Co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck started the ball rolling stating that “Massage always has the potential to go wrong.” This statement comes from a mindset that has trouble separating therapeutic touch and sexuality. Massage therapy is not about sex.
A ‘news’ correspondent responded by saying that “Nothing good happens after the first hour of a massage.” Again there is the implied connection between massage and sex, along with the thought that the longer you have contact with someone the more sketchy and potentially dangerous that professional relationship is. I find this a sad thing to think. Hour long sessions are a often a norm among massage therapists because they fit neatly into many schedules. However 90 minute sessions or longer are also quite common, because every client has their own needs and there is only so much that can fit into an hour.
At this point another commentator tried to throw in his two cents, possibly calling the previous statements into question. But we may never know because Hasselbeck launched into a story of trying to treat a significant other to a massage. This is a wonderful gift to give, but she made the mistake of not doing any research and not considering her own feelings. She “ordered” a massage from an Athletic Massage company (as the recipient was an athlete) and then felt resentful when as she put it: “a hot chick” arrived to perform the massage. If you are looking to give the gift of massage, please take the time to find a therapist who you feel is right. In the case of a gift for a significant other, listen to your own feelings around someone else having contact with them. Is there fear or jealousy? Is there some nebulous worry that you can not put a finger on? If so you may wish to talk to a massage therapist about these feelings. Again, find the right therapist for you.
The segment concludes shortly after, but not before implying a connection between massage therapy and prostitution. Massage therapists have worked long and hard to extract their healing work from this old entanglement, and it helps no one to have harmful stereotypes reinforced by TV personalities. Possibly the saddest thing about this clip is that the hosts of a female centric show completely pass up the opportunity to defend against harassment. Sexual harassment is a very real danger for massage therapists, and only through education can we move away from the misconception of sexual massage.
Since this segment aired, several thousand massage therapists world wide and the American Massage Therapy Association have asked ABC and “The View” for an apology, but have yet to receive one.
