Which of the following best describes sexual harassment?

The best description of sexual harassment is the option that refers to deliberate, repeated, and unwelcome comments or contacts of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment involves behavior that creates a hostile or intimidating environment, making the recipient uncomfortable or threatened. This includes actions that are not merely innocent or casual but are persistent and unwanted, which can encompass comments, gestures, or physical contact that have a sexual connotation.

In contrast to the other options, which involve behaviors that may not necessarily cross the line into harassment, the correct option highlights the importance of intention, repetition, and the lack of consent. Light-hearted jokes in casual settings, discussions about general relationships, and innocent touches among friends do not meet the criteria of being deliberate or repeated in a manner that is unwelcome. Therefore, they do not qualify as sexual harassment, which is defined by the impact of the behavior on the recipient rather than the intent of the person engaging in the behavior.