Article 4e: Sexual harassment in the creative industries: Tolerance, culture and the need for change (Hennekam & Bennett, 2017) Flashcards
Background of the study
There is growing evidence within the creative industries that precarity (onzekerheid), competition for work and lack of regulation within these industries exacerbates both privilege and inequality, which can increase the prevalence of sexual harassment.
Design of the study
This study used 32 in-depth interviews with women working in the creative industry in the Netherlands.
Main findings
- Sexual harassment is prevent in the creative industries.
- Many women consider it to be part of their work-culture and career advancement.
4 factors that influence the prevalence of sexual harassment in the creative industries
- Competition for work
- Industry culture
- Gendered power relations
- Importance of informal networks
(1) Competition for work
Jobs are often contingent (subjective to change) and irregular, causing a competition for work and feeling of complying to sexualised demands to advance their careers, which normalised harassment.
(2) Industry culture
Often a male-dominated environment. The industry socialisation causes employees to adapt to informal norms, often shaped by stereotypes, sexism and racism. Appearance often outweighs talent, and sexual harassment becomes a normalised part of professional life.
(3) Gendered power relations
Often men have all the power and the employees dempend on their boss for opportunities.
(4) Informal networks
Networking, often conducted in the informal and social settings, is vital for career progression but creates blurred boundaries.
Other factors that influence the prevalence of sexual harassment in the creative indrustries
- Aesthetic labor: some sectors, like modelling, depend on aesthetic labour, where physical appearance and bodily presentation are commercialised. This can blur the boundaries between professional work and harassment.
- Underreporting of harassment: due to fear of retaliation (wraak), career damage etc.
Implications
- The need for a climate of non-tolerance.
- Sector-specific research and guidelines
- Sensitivity training and further work with unions and professional associations to provide worker protection strategies.
Conclusion
Effective sexual harassment prevention requires action at the individual, educational, sectoral and governmental levels, beginning with public conversation to convey the message that sexual harassment is never acceptable.