Sexual Harassment Laws: Have We Gone Too Far?

Abstract

Our forefathers based our decisions to withdraw on a simple principle: "that all men are created equal." Sexual harassment laws are the latest wave in the efforts to protect our fundamental principle. The courts have rendered decisions outlawing the sexual harassment form of discrimination and allow­ ing victims to sue for damages. Governmental agencies have promulgated guidelines for assessing employer liability. Still, the problem persists. Recently, legislatures have begun to explore new ways of dealing with sexual harassment. These innovative approaches emphasize use of training and alternative dispute resolution. They focus on educating workers and students to respect each other and promote peaceful resolution of problematic issues. Sexual harassment laws will continue to develop until equality is achieved. Our forefathers based our decision to withdraw from English rule on one simple principle: "that all men are created equal" [1]. This fundamental principle stands as a shining beacon guiding immigrants to our shores. Men and women of all shapes, sizes, colors, and creeds built our country. Each lent a piece, which formed a patchwork of the highest quality. Thus, the United States should constitute a conglomerate of the best of all these various cultures. We have developed our laws in accordance with that goal. The United States Constitution, the first law ever passed in the United States, originally set up our new government: a government that gave all classes of people at least an indirect say in the passage of future laws [2]. Shortly after enacting the original Constitution, our forefathers amended the supreme law of the land to © 1995, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc. 101 doi: 10.2190/FYY7-EP4Q-FHN9-QKJW http://baywood.com