Women Empowerment and the #MeToo Movement: Both Sides

Introduction: The Rise of the #MeToo Movement

When the #MeToo movement arrived in the wake of accusations made against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, an avalanche of allegations fell upon male celebrities, CEOs, and executives who had occupied positions of power and used them either to solicit sexual favors from female subordinates or to impose themselves on unwilling participants. Women across the internet began tagging their responses on Twitter with #MeToo to show solidarity with others who had been made victims of sexual assault. The movement was widely viewed as a step toward the empowerment of women, as they were using their voices to challenge a system in which men leveraged their power to subordinate women in a demeaning and non-consensual manner (Ralph).

However, as the movement gained momentum, many voices emerged to criticize it. Roseanne Barr, for instance, called a woman who exchanged sexual favors to advance her career a "ho" and applied that label to women such as the politician and presidential candidate Kamala Harris (Henderson). When Christine Blasey Ford and Democratic allies mounted an attack on the character of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh — one that many considered unverifiable — critics saw it as a case of the political left exploiting the movement for partisan purposes.

Thus, the impact of the movement has been two-pronged. On the one hand, it has brought greater attention to women's predicament in society and in the workplace, providing them with a platform to voice their concerns. On the other hand, it has produced a culture of accusation in which careers and reputations can be destroyed even without supporting evidence. Some who initially declared that all women should be believed later retreated from that position when they themselves became targets — James Franco being one notable example. This paper examines both sides of the #MeToo movement and considers how it has produced both beneficial and harmful effects.

Positive Effects: Empowerment and Workplace Change

The positive effects of the #MeToo movement have been substantial. It has given women greater power to use their voices to draw attention to law-breakers like Weinstein who exploit their positions to rape, manipulate, and assault. Women are now shown more respect across virtually all industries, as those in authority have been put on notice: unless they want their careers derailed by a #MeToo post, they must conduct themselves appropriately at all times. The movement has eliminated much of the leering, innuendo, and unwanted solicitation that women previously endured in silence. Women no longer feel powerless against powerful men; the internet has given them a tool to stand up against those who try to take advantage of them.

Corporate Response and Institutional Reform

When Google attempted to give a generous exit package to a high-ranking executive accused by the movement, Google employees organized a walkout to protest the decision and draw attention to unfair practices at the tech giant (Elsesser). Their protests helped bring change to the company and to other businesses across America, where men and women have stood together in support of women's empowerment. Companies like Google and other Silicon Valley businesses are now reshaping how they think about women in the workplace — hiring more, paying more, and creating safer working environments. As O'Neil et al. note, "poor organizational responses to sexual harassment in the workplace can revictimise and exacerbate the negative effects" of sexual harassment, and workplaces have taken that lesson to heart and are making meaningful changes (2587).

The movement has therefore had a powerful and positive effect on women's empowerment and has helped to place women on a more stable footing in both society and the workplace. Those in positions of power who have long been rumored to exploit others are now being held accountable. A recent example is director Bryan Singer, whose long-rumored involvement in abusive conduct toward underage boys finally attracted serious scrutiny. Women's empowerment, in this sense, has not only helped women but has also protected others who lack the means to defend themselves.

Conclusion: A Movement with Mixed Results

The #MeToo movement has been both good and bad for women. It has empowered them to stand up against real perpetrators of violence and abuse, and it has given them the power to challenge men who have used their positions to exploit others. This is the very definition of empowerment, and its impact in that regard is real. On the other hand, some have attempted to exploit the movement itself for political, social, or economic purposes, leveling accusations unsupported by facts. Those individuals have, in turn, been called out by others who are tired of the performance of victimhood. What empowers some does not empower all.

Works Cited

Elsesser, Kim. "Googlers To Walk Out Over Sexual Harassment: Here Are The Lessons For Google." Forbes, 2018. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2018/10/31/googlers-walk-out-over-sexual-harassment-here-are-the-lessons-for-google/

Henderson, Cydney. "Roseanne Barr calls #MeToo accusers 'hoes,' slams Sen. Kamala Harris, Christine Blasey Ford." USA Today, 2019.

O'Neil, Adrienne, et al. "The #MeToo movement: an opportunity in public health?" The Lancet 391.10140 (2018): 2587–2589.

Ralph, Sarah. "#MeToo and #TimesUp — what now for employers?" Governance Directions 70.3 (2018): 140.