Gendered harassment in secondary schools: understanding teachers’ (non) interventions

Elizabeth J. Meyer, Concordia University, Center for the Study of Learning and Performance, Montreal, Canada

Article comments

Copyright © 2008 Taylor & Francis. This is an electronic version of an article published in Gender and Education. The definitive version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09540250802213115.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Elizabeth Meyer was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

Abstract

This article provides an analysis of teachers’ perceptions of and responses to gendered harassment in Canadian secondary schools based on in‐depth interviews with six teachers in one urban school district. Gendered harassment includes any behaviour that polices and reinforces traditional heterosexual gender norms such as (hetero)sexual harassment, homophobic harassment, and harassment for gender non‐conformity. This study shows that educators experience a combination of external and internal influences that act as either barriers or motivators for intervention. Some of the external barriers include: lack of institutional support from administrators; lack of formal education on the issue; inconsistent response from colleagues; fear of parent backlash; and negative community response. By gaining a better understanding of the complex factors that shape how teachers view and respond to gendered harassment, we can work towards more effective solutions to reduce these behaviours in schools.