I consider myself a 3/4 feminist. Have always been one, a few relatively recent things disturb me a bit.
In particular, I think extreme versions of what the standards of proof and presumed facts should be in harassment suits, can lead to enormous abuse. But I am a FIRM supporter of routing out clear cases of harassment. Maybe make it illegal, and therefor prosecution is paid for by the state. Not only a civil case, exclusively the complaining woman's burden to prove. But also be sure the standards and presumptions aren't too low. I.e., a male who is higher in an organization should not be presumed to be harassing a female who is lower, meerly because he is dating her. Or asks her out, say twice, is refused, and then ceases. There should be some real evidence of coercion.
I really do think that women should be able to rise as far as their abilities allow. I have no problem, at all, with a woman boss. I've never had one, though have had a number of co-equal colleagues, as well as women higher in the hierarchy, but not directly supervising me. No problem. I might even prefer a woman boss. Anyway, no problems, at all.
Doug |
