Defining Catcalling
Catcalling refers to shouting or making unwelcome and unsolicited comments towards a stranger in a public place. Catcalling often has a sexual connotation and objectifies the recipient of the comments. Examples of catcalling include:
- “Hey beautiful, nice legs!”
- “Looking good, baby!”
- “Smile for me, sweetheart.”
- Whistling at someone walking by.
- Honking a car horn and yelling out the window.
Catcalling frequently targets women, although men can also be recipients. The comments are usually about the target’s appearance or body. Catcalling ranges from passing remarks to sustained, aggressive verbal harassment. It occurs in public spaces like streets, parks, public transit, stores, restaurants, and beaches. Catcalling creates an unwelcome, hostile environment for the person being targeted.
Sources:
Catcalling Definition & Meaning
Catcalling
Defining Barking at Someone
Barking at someone typically refers to speaking to a person in an aggressive, harsh, or confrontational manner. It involves shouting or yelling at someone in an angry or brusque tone. The term likely stems from the idea of a dog barking aggressively at someone.
Some examples of barking at someone include:
- Yelling at a stranger on the street to get their attention in a crude or abrasive way
- A boss shouting criticisms or demands at an employee
- Catcalling by yelling crude remarks at a passerby
- Aggressively shouting insults during an argument
The context and motivation behind barking can vary, from expressing anger to attempting to assert dominance. However, the common thread is an aggressive tone and confrontational manner of speaking to another person.1
Motivations Behind Catcalling
There are a few potential motivations that may factor into why some people choose to catcall others:
Power and Control – Some catcallers may be motivated by a desire to exert power over someone else and make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Catcalling can be an attempt to assert dominance in a public space.1
Seeking Attention – Catcalling could stem from a wish to be noticed and get a response, even if it’s an annoyed or upset reaction. For some, negative attention is better than no attention at all.
Impulse and Habit – Catcalling may be an impulsive behavior for some that they’ve fallen into the habit of doing without much forethought. It can become an automatic response that is difficult to break.
Misguided Complimenting – Some who catcall may think they are complimenting the target and brightening their day. However, they fail to consider how it may actually make the person feel.
Peer Pressure – When done in a group, some may go along with catcalling to avoid ridicule from their friends or to fit in, even if they wouldn’t do it on their own.
Entitlement – Some catcallers may feel entitled to comment on strangers’ appearances and bodies in public spaces. They don’t consider the other person’s consent or discomfort.
Potential Effects of Catcalling
Catcalling can have severe negative consequences for those targeted, as well as wider society. Research indicates it can lead to substantial psychological harm, including feelings of anger, fear, humiliation, anxiety and depression (Fisher, 2017; Garbo, 2021). Victims frequently report feeling objectified, degraded and unsafe. Studies show some women may even experience symptoms similar to PTSD after persistent street harassment (The Teen Magazine, 2022).
Beyond individuals, catcalling helps normalize the objectification of women in public spaces. It reflects and reinforces sexist attitudes in society. Catcalling is an asserted reminder to women that they are vulnerable in public. This can discourage women’s participation in community life and impact their freedom of movement (Garbo, 2021). In this way, catcalling acts as a discriminatory barrier to gender equality.
Comparing Catcalling and Barking
There are some notable similarities and differences between catcalling and barking at someone:
Similarities:
- Both catcalling and barking involve unwanted vocalizations directed at strangers in public places
- They are typically carried out by men toward women
- The intent is often to get the target’s attention in a way that exerts power
- Neither are considered socially acceptable behavior
Differences:
- Catcalling often contains sexual overtones while barking does not
- Barking is generally seen as a form of mocking whereas catcalling aims to flirt or harass
- Catcalling reinforces pre-existing gender power dynamics but barking responds to them as a form of protest
- Legally, catcalling is usually protected free speech but sustained barking could potentially be harassment
In summary, while both involve unwanted vocalizations in public, catcalling aligns with existing gender hierarchies while barking defies them as an act of protest and mockery.
Context and Nuance
When evaluating whether barking at someone constitutes catcalling, it’s important to consider the context and nuance of the situation. As noted in research on interpreting behavior, “This approach emphasizes the importance of context in interpreting behavior and the way in which behavior produces and reproduces organizational structure.”1 The specific circumstances surrounding an instance of barking, including who is involved, what their relationship is, where it occurs, and the intent behind it can shape whether it should be considered catcalling or not.
For example, a dog barking at its owner as a way of getting attention is likely more playful than harassing in nature. However, a stranger shouting “woof woof” at a woman passing by on the street could reasonably be seen as catcalling, depending on the context. The situation, power dynamics between the people involved, and details of the interaction matter greatly when labeling an instance of barking as potential verbal harassment versus more harmless interactions. While any barking or comments directed at strangers should be avoided, there are nuances between isolated, obnoxious behavior and systematic, threatening harassment.
In evaluating barking situations, it’s important to recognize the complexity of human behavior and communication.2 Knee-jerk interpretations often oversimplify ambiguous interactions between unique individuals. While certain types of barking can clearly constitute unwelcome catcalling, context plays a key role in making fair assessments in any gray areas.
Societal Debates
There are differing views in society regarding catcalling and accusations of barking.
Some argue that barking at women should not be categorized as catcalling or harassment, viewing it as harmless flirting or complimentary in intent (source). Others see barking as dehumanizing behavior that contributes to the objectification of women (source).
There are also debates around false accusations of barking. Some believe the term is overused to vilify innocent behaviors, while others argue it accurately captures harassment even if not literal barking noises (source).
These differing viewpoints reflect broader disagreements in society over gender norms, appropriate conduct, and the prevalence of harassment.
Legal Considerations
There are laws in many places that prohibit certain kinds of harassment and disorderly conduct in public spaces. For example, according to Stop Street Harassment, “Many types of street harassment could qualify as disorderly conduct, such as harassers shouting at you, making lewd or sexually explicit comments, making threats, blocking your path, following you, or touching you.”
Some specific laws related to public harassment and disturbing the peace include:
- Disorderly conduct laws in most states prohibit certain behavior that disturbs others in public places.
- Public nuisance laws make it illegal to interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of public spaces.
- Stalking laws in many states prohibit following or harassing someone in a threatening or unsettling manner.
So while the legal definitions vary, many forms of shouting, catcalling, following, or threatening behavior in public could potentially face charges like disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, or harassment. However, enforcement often relies on victims making reports, and police response varies. There are continuing efforts to strengthen relevant laws and their enforcement when it comes to public harassment. Overall, the law provides an avenue to report unacceptable behavior, though broader cultural change is still needed.
Promoting Respect
Catcalling can often stem from underlying issues like sexism, misogyny and lack of empathy. While laws can deter some of this behavior, the most effective way to discourage catcalling is through education and promoting respect from an early age.
Schools should teach about consent, sexual harassment, and how to treat people with dignity. Parents can model and reinforce respectful behavior at home. We need to have open and honest conversations addressing why catcalling happens and the harm it causes.
On an individual level, we can call out inappropriate behavior when we see it and encourage positive interventions like apps where victims can report incidents. Ultimately, the goal should be creating a culture of mutual respect where everyone feels safe in public spaces.
Conclusions
In summary, while catcalling and barking at someone share some superficial similarities, they arise from different motivations and have different impacts. Catcalling is often viewed as an aggressive act of asserting power, whereas barking may come from over-enthusiasm or awkward attempts at social connection. Though both can make targets uncomfortable, catcalling can feel more threatening. Context plays a key role – barking among friends as an inside joke is very different from barking by strangers on the street. There are ongoing societal debates about how to promote mutual respect and prevent harassment, without policing social norms too restrictively. In the end, the golden rule applies – we should treat others as we would want to be treated, with courtesy and compassion.