The only reason I even brought up the issue of sexual harassment is that I
feel "hanging out" with students outside of class creates a slippery slope
that first, can be misinterpreted, and second, can become misguided.  Attire
that is less professional than what is seen in the classroom could be
perceived as an invitation to get a little more personal than an instructor
might intend, especially if an instructor is out "having a beer" with his or
her student.  Again, it's the issue of boundaries and perceptions.

Yes, Bertie, there have been increased numbers of women tried for having
sexual relationships with underaged males, but I was thinking in terms of
adult education here where the student/teacher relationship can be even more
complex because there is the assumption, "We're all adults here."  As we
know, however, being an adult does not necessarily equate with behaving
appropriately.

 I am not sure I agree that sexual harassment is always about power.  In
some cases, I truly believe it's more about stupidity or ignorance (note the
difference)---i.e. "No....you cannot ask your teacher on a date no matter
how sincere you are," or vice versa.

On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 12:34 PM, Bertha Mo <bertiemo at yahoo.com> wrote:


> Katherine:

>

> I agree that statistically speaking, more females than males get sexually

> harassed.  However, I've noticed that female teachers are being tried for

> having sexual relationships with underaged males, while I'm also beginning

> to see reports of males complaining about unwanted attention from female

> superiors..  But I thought we were talking about "attire."  Sexual

> harassment is about power, not about sexuality.

>

> Best,

>

> Bertie

>

>  ------------------------------

> *From:* Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt <katherine.gotthardt at gmail.com>

> *To:* The Diversity and Literacy Discussion List <diversity at nifl.gov>

> *Sent:* Wed, October 21, 2009 11:03:43 AM

> *Subject:* [Diversity 1127] Re: Get dirty in street clothes, maybe have a

> beer with parents and at least act like a human being...

>

> When I think in terms of sexual harassment, I think mostly of women being

> harassed.  Sorry to say, this is a statistical reality, no matter what the

> woman is wearing.

>

> On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 3:15 AM, Michael Gyori <tesolmichael at yahoo.com>wrote:

>

>>   Hello Bertie and all,

>>

>> So women can dress in a masculine fashion in a corporate setting, but men

>> cannot dress in a femine manner.  You are right, Bertie. That said, is

>> the corporate domain the one we should single out?  In it, there is, in my

>> opinion, an almost surreal effort underway to emasculate women.

>>

>> That's a world I don't wish to participate in, much less identify with.

>>

>> Michael

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> Michael A. Gyori

>>

>> Maui International Language School

>>

>> www.mauilanguage.com

>>

>>

>>  ------------------------------

>> *From:* Bertha Mo <bertiemo at yahoo.com>

>> *To:* The Diversity and Literacy Discussion List <diversity at nifl.gov>

>> *Sent:* Mon, October 19, 2009 4:07:56 PM

>> *Subject:* [Diversity 1125] Re: Fw: Get dirty in street clothes, maybe

>> have a beer with parents and at least act like a human being...

>>

>>  I don't think it's different for men and women to maintain boundaries or

>> to dress comfortably and appropriately.  In fact, since it became

>> appropriate for women to wear tailored pants for work, I find that women,

>> not men have a wider choice of professional wear.  I'm curious why others

>> feel that it might be different for women.

>>

>> Best,

>>

>> Bertie

>>

>>

>>

>> ----------------------------------------------------

>> National Institute for Literacy

>> Diversity and Literacy mailing list

>> Diversity at nifl.gov

>> To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to

>> http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/diversity

>>

>

>

>

> --

> Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt

> Community Writer for NEWS AND MESSENGER

> www.insidenova.com

>

> ----------------------------------------------------

> National Institute for Literacy

> Diversity and Literacy mailing list

> Diversity at nifl.gov

> To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to

> http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/diversity

>




-- 
Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt
Community Writer for NEWS AND MESSENGER
www.insidenova.com
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