A Study on the Female Home Attendants' Work-related Experiences of Sexual Harassment
Journal
臺大社會工作學刊
Journal Volume
無
Journal Issue
2
Pages
97-149
Date Issued
2000
Author(s)
Abstract
This study intends to explore the home makers' experiences of work-related sexual harassment. The author used purposeful sampling to find study subjects from four home care service agencies in a northern city of Taiwan. One 1 to 1 interview, one 1 to 2 interview, and three focus group interviews were conducted and taped. Interview data was analyzed qualitatively, using a symbolic interactionist approach. Results showed: 1. Sexual harassment is a dynamic process full of subjective interpretation and usage of symbols. 2. Sexual harassment may occur between two persons of the same sex, but it is even harder to get support from others. 3. The harassers in this case may be the clients, family of the clients, or their neighbors. 4. Content of sexual harassment was multidimensional, including verbal, non-verbal, physical, seductive behaviors, sexual materials, intrusion of privacy, sexual bribery, and gender harassment. 5. Home makers' reactions to sexual harassment were also multi-dimensional, indicating their complex process of coping with the experiences. 6. The harassers were not totally "bad guys", for their inappropriate behaviors were influenced by the local culture, their own earlier behavioral patterns, and their current physical and emotional difficulties. A "loss of interaction balance" model was proposed to explain the process of sexual harassment.
Subjects
性騷擾
居家服務員
質性研究
焦點團體
象徵互動論
sexual harassment
home makers
qualitative study
focus group
symbolic interactionism
Type
journal article