Sexual harassment: the "reasonable person" vs "reasonable woman" standards have not been resolved

Psychol Rep. 1996 Feb;78(1):329-30. doi: 10.2466/pr0.1996.78.1.329.

Abstract

Previous research suggests that women are more likely than men to perceive a hostile environment of sexual harassment in job-related scenarios. Such findings raise questions about whether a "reasonable woman" standard might be preferable to a "reasonable person" standard for adjudication of some sexual harassment cases. There are sound arguments for both positions, and there is no basis at the present time for unequivocal and categorical support for one position over the other.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Gender Identity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sexual Harassment / psychology*
  • Social Environment*
  • Women's Rights