"This scene plays out so many times: A woman is out at a bar when a man approaches her and acts in a manner that makes her uncomfortable. She tries to get him to go away, but he doesn't take the hint. She quickly scans the room looking for help, but everyone else drinks, chats and goes about their night."
"But of course, speaking out against any harmful situation is not only the right thing to do, it can save lives. "When masculinity gets defined as dominance or toughness, stepping in can feel like a trap. If you call out another guy, you risk being seen as soft," said Ron Burg , PhD, Licensed Psychologist. "A healthier way to frame masculinity is as protecting the safety of the community. It's not about shaming the other guy; it's about showing that in your space, respect matters.""
Unwanted encounters in public settings frequently leave women subjected to harassment while other patrons ignore the situation. The bystander effect reduces the likelihood that people will speak up or act when more people are present. Research indicates women are more likely than men to intervene in these scenarios. Masculine norms, including beliefs that masculinity requires dominance or toughness and fear of peer judgment, can discourage men from stepping in. Framing masculinity as protecting community safety rather than asserting dominance can encourage intervention. Speaking out against harmful behavior is both morally important and can prevent further harm.
Read at HuffPost
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