Skip to main content
Log in

Sex differences in levels of tolerance and attribution of blame for sexual harassment on a university campus

  • Published:
Sex Roles Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, A. F., & Gutek, B. A. Dimensions of perceptions of social-sexual behavior in a work setting. Sex Roles 1985, 13 317–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dziech, W. D., & Weiner, L. The lecherous professor: Sexual harassment on campus. Boston: Beacon Press, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, C. F. Women's place. Berkeley, Calif.: Basic Books, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farley, F. Affirmative action & the woman worker. New York: Amacom, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harragan, B. L. Games mother never taught you. New York: Warner Books, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennig, M., & Jardim, A. The managerial woman. New York: Pocket Books, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, I. W., & Gutek, B. A. Attributions and assignment of responsibility in sexual harassment. Journal of Social Issues 1982, 38 121–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanter, R. M. Men and women of the corporation. New York: Basic Books, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanter, R. M., & Stein, B. A. (Eds.). Life in organizations. New York: Basic Books, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, S. Sexual harassment on the campuses: Deciding where to draw the line. The Chronicle of Higher Education 1983, 23 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, K. R., & Owens, S. A. Sexual harassment report. The Southern Socialist 1984, 15 24–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Working Women United Institute. Sexual harassment on the job: Questions and answers. New York: WWI, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints 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

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288230

Keywords

Navigation