Study from 20 Years Ago Could Have Predicted the Harvey Weinstein Scandal
Researchers at Purdue University analyzed 48 hours of prime-time television in 1997 and found that 84% of the shows studied “contained at least one incident of sexual harassment”. Incidents that were focused on in the study were verbal sexual comments, physical sexual advances, undue attention, and even sexual bribery.
The study continues that these acts of sexual harassment “are presented in humorous ways, and victims are generally unharmed”
The study concludes by stating that “such programs potentially contribute to a climate that trivializes violence against women; that sees sexual harassment as legitimate, normal, and acceptable styles of interactions; and, that further silences its victims”.
Could it be that the reason people like Harvey Weinstein believe they can get away with gross sexual harassment, and that women feel the need to be silent is partially because of the movies and TV shows of the last few decades that have made sexual harassment normal?
Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303960801_Prime_Time_Sexual_Harassment
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