I endured a lot of sexual harrassment at various work places while in highschool - notably working as a waitress, as a pizza delivery driver, and working in a ice cream shop. Most of it came from co-workers, occasionally it came from customers (that happened a lot in the waitressing job). At the time it didn't really bother me. I mostly just laughed it off when I was around individuals that made me uncomfortable. (And I think I probably flirted back a little with those that I thought were cute...
). Most of what I "endured" was not much more than suggestive flirting, but there were a few things that went too far - I once was "depantsed" (sp?) by a coworker in the basement at my work.
I just watched a movie recently (North Country) that really brought up the whole sexual harrasement issue in my mind though. Not so much my high school experience, but rather the fact that there really does seem to be a bit of a "Good old boys club" mentality that is still present. I haven't experienced it in medicine yet, but I can tell it still exists. I've even seen it at work on this website.
The movie was about women working in the mines back in the 70's and what they endured. It was based on a true story - and it was just terrible. I'd like to think nothing like that could ever happen today, yet there were some things that were familiar.... i.e. women being expected to laugh at jokes that are made at their expense, whether it be about women in general or sexual in nature - and if a woman acted offended or tried to stop the behavior in question then they are labled as having no sense of humor or having a stick up their @ss.
Does anyone else know what I'm talking about?
It was a good thing that my hubby and I watched the movie together and then had a good conversation about it afterwards (and he agreed with my every word) because that movie sort of made my blood boil. Especially when I knew it was based on a true story and that I see similar (but milder) things occuring today.