Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, recently shared his thoughts about Fox News employees coming forward about sexual harassment in the workplace. When asked what he would hope his daughter, Ivanka, would do in such a situation, Trump's answer was… nothing out of the ordinary for what we have come to expect from him, but certainly not what we’d hope to hear from a father and potential future president.
"I would like to think she would find another career or find another company if that was the case.”
Besides the fact that his response suspects the idea that it’s so easy for a woman to up-and-quit her job every time a boss or coworker decides to sexually harass her, (which is another conversation in itself) it is sad to think a father would suspect — or even hope — their own daughter would do exactly that. When you consider the high rates of sexual harassment among women, only one in four reporting the abuse.
Why would you want your daughter to be punished by having to find another job rather than having the abuser be reprimanded for his actions? “Boys will be boys” does not work when you are a grown man!
Sexual harassment is all too common to start, but it’s also a norm in the workplace (for both men and women). It’s most often executed by men in higher or powerful positions, which is the reason why many of their victims don’t come forward. There are plenty of stories about people not speaking up, because they feared getting fired, as well as stories of people who did, in fact, step up and were just that – fired. It’s, unfortunately, a very common occurrence. So why would a father respond with such little concern or understanding? (Besides the fact that it’s Trump.)
Despite his awful, cringe-worthy response, this is a good way for other fathers, mothers, guardians, and any sort of parental figure, to learn how to NOT teach their kids to handle such situations. Instead, we should teach our children (girls and boys) that sexual harassment is not okay. On the street, at work, or at school...it’s never okay. And despite the possibility of consequences, you should speak up, no matter what! This also brings up another lesson that should be taught –– victim blaming is unacceptable. A person should not have to jeopardize their career, their future, or tolerate being punished for refusing to deal with harassment. Know your rights!
It pleases me to think, that by my generation putting the importance on teaching our kids not to treat another human being with such disrespect and behave in such a disgusting manner. In the future, it could lessen and possibly diminish victim blaming and the number of abusers themselves. Bottom line, sexual harassment (and rape) is never okay. It really is simple, and if you can teach your child about the birds and the bees, you should certainly be able to teach them basic respect and human decency.
