The influence of gender and gender-pairings on clergy's identification of sexually ambiguous behavior as sexual harassment

A sample of 371 United Methodist clergy indicated how strongly they believed a sexually ambiguous scenario between a senior pastor and associate pastor constituted sexual harassment when senior/associate pastor genders were varied. Participants also completed the Tolerance of Sexual Harassment Inventory (TSHI). Male clergy were less likely than females to perceive the interaction between a senior pastor and associate (in any of four gender-pairings) as sexual harassment. There were no significant differences in perception of sexual harassment based on senior/associate pastor gender pairings. Males and those 46 and older were significantly more tolerant of sexual harassment than females and those 45 and under.She is also a United Methodist minister. Additional information may be requested by writing her at the University of Colorado at Denver, Campus Box 106, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364 or by calling 303-556-6032.