Pierre Bourdieu, #metoo og strukturperspektivets revansje

Abstract

Pierre Bourdieu, #metoo and the revanche of the structural perspective. Research on sexual harassment in the 1990s was not recognized. There was a lack of cultural resonance against sexual harassment. We discuss why there was such a lack of resonance, in the unions, the press, the law, and the social sciences. However, #metoo revolutionized the cultural resonance against sexual harassment. Acknowledged in pub-lic, it is no longer possible to claim that sexual harassment is an individual problem, which particularly affects some women. It is now apparent that this is a deeper, structural problem. We call this the revanche of the structural perspective. In consequence, we argue for the relevance of the sociology of Bourdieu, especially his theory of masculine domination. However, his theory has its limits. To explain the new cultural resonance against sexual harassment, we need å more dynamic and reflexive understanding of habitus. Positive changes have followed #metoo in Norway and Sweden. Changes, however, triggers resistance, both culturally and institutionally.