Sexual harassment: it’s such an ugly phrase, purely a product of modern life (the phrase I mean, not the reality). And I think the label does nothing to solve the underlying problem, it only gives corporations ammunition for their list of “things we do not allow here within our corporate borders.” Just another bullet point for an enormous list of “fireable offenses”.

I just took a fairly in depth course for a new job I’m starting and I thought it was kind of sad: being made to watch this monotonous video about what is and what is not “sexual harrassment” and why it’s “not ok.” Like, yeah, I know it’s “not ok,” to pressure a subordinate into having sex with you in exchange for a promotion or something but if I didn’t already know that, would this course really change my mind? I just found myself asking at the end of it: “Why do they make people do these things, seriously? What is the thinking behind it? Is it genuinely for the benefit of female employees who might have been saved from predatory men were it not for this wonderful course? Or is it just for the company to cover their asses, to project an image to the public which demonstrates conformity with current attitudes towards ‘toxic masculinity’ or whatever?” I mean, what do I know? I’m not a woman and as such, I’ve never been groped on public transportation or been the victim of inappropriate advances by a lecherous boss. But still, I have to wonder if women who really HAVE been victims of this kind of thing approve of these ridiculous courses, if they think they are effective. And if they do, I sincerely beg their pardon. BTW, this is not the first course I’ve had to take like this and the others have been similarly dull and depressing.

I do know that 60 years ago, no one had to bear witness to these kinds of educational videos before beginning jobs. The term itself was coined in the early 70’s according to Wikipedia. I just found it a hard thing to sit through as somebody who has been on the receiving end of women’s rights gone wrong more than once.

As you may have guessed dear reader, I’m a man. And I’ve had to deal with more than one deranged entitled woman having nothing better to do than tell lies about me. I’m no saint but I’m not a rapist either even though the political correctness of our modern world makes me feel like one sometimes. I just wish we lived in a world where the term “sexual harassment” wasn’t necessary.