Should leering in the workplace be considered sexual harassment?

Kuonji · 2009-06-24T17:45:51+00:00

Determining if someone is 'leering' or not is too subjective. The difference between leering, looking, and staring is going to depend on how someone interprets it. Bad news all around.

AnnArchist · 2009-06-24T17:35:41+00:00

Umm, what the fuck is leering.

Just because someone isn't attractive and is looking at you doesn't mean hes leering. Thats often the case when 'leering' is considered sexual harassment.

Its not a crime to be ugly.

2009-06-24T18:53:23+00:00

Let's say "leering" becomes grounds for sexual harassment, imagine the power women will wield over ugly men in the workplace everywhere. Even if you dont "leer", you can get accused and then that's that.

rmbarnes · 2009-06-24T17:29:47+00:00

Obviously something like groping is unacceptable, but how about leering? However dirty people try and make it out to be, it is essentially still just looking.

I only ask because I read something on sexual harassment laws which said leering counts as sexual harassment.

2009-06-25T16:22:26+00:00

I pick on some of my female friends about this.

Her: Ew, this guy was looking at my chest

Me: That's weird. Why would a man look at breasts?

But honestly, there seems to be a big gender difference here. I have, and continue to be flattered by someone's affections even if I'm not attracted to them. The same seems to be true less often for women. I've come up with a few possible explanations:

Gender differences in showing sexuality. Women are more concerned with appearing slutty and are therefor socially required to be 'disgusted'.
Women are generally afraid of men as predators, and see the unwanted attraction as a genuine threat.
Women expect men to be able to perceive these feelings. Unwanted attraction is some sort of egregious error, whereas reciprocated attraction is welcome.

I'm not sure I have the answer, but that's what I came up with. I talked it over with a female friend and we weren't able to come up with an answer either.

Virtblue · 2009-06-24T21:47:42+00:00

If something makes people uncomfortable it hurts performance == bad.

Title	Should leering in the workplace be considered sexual harassment?
Author	rmbarnes
Upvotes	2
Comments	15
Date	June 24, 2009 5:28 PM UTC (17 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/8vai7/should_leering_in_the_workplace_be_considered/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/should-leering-in-the-workplace-be-considered.1053739 https://theredarchive.com/post/1053739

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