To stop sexual harassment, we must understand why it happens. In her Tedx Talk, Stanford University sociologist Marianne Cooper shares the research with us about the root causes of sexual harassment. And then, with her powerful call to action, we learn about what each of us can do to prevent harassment, hold abusers accountable, give voice to the voiceless, and work together to create long lasting change. Marianne Cooper is a sociologist studying gender and inequality at the Clayman Institute for Gender Research and the Center for Women’s Leadership at Stanford University. She is also an affiliate at the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality. She was the lead researcher for Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg. She is a contributing writer to The Atlantic and writes about gender, leadership, diversity and inclusion, financial insecurity, and economic inequality. She is an author of the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Lean In & McKinsey Women in the Workplace reports on the status of women in corporate America. Her book, Cut Adrift: Families in Insecure Times, examines how families are coping with economic insecurity. She received her Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. 

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Marianne Cooper: The power of us: how we stop sexual harassment | Marianne Cooper | TEDxUniversityofNevada

The power of us: how we stop sexual harassment | Marianne Cooper | TEDxUniversityofNevada

Male-dominated, hierarchical, and permissive of bad behavior: key traits of organizations where sexual harassment thrives.

Gender harassment, not sexual solicitation, is the most prevalent form, aiming to demean women for violating feminine ideals.

Power imbalances and permissive environments fuel harassment. Leaders' serious stance and gender equity are vital for change.