Abstract
Although the issue of sexual harassment on college campuses has been discussed in the literature for the last five years, little attention has been paid to sex differences in levels of tolerance and attribution of blame in harassment. The current survey, based on a random sample of faculty, students, and staff at a large southern university, details sex differences in definitions of harassment, in attitudes toward causes, in attitudes toward romantic relationships between faculty and students, and in attitudes toward university policy. The authors suggest that sex differences reflect differing perceptions by men and women of their own self-interests within the university, and the organizational environment. Attention is also directed to the explanatory power of attribution theory.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benson, D. J., & Thomson, G. E. Sexual harassment on a university campus: The confluence of authority relations, sexual interest and gender stratification. Social Problems 1982, 29 236–251.
Cohen, A. F., & Gutek, B. A. Dimensions of perceptions of social-sexual behavior in a work setting. Sex Roles 1985, 13 317–327.
Dziech, W. D., & Weiner, L. The lecherous professor: Sexual harassment on campus. Boston: Beacon Press, 1984.
Epstein, C. F. Women's place. Berkeley, Calif.: Basic Books, 1971.
Farley, F. Affirmative action & the woman worker. New York: Amacom, 1979.
Harragan, B. L. Games mother never taught you. New York: Warner Books, 1977.
Hennig, M., & Jardim, A. The managerial woman. New York: Pocket Books, 1976.
Jensen, I. W., & Gutek, B. A. Attributions and assignment of responsibility in sexual harassment. Journal of Social Issues 1982, 38 121–136.
Kanter, R. M. Men and women of the corporation. New York: Basic Books, 1977.
Kanter, R. M., & Stein, B. A. (Eds.). Life in organizations. New York: Basic Books, 1979.
Lott, B., Reilly, M. E., & Howard, D. R. Sexual assault and harassment: A campus community case study. Signs: A Journal of Women in Culture and Society 1982, 8 296–319.
Maihoff, N., & Forrest, L. Sexual harassment in higher education: An assessment study. Journal of the National Association for Women Deans, Administrators, & Counselors 1983, 46 3–8.
Meek, P. M., & Lynch, A. Q. Establishing an informal grievance procedure for cases of sexual harassment of students. Journal of National Association for Women Deans, Administrators, & Counselors 1983, 46 31.
Metha, A., & Nigg, J. Sexual harassment on campus: An institutional response. Journal of the National Association for Women Deans, Administrators, & Counselors 1983, 46 9–15.
Perry, S. Sexual harassment on the campuses: Deciding where to draw the line. The Chronicle of Higher Education 1983, 23 21.
Reilly, K. A. A study of sexual harassment. Cited in S. A. Blanshan. Activism, research, and policy: Sexual harassment. Journal of the National Association for Women Deans, Administrators, & Counselors 1983, 46 16–22.
Verba, S., DiNunzio, J., & Spaulding, C. Unwanted attention: Report on a sexual harassment survey. Unpublished report to the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, 1983.
Wilson, K. R., & Kraus, L. A. Sexual harassment in the university. Journal of College Student Personnel 1981, 24 219–224.
Wilson, K. R., & Owens, S. A. Sexual harassment report. The Southern Socialist 1984, 15 24–25.
Working Women United Institute. Sexual harassment on the job: Questions and answers. New York: WWI, 1978.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kenig, S., Ryan, J. Sex differences in levels of tolerance and attribution of blame for sexual harassment on a university campus. Sex Roles 15, 535–549 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288230
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288230