Rethinking Adolescent Peer Sexual Harassment: Contributions of Feminist Theory

Abstract

This article provides an integrative review of the literature on adolescent sexual harassment and highlights potential contributions of feminist theory for research. Although developmental theories for studying sexual harassment are useful in their own right, the discussion focuses on how they fail to address the ways in which sexual harassment serves to reinforce the socially constructed, privileged notions of heterosexual masculinity and femininity. The highlights and benefits of utilizing feminist theories for understanding how sexual harassment is deeply rooted in dominant definitions and expected performances of gender and sexuality are discussed. Considering a feminist perspective provides a nuanced understanding of this phenomenon, and suggestions for educational institutions and personnel are provided as well as suggestions for future research.

Keywords:

• school violence
• sexual harassment
• secondary schools
• adolescence
• feminist theory