Sexual Harassment In Chemistry Classrooms: Three Students' Experiences

Issues of sexual bias and harassment are serious ones for all educators, but perhaps are of the greatest concern for science educators due to the serious underrepresentation of women in scientific fields. Female students are receiving both overt and covert messages from many directions that are turning them away from choices that might lead to science careers, and many of these messages come directly from their science teachers. Sexual harassment is a new and uncharted issue for society in general and educators specifically. This article deals with sexual bias and harassment behaviors of teachers that potentially impede the success and participation of female students in science.