Sexuality is an integral part of human existence, shaping how people perceive themselves and others. Sexualized perception shapes professional norms through its influence on socialization, power dynamics, gender roles, communication patterns, and expectations for interpersonal behavior. Sexualized perception can create biases that impact workplace performance. This essay examines these influences and explains why it is crucial to unpack them.
Socialization
Socialization occurs during childhood and adolescence, when individuals learn the values, behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, customs, and expectations of their culture. Throughout this process, they internalize messages about what it means to be male, female, heterosexual, or homosexual. They also develop understandings of appropriate sexual behavior and ways to express desire. In many cultures, men are expected to be dominant, assertive, powerful, and aggressive while women are expected to be submissive, passive, and nurturing. These socially constructed gender roles shape interactions between men and women, leading to hierarchies in which one group holds more authority than another. When these same roles carry over into the workplace, they contribute to a lack of diversity and inclusion among employees.
Power Dynamics
Sexualized perception affects power dynamics by creating a hierarchy based on sexual desirability. Women who conform to traditional feminine beauty standards may be seen as more desirable than those who do not, leading to unequal access to resources such as promotions and salary increases. Men who embody masculine traits may also experience privilege because of their perceived dominance and strength. Those who defy normative gender roles may face discrimination, harassment, and even violence. The way people view each other sexually impacts how they interact and collaborate with colleagues, often resulting in tension that negatively impacts productivity.
Communication Patterns
Communication patterns can be influenced by sexualized perception, wherein individuals communicate differently depending on whether they find someone attractive or unattractive. This difference is especially apparent when it comes to flirting and sexual banter, which can create a hostile environment for some employees. Flirtatious comments can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and hurt feelings if not reciprocated. Some individuals may feel pressured to engage in unwanted advances due to fears of social rejection or retaliation from co-workers. These patterns of communication can make professional interactions difficult, leading to a culture of distrust and mistrust.
Expectations for Interpersonal Behavior
Sexualized perception shapes expectations for interpersonal behavior, including the appropriateness of physical contact, touching, and hugging. Touch is an important form of nonverbal communication, but it can become problematic when crossed boundaries are ignored or violated. In some cases, individuals may use touch as a means of manipulation or control, creating a power imbalance between those involved. Workplaces should have clear policies around what types of physical contact are acceptable to prevent potential abuse. Sexualized perception also influences how employees treat one another outside of work hours, such as at happy hour events or company retreats, which can lead to harassment or assault claims if lines are crossed.
This essay examined how sexualized perception shapes professional norms through its influence on socialization, power dynamics, communication patterns, and expectations for interpersonal behavior. Understanding these factors can help employers foster inclusive workplace cultures that value diversity and respect all employees equally regardless of gender identity or expression. By unpacking sexism and other biases, businesses can create healthier environments where everyone feels safe, valued, and included.
In what ways does sexualized perception shape the development of professional norms?
According to researchers like Kahn (2014), a woman's perception of her body and its desirability as an object of sexual attraction is shaped by various factors during her childhood and adolescence, including parental modeling, social pressure from peers and media messages about body image, and personal experiences with romantic partners or relationships.