It shouldn’t take having daughters for men to realize that sexual harassment is unacceptable. This week, the issue is at the forefront of public discourse, especially as more allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein come to light. A recurring narrative has emerged: the man with daughters who suddenly claims to grasp the severity of sexual harassment.
Isn’t that a bit problematic? Shouldn’t the understanding that women are deserving of respect and dignity be inherent and not contingent upon fatherhood? This notion was particularly highlighted when celebrity actor Jake Matthews addressed the Weinstein allegations. Amidst claims that he helped silence a 2004 story regarding Weinstein’s misconduct, Matthews defended his actions by stating, “Even before fame, I’ve never tolerated such behavior. But now, as a father of three daughters, the reality of sexual predation is something that deeply troubles me. It’s a fear that resonates with all of us. If you have a daughter, you know…”
But here’s a reality check: Harvey Weinstein has daughters too. Four of them. Their existence didn’t deter him from being a serial predator. Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that women deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, simply because they are human beings. It’s wrong, period.
Let’s recap some of the allegations for context. There’s the audio recording of a woman pleading with Weinstein to leave her alone while he attempted to manipulate her into entering his hotel room. Then there’s the account of a journalist cornered by him in a restaurant kitchen, where he demanded she “shut up and stand there” while he engaged in inappropriate behavior. Additionally, a detailed report revealed multiple instances where women claimed Weinstein forced them into sexual acts against their will.
Do you really need to be a father of daughters to grasp how utterly repulsive this all is? Newsflash: every woman is, in fact, someone’s daughter. Shocking, right?
Social media has had enough of this line of reasoning. Women exist as individuals outside of a man’s experience, and it would be refreshing for that to be fully recognized. Here’s a pro-tip: if you only began to comprehend the gravity of predatory behavior after having daughters, it might be best to keep that to yourself.
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In summary, it’s imperative for all men to understand that the value of women and the importance of consent should not hinge on personal relationships. Awareness and respect should be universal, not something that comes with the experience of fatherhood.