Sexual harassment
Unwanted sexual behavior or sexist harassment, often rooted in power.
Sexual harassment refers to harassment involving unwanted sexual behavior or sexist targeting. Though often perceived as motivated by sexual desire, it is more frequently committed to hurt women or punish gender norm violations. The term was coined in the 1970s, and its legal and social understanding has evolved significantly since then, with many countries adopting laws against it.
- term coined by
- Mary Rowe
- field
- Law, sociology, psychology
- key legal figure
- Catharine MacKinnon
Reader's Guide
Sexual harassment became a legal issue in the 1970s, with early U.S. cases like Williams v. Bundy v. Vinson. Alexander v. The #MeToo movement raised awareness and spurred legal change. Definitions have expanded to include gender harassment, which is not motivated by sexual desire but by sexist beliefs and gender policing.
Did You Know?
- Early U.S. sexual harassment cases were often brought by African American women who were former civil rights activists.
- Catharine MacKinnon developed the legal classification of sexual harassment as quid pro quo or hostile environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sexual harassment in the crime & justice canon?
It describes unwanted sexual conduct or sexist targeting directed at a person, typically rooted in a power imbalance rather than genuine attraction.
Who coined the term 'Sexual harassment'?
The phrase was introduced by Mary Rowe in the 1970s, giving a name to a pattern of behavior that had previously gone unaddressed in legal and workplace language.
Which academic fields does Sexual harassment span?
It sits at the intersection of law, sociology, and psychology, since a full picture requires legal frameworks, social analysis of gender dynamics, and study of individual behavior.
Who is the key legal figure tied to the Sexual harassment entry?
Catharine MacKinnon is widely recognized for shaping the legal theory behind the concept, especially its deep connection to power and gender inequality.
How has the legal and social understanding of Sexual harassment evolved since the 1970s?
What began as an unnamed workplace grievance has since become a recognized legal category, with numerous countries enacting specific statutes and protections around it.
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