Harassment by James P. Sterba - Essay Example

Sexual harassment can occur between two people of the same gender. Various people have tried explaining sexual harassment. Most people believe that sexual harassment is caused by a wide variety of factors. Cultural factors, social factors and personal psychological factors are believed to be the main causes of sexual harassment. Some cultures believe that women should always be submissive to men. As a result men hailing from such cultures tend to believe that they can have their way with women.

Such men will go forcefully touching and grabbing women, which constitutes to sexual harassment. Indecent behavior is also one of the main causes of sexual harassment. Some men and women are guilty of dressing inappropriately in the workplace. This tempts the members of both the opposite sex and same sex. This can lead to the sexual advancement and sexual coercion. Lack of moral values may also cause sexual harassment. Some people are brought up in society where acts of sexual harassment are not condemned.

Such people will have a problem in the future adapting to what is considered morally right by the larger society (Boland 78). There are people who also tend to believe that one gender is superior to the other. Such people discriminate against members of the other gender. They end up verbally abusing or forcefully touching the members of the other gender. Research has shown that women are more vulnerable to sexual harassment at the workplace due to the fact that they often lack power. They are afraid of losing their jobs and will not report the incidents of sexual harassment.

Most men also use their powerful roles in the organizations to solicit for sexual favors from women for in exchange for work related benefits. Economic and social changes in the recent past have resulted in women taking up powerful positions in many organizations. Some men feel intimidated by this fact and resort to harassing such women in their workplaces. Many