What Were You Wearing? Addressing Harassment in Polar Science
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Chapter 1: The Incident
Recently, a troubling event occurred aboard the Akademik Fedorov, a support vessel for the MOSAIC expedition. Following an incident of sexual harassment, instead of addressing the men's behavior adequately, the officers opted to instruct the women onboard to refrain from wearing form-fitting clothing. Having already spent six weeks at sea, the women were unable to alter their attire significantly. The embedded journalists, for instance, primarily packed leggings and fitted jeans, which are practical choices for comfort on a long voyage.
This situation highlights a persistent issue: rather than holding men accountable for their actions, the focus shifted to telling women how to avoid harassment.
Section 1.1: Personal Reflections
Reflecting on my own experiences, I struggle to remember precisely what I wore when I faced sexual harassment at a college party. I believe it was a pair of 90s-style jeans and a simple t-shirt, typical of my college wardrobe unless the occasion called for something more formal. Yet, if I were to recount this story to a new audience, I can almost guarantee that someone would ask, "What were you wearing?"
This question exemplifies the societal tendency to scrutinize female victims of sexual harassment, often implying they somehow provoked the incident. Such judgments extend even to those who identify or present as female.
By instructing the women on the ship to modify their clothing instead of reprimanding the men involved, the captain of the Akademik Fedorov failed to support the women and, in effect, reinforced harmful stereotypes about male self-control.
Subsection 1.1.1: Visual Representation
Chapter 2: Historical Context of Discrimination
The field of polar science has a long-standing history of gender discrimination. Notably, the first woman set foot on the Antarctic mainland only in 1937, and the U.S. did not assign women to Antarctic stations until 1969. The conversation around dress codes perpetuates the notion that women distract from scientific endeavors, suggesting that their presence is problematic.
Despite gradual improvements, women remain significantly underrepresented in this field. Addressing harassment complaints in remote environments poses unique challenges, particularly when the harasser holds a position of authority, such as a captain.
Section 2.1: The Challenge of Benevolent Sexism
Fieldwork is inherently demanding, both physically and mentally. This environment can lead some men to adopt "benevolent sexism," arguing that women are unsuitable for challenging tasks because they lack physical strength, or perpetuating stereotypes that women are better suited for domestic roles like cooking.
Instead of resorting to outdated notions of dress codes, we must confront these issues directly. Telling women how to dress is never a viable solution.
In the first video, "Health Imperatives: 'What Were You Wearing' Exhibit," the discussion revolves around the impact of victim-blaming in the context of sexual harassment.
The second video, "What Were You Wearing? A Project to End Victim-Blaming," explores initiatives aimed at changing the narrative around victimization and accountability.