Sexual Harassment in Jane Austen’s Time and Today
When we read the works of Jane Austen, we are transported to a world where manners, elegance, and wit were prized above all else. However, beneath the surface of her novels lies a darker reality – one where sexual harassment was prevalent but often went unacknowledged. In this post, we will explore how sexual harassment manifested itself in Jane Austen’s time and compare it to the modern-day workplace.
In Regency England, women were expected to be demure and submissive. They were not allowed to express their opinions or pursue their own interests without the permission of their male guardians. This created a power dynamic where men held all the cards while women had little agency over their lives.
As a result, sexual harassment was rampant in society. Men saw women as objects to be pursued and conquered rather than individuals with thoughts and feelings of their own. Women who defied these expectations risked being ostracized or worse – labeled as promiscuous or loose.
One example from Austen’s novels is Mr. Elton from Emma. He is infatuated with Emma Woodhouse but she does not return his affections. Instead of taking no for an answer, he tries to force himself upon her during a carriage ride home from a party:
“He began talking nonsense about his admiration for Miss Smith; said he should never have presumed to think of Miss Woodhouse; that he had been perfectly cured of his attachment by seeing so many faults in both sisters; but that he was still very glad to have entered into the engagement because otherwise he might never have known what happiness was.”
This passage shows how Mr. Elton uses flattery and false compliments as a way to manipulate Emma into thinking she has led him on when she has done nothing wrong.
Another example is Willoughby from Sense & Sensibility who preys on Marianne Dashwood’s naivety and vulnerability. He seduces her, then abandons her when he sees that she is not as wealthy as he had hoped:
“Oh! Marianne, how could you so mistake me? How could you so forget what passed in town? That I should think of Colonel Brandon as a respectable man—yes, in spite of all that has happened since—that I should regard him as a man whose wife would be accepted by your friends without one objection—”
This passage illustrates how Willoughby tries to deflect responsibility for his actions and make it seem like he was never serious about Marianne in the first place.
In both cases, the men use their power and influence to make women feel small and helpless. They take advantage of social norms that allow them to behave badly without fear of repercussions.
Fast forward to today’s workplace and we see similar patterns emerge. Despite progress made through legislation such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act which prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender, sexual harassment remains an ongoing issue.
According to a study conducted by Stop Street Harassment, 81% of women have experienced sexual harassment at some point in their lives. This includes unwanted touching or groping, leering or staring with sexual intent, sexually explicit comments or jokes, and more.
One reason why sexual harassment persists is because it is often difficult to prove. In many cases, there are no witnesses present when the incident occurs making it a case of “he said/she said”. Additionally, victims may be afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation from their harassers or even loss of employment.
Another factor contributing to this problem is power dynamics within workplaces – just like in Regency England where men held all the cards over women. Employers who hold positions of authority may use this leverage against subordinates who are dependent on them for job security or advancement opportunities.
It’s important that we continue working towards creating safe and equitable workplaces for all. To do so, we need to start by acknowledging the problem and encouraging open dialogue about what constitutes sexual harassment.
In Jane Austen’s time, women had little recourse when faced with sexual harassment. They could not speak openly about their experiences or seek legal action against their abusers. Today, we have more resources available to help victims of sexual harassment including hotlines, support groups, and legal advocacy organizations.
We must also hold perpetrators accountable for their actions by implementing stronger policies and procedures that address sexual harassment in the workplace. This includes providing training for employees on what constitutes appropriate behavior and how to report incidents if they occur.
In conclusion, while society has come a long way since Jane Austen’s time when it comes to gender equality, there is still much work to be done in combating sexual harassment in the workplace. By shining a light on this issue and working together towards solutions, we can create a world where everyone feels safe and respected regardless of gender or identity.