When the #MeToo movement began gaining momentum, many believed that the tides had shifted in favor of women — finally. No longer could men abuse their power and the women beneath them. No more keeping quiet. Things would be different.
And they are. But not necessarily in a good way. A new study from the University of Houston found that in the aftermath of #MeToo, the pro-woman movement has hurt working women more than it has helped. More than 20% of men said they were reluctant to hire attractive women, and even more said they were reluctant to hire women for jobs involving “interpersonal interactions,” such as traveling. More than a quarter of men said they avoid one-on-one meetings with female colleagues altogether.
Some of the results are much more positive: 74% of women said they would be more willing now to speak out against harassment, and 77% of men said they are more conscientious of potentially inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Men are also more likely to adopt the “Mike Pence Rule,” meaning they’re less likely to dine alone or get drinks one-on-one with a colleague who is not their spouse or significant other.
Clearly, there’s been a cultural shift. What was once considered acceptable now gives both men and women pause. This is good. The “Mike Pence Rule” should be the societal norm, and as I wrote earlier, it already is for most women. Caution isn’t prudish, it’s wise.
But if these results are indeed representative of the post-#MeToo work environment, this behavioral change won’t last for long; it seems to be driven more by fear than genuine conviction. For example, 58% of men predicted that men in general will be more fearful of being unfairly accused of sexual harassment and abuse. After Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s contentious confirmation, this fear skyrocketed, and this survey confirms that it has only gotten worse.
Fear among women remains high, as well. The majority of women (56%) believe men will continue to harass but take more precautions so as not to get caught. The traditional power structures that #MeToo challenged are still, unfortunately, in place. The only difference now is that we are more aware than ever of the dangers they present.
The cultural change #MeToo demands can’t be forced. Toppling abusive men from their positions of power might provide justice, but it won’t change the fact that they viewed women as objects to be used. Enabling women to speak out might reduce the stigma surrounding sexual harassment, but it won’t eliminate the fear of consequences that accompany such action.
#MeToo has done a lot of good, but it lacks the cultural persuasiveness necessary to achieve lasting change. Instead, it uses itself as a weapon, threatening all men — not just powerful men — with societal scorn and derision if they dare to challenge its feminist doctrine. And it does all of this in the name of advancing women, when, in fact, it has done the opposite in the workplace, as this survey shows.
A lasting solution must be a grassroots one. Not one that starts at the top, yanking condemned men down with no way of preventing them from climbing their way back up. #MeToo created an artificial respect for women. Real respect is taught and nourished in households and communities. It’s more than a checklist of do’s-and-don’t’s; it’s a value, and a cherished one at that.
This means it’s up to us, the individuals, both male and female, to demand more from those we love, while striving to live up to what should be a mutual standard of decency and respect. Let’s finish what #MeToo started. But let’s do it the right way.
