F

Now What?

by Joan C. Williams and Suzanne Lebsock

FAREWELL TO THE WORLD where men can treat the workplace like a

frat house or a pornography shoot. Since Hollywood producer Harvey

Weinstein was accused of sexual misconduct in early October, sim-

ilar allegations have been made about nearly 100 other powerful

people. They all are names you probably recognize, in fi elds includ-

ing media, technology, hospitality, politics, and entertainment. It’s

a watershed moment for workplace equality and safety; 87% of

Americans now favor zero tolerance of sexual harassment.

Not only is this better for women, but it’s better for most men.

A workplace culture in which sexual harassment is rampant is

often one that also shames men who refuse to participate. These

men- who- don’ t- fi t, like the mistreated women, face choices about

whether and how to intervene without endangering their careers.

Still, it’s unnerving for many men to see the numbers of those

toppled by accusations grow ever higher. The recent summary dis-

missals of high- powered executives and celebrities have triggered

worries that any man might be accused and ruined. Half of men

(49%) say the recent furor has made them think again about their

own behavior around women. Men wonder whether yesterday’s

sophomoric idiocy is today’s career wrecker.

This is not a fi ght between men and women, however. One of the

journalists to break the Weinstein story was Ronan Farrow, son of

Mia Farrow and Woody Allen. Yes, that Woody Allen— the one who

married his longtime girlfriend’s daughter and is alleged to have