Sexual harassment in modeling and in photo shoots
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. From the other hand, it relates to any mental, emotional or physical pain resulted by disagreeable sexual advancement, requests for sexual favor, sexual comments or any form of verbal and/or physical sexual activity that hurts the personality or integrity.
Sexual harassment/ violence in a workplace/ home are not normal but common. Her exposure to the world as individual personality has initiated her to earn her own identity. She likes to live her own and expects right to get respect.
Gary W. Charpentier, the author of the article “Sexual Harassment in Modeling” says that many photographers “have had to take classes in the prevention of sexual harassment at their place of employment.”
The author substantiates and delivers a strong message to all potentially involved in sexual harassment in modeling, especially photographs and promoters: “It you want to engage in behaviors that are potentially harassing, please don’t do it at a photo shoot…. Take yourself into a strip club or nude bar and do your hooting, hollering, cat whistles, ogles, and other things. At least there the women expect it, and are hopefully being paid enough to put up with it… Photographers, please wake up! She is a model. Nothing more, nothing less. Treat her professionally and you will get some great photos. Keep your solicitations to yourself. Keep your hands off her.”
The article was written as far back as in 1994, but today Charpentier’s seems to have been formulated just now: “photographers, the shoots are not a boys’ club environment, where the girls are there for your pleasure. They are models, many of them professional quality. Treat them as professional models. Show them courtesy and respect. They appreciate it and it will show in your pictures….”
Whereas most of materials on the subject have traditionally been devoted to protection of women against sexual harrassment, the article “How to avoid sexual harassment from gay agents” at http://www.campusmen.com/male-modeling/modeling-agents-sex.html contains a
kind of respective instructions for prospective male models/. The message and advice, in brief, is as follows. “Play It Smart by Keeping Quiet” - Simply make intelligent choices that help your career. After you become an established male model, always leave an agent whose priority is sex. “Don’t Respond to Sexual Comments” - Often the agent’s first step toward seducing a guy is to start making flirtatious comments. It’s best to politely avoid these discussions from the start. “Don’t Fail the Test. Avoid the Test!” - Don’t make him think he has a chance. Get Reliable Info from Established male model . “Don’t Be Homophobic”
If you are still interested in becoming a male model, now you know some valuable theories that you can use to protect yourself and further your career. If the idea of working with unethical agents is too much for you, consider the time you save by choosing another career. Still, with some diligent street smarts, you can be successful and avoid being sexually harassed.
Also, male models are advised to attend a party at an agent’s home with another male model, or a group of friends; never make anti-gay statements to an agent or to other male models, never discuss the subject; never assume other male models you meet are straight; Never accuse an agent of being unscrupulous; avoid becoming close to an agent and discussing your personal life with an agent; Never discuss what you do in bed.
The above set of instructions and advice can be useful for both female and male models.
Source:http://www.fashiongates.com
