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Pros and cons of using sexualized behavior as “a weapon in the arsenal”. In “Gender on Trial”, Holly English states, “Along with legal protection to fend off advances, the other side of the coin is that females are allowed more space to decide affirmatively how they want to assert their sexuality, if at all. For instance, some women use flirting or charm to facilitate relationships with colleagues and clients and to advance their careers. A male in-house lawyer describes how his female boss interacted with a company client: The man was obviously smitten by our boss, who’s an attractive woman. Instead of failing to use all her weapons in her arsenal, she leaned in close to listen to him, touched him on the arm, went on a major charm offensive. It was an effort to close a deal. She has the credibility-academically and professionally- to overcome stereotypes.”


Women know the power they have over men and they know they can use themselves to get closer to men and to get what they want in certain situations. Pros to that is just being able to get your way and being able to get out of situations you do not want to be in and being able to get into situations they do want to be in. Another pro that comes out of this is confidence and success.

Some people think some cons that come out of this are sliding down a slippery slope. “It de-legitimizes a woman by reawakening the stereotype that a woman’s mere presence is overwhelmingly sexual rather that professional.” says English. Some women believe that there is a time and placing for flirting in the office and sometimes it is completely inappropriate; they say it all depends how the man acts on it. If he starts it then you can continue it, but if not then don’t do it. You see sexualized behavior used as a “weapon in arsenal” all over television as well and it is shown as a good thing and something that women should do because it gets them places, especially in the movie Erin Brokovich.