Me Too Movement - Exchange and Power in Social Life - Literature review Example

Me Too Movement - Exchange and Power in Social Life Literature Review Me Too Movement has contributed a lot in ensuring gender power dynamics in various workplaces. Consequently, the policies forming the base of the movement have worked in a parallel manner to ensure ethics in different organizations. The awareness created about potential sexual harassment against men and women has strengthened both genders to ensure their security as they search for self-maintenance. The movement started by Tarana Burke (Me Too Movement) in 2002has reduced the gender-based violence than most people have perceived in the past. Apparently, all organizations have faced the challenge of sexual harassment, especially, in sports, entertainment, and various organizations. Importantly, there have been various cases of resignation and termination of contracts implying that these events are present in seemingly, all workplaces. For this reason, it is important to look at the effect of the movement on organizational citizenship behavior. From the roots in the United States, the movement has spread its branches all over the globe while receiving many cases of sexual assaults from the reports sent by women (Onwuachi-Willig, 2018). Shocking enough, most cases come from women and they frequently occur in the workplaces. The women report rape, harassment, and assaults that receive from the bosses and fellow workmates. The eruption of this movement was given a flow by the use of tweeter by Milano an actress who opened a conversation where she allowed those who had been harassed in their places of work. Within a short period of time, the world got to know that this problem has been facing magnitude that did not have the guts to speak about it in the public. Assuredly, with the effectiveness of the movement and several branches that emerged in different parts of the world, cases have been solved with subsequent improvement in organizational behavior. Cases in education Undoubtedly, many cases have been reported by students making the harassment be no stranger out of the abundance of assaults. Lowering down to the University of California, all the campuses have reported with offenders being officials and lecturers. A perfect offender whose investigation led to a report of ninety-seven pages was Carlson Ron constituting testimonials from different students (Murray, 2017). As a result, the event that followed was the resignation of the professor which was granted by UC Irvine immediately they learned about the misconduct. Other cases that had the same relation involving professors in UC were dealt with either termination or sanction with the help of the movement which had motivated the female gender to speak their minds. Outwardly, through the adoration of the movement, harassment in workplaces and institutions was reduced by a great percentage. Government organizations and officials Several cases had been reported to the movement involving government officials from different organizations and political backgrounds. The campaigned exposed two officials and politicians who had harassed a number of women out of the few who shared their experiences. Some politicians like United States Senators triggered the development of Capital Hill which made reporting of cases a bit easier for the cases of assaults and sexual harassment. In the Spanish political system, a variety of publications were aired out as well as the British political parties which were driven by the effectiveness of Weinstein scandal and Me Too campaigns. In the security departments, these cases also exist as Detective reported her Mayor who had sent her sexually suggestive texts. The detective appreciated the movement for sharing her experience for the inspiration of others who may also be victims of such situation by crediting the movement. She believed that the movement helped in shaping the behavior of people in workstations through the sharing of experiences and seeking justice. Sporting organizations The sporting organizations have been involved in scandals associated with disrespect for gender and harassment of the female. One of the cases ever reported in 2016 involved a United States doctor Nassar Larry who happened to be the Michigan State University Gymnastics official. The official was called by the movement after assaulting a six-year-old gymnast during a session for treatment. The case was never taken seriously in the past but with the support of the Me Too Movement which allowed for women's support (Nielsen et al., 2017). After some time, this case was reviewed and this led to life imprisonment of the doctor. Apparently, through this riffles were sent to different organizations as each got informed of the outcomes of the reported cases of harassment. Definitely, this has improved the behavior in workplaces for self-respect and protection of human dignity. Harassment policies Most organizations through the intervention of the movement have revised their non-harassment policies to ensure ethical operations and protection of gender dynamics through the shaping of behaviors. Disciplinary actions have included all employees no matter their levels as they are subjected to respect and restrictions to the violation of policies (Gilmore, 2018). Consequently, harassment training is mandatory for all employees even the senior staff with a demand for regular training. Through the training programs, the battle against sexual harassment is effective with subjection to policies. Definitely, this contribution of Me Too movement is ensuring that ethics are practiced in workplaces. A common mistake made by is ignorance even if they witness sexual harassment. This can come because of loyalty as one tries to protect offenders undermining the interest of the person being harassed. Through setting up policies, good behaviors are encouraged and women feel protected against all sorts of harassment. Holding forums In shaping the behaviors in workplaces, the movement has recommended holding forums where men and women are allowed to enhance their partnership to eradicate the gap which has been created by the perception of power (Blau, 2017). Through these forums, equality in workstations is upheld to avoid discrimination which may lead to harassment and assault. In a majority of organizations, women have reported the highest numbers of assaults that their male counterparts. Apparently, this has been caused by a perception that women are lesser beings and are being exploited by male officials. According to the movement, placing women in powerful positions will reduce the powerful men to force women behind closed doors. Achievement of this requires the employment of favorable rations in an organization to ensure gender equality. Precisely, by fighting for women, a change in behavior can be noted to improve the working conditions. Promotion of a culture of respect and giving in to zero immunity The culture of respect encouraged by the campaigns has motivated good behavior in organizations. Respect for oneself and other teammates from the senior staff down to subordinate staff has been motivated by the movement (Luthans, Luthans & Luthans, 2015). Apparently, organizations should accept the fact that none is free and cannot be affected by harassment. All organizations are prone to sexual harassment and the only thing that should be encouraged is awareness at all levels to ensure that an ethical behavior is practiced by everybody. Handling harassment cases How well cases are handled carries a lot of weight and may determine whether they are prone to recurring. Definitely, is out of manners to keep silence after the occurrence of a reported case of sexual harassment. Investigations are required in a case where an employee has been assaulted and appropriate action should be taken. According to Me Too Movement, after assaults have been discovered, it is fair enough to check for other crimes committed by the offender. This would help in determining whether there is consistency in the behavior. The accuser should also be assured of his or her safety whenever a case is brought on the table (Ross, 2018). Through the assured protection, women will not have a feeling of risk in losing their jobs whenever they report bad behaviors. The efficiency of the campaigns and the movement’s objectives has ensured a change in behavior that is evident since the founding of the movement. Conclusion In creating an ethical environment for organization and company operations, a system that allows for gender dynamics with no room for any sort of harassment should be embraced. Apparently, achieving this state is tricky as it requires the formation of cultures that implements, teamwork, collaboration, and respect without discrimination. Additionally, Me Too Movement suggests that organizations should uphold in clarity in stating their intolerable behaviors. Apparently, the campaigns have focused much on the steps of preventing assaults than seeking justice for already committed crimes. Ultimately, the movement through its various branches has ensured change in the organizational behavior through protection of the perceived lesser gender. As a result, the ethics in organizations have been upheld. References Blau, P. (2017). Exchange and power in social life. Routledge. Gilmore, S. (2018). Sexual harassment in the workplace: beyond the# MeToo campaign. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, 20(2), 85-86. Luthans, F., Luthans, B. C., & Luthans, K. W. (2015). Organizational Behavior: An Evidence-based Approach. IAP. Murray, D. (2017). ‘Empowerment Through Empathy’–We Spoke to Tarana Burke, the Woman Who Really Started the ‘Me Too’Movement. Elle. Nielsen, M. B. D., Kjær, S., Aldrich, P. T., Madsen, I. E., Friborg, M. K., Rugulies, R., & Folker, A. P. (2017). Sexual harassment in care work–Dilemmas and consequences: A qualitative investigation. International journal of nursing studies, 70, 122-130. Onwuachi-Willig, A. (2018). What About# UsToo?: The Invisibility of Race in the# MeToo Movement. Ross, J. (2018). What the# MeToo Campaign Teaches about Stop and Frisk. Idaho L. Rev., 54, 543. Read More