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From: mjm@ahimsa.intel.com (Marjorie Panditji)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: Viewing Gifs
Message-ID: <1991Jun11.155757.17816@aero.org>
Date: 10 Jun 91 20:53:32 GMT
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Organization: The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA
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Originator: nadel@aerospace.aero.org



Regarding the sexually explicit or nude pictures available for viewing on
computers, I do believe that such pictures, whether of men or women (or
assorted barnyard animals) are not appropriate for work.  In fact, these
pictures probably fall under the "hostile environment" category of sexual
harassment.  If a person has to work in an environment which displays this
type of picture, I believe they have grounds for complaint and even legal
action if nothing is done after they complain.  I don't know what is
considered the work environment, e.g., pictures inside someone's office vs.
those displayed in a common work area.  However, I believe that if you have
to go into a person's office in order to do your job then their office is
considered part of your work environment.  Getting back to the gifs, if
they are displayed in some area you have to work in, or are available from
computer owned by your company, I think that would count as hostile
environment.  Note that you can complain about sexual harassment whether
you are male or female.

Check out the March 18, 1991 issue of BusinessWeek, Legal Affairs column,
for an interesting article about sexual harassment in the workplace.

Now for a little sarcasm:

C'mon, boys, if you really want to jack-off at work, why not get something
with a little better resolution than your computer screen?  There are plenty
of slick, glossy mags you can buy at adult bookstores that would be more of
a turn-on.  You could keep them in your desk, or take them to the men's room
for more privacy (hard to drag your computer with you into the men's room).
That is, if you simply can't survive for 8 or 9 hours without it (I mean,
otherwise, you could just wait until you got home, right?).

On a more serious and curious note:

Does anyone know why people display these pictures at the office?  I have seen
a few women displaying pictures, too, so it is not only men who do this
(although men seem to be in the majority and their pictures seem to be more,
uh, graphic).  I don't want to discuss whether it is morally "right" or
"wrong" (although there may be legal consequences, as I mentioned above, if
it is perceived as sexual harassment).  I just don't understand the benefit.
It would seem to be more enjoyable, and would lead to more productive work,
to get your turn-ons in private.  Note that I am not asking why people enjoy
these pictures, I am asking why they enjoy them *at work*.

On the other hand, the motive may be something else.  For example, men may do
it to intimidate women (perhaps to claim their personal territory?), and women
may do it as "revenge" or to show men how it feels to be displayed (or even
for the same reasons as men, I don't know).  Perhaps these pictures are
displayed for "artistic" reasons?  :-)

I'm making no claim to know the reasons.  I'm curious what others think.
Any thoughts on this?  Any studies on pin-ups in the workplace?
--
Marjorie Panditji
mjm@ahimsa.intel.com  -or-  uunet!intelhf!ahimsa!mjm

Disclaimer:  I do not speak for Intel and Intel doesn't speak for me.