Introduction
Catcalling refers to shouting or making comments of a sexual nature to a stranger in public, typically a woman. Research shows that catcalling is unfortunately very common. Studies have found that 88% of women ages 18-24 and 85% of women under 17 in the US report experiencing street harassment like catcalling. This article explores why some men catcall, the impact it has, and what can be done to create change. The goal is to thoughtfully analyze this complex issue and foster greater empathy and understanding.
Reason 1: Gender Norms
Societal gender norms play a significant role in why some men catcall women. From a young age, boys may be socialized to view women as sexual objects rather than equal humans. Peer pressure also encourages objectifying behavior like catcalling. According to research from the National Institutes of Health, traditional gender norms that link masculinity to sexual dominance contribute to the objectification of women (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6707629/). The same research found that men higher in hostile sexism were more likely to objectify women when prompted by their peers.
Reason 2: Sense of Entitlement
One reason some men engage in catcalling is an underlying sense of entitlement when it comes to women’s attention and bodies. Some men have been socialized with the belief that as men, they are owed access to women’s attention, affection, and bodies [1]. Catcalling can stem from this toxic mindset and serve to publicly lay claim to women’s bodies in public spaces.
This sense of entitlement connects to larger misogynistic attitudes and beliefs that women’s bodies exist for men’s pleasure and consumption. Some men who catcall feel that they have the right to comment on women’s bodies, assess their attractiveness, and demand their attention. This reflects a broader culture of sexism and male entitlement.
When men catcall, they are asserting their perceived right to women’s bodies and attention in public spaces. This infringes on women’s autonomy, dignity, and freedom to simply exist without being objectified. Dismantling these harmful attitudes requires challenging the underlying sexism and sense of entitlement that fuels catcalling.
Reason 3: Lack of Empathy
One reason why some men catcall women is because they lack empathy and are unable to see the situation from the woman’s perspective. Research shows that in general, men tend to have lower levels of empathy compared to women. According to a study by the University of Cambridge, this “empathy gap” emerges early in childhood and widens in adulthood (https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/study-shows-greater-empathy-for-women-over-men).
When a man catcalls a woman, he is often unable to understand how threatening or demeaning it can feel from her perspective. The act of catcalling can be objectifying and dehumanizing, reducing a woman to just her appearance. However, some men lack the empathy to grasp how uncomfortable or unsafe this can make women feel. They are more concerned with their own desires and validation than considering the woman’s emotions.
Building empathy is an important step to stopping catcalling. Efforts that encourage men to imagine how they would feel if strangers commented on their bodies could help increase understanding. Role-playing exercises where men experience public harassment firsthand also provide impactful lessons. Developing empathy remains key to ending the dehumanizing aspects of catcalling.
Reason 4: Validation-Seeking
One reason some men catcall is to get validation and feel dominant or powerful. Often, catcalling stems from insecurity and the need to assert dominance. As psychologist Bonnie Davies explains, many people “look for external authority and validation rather than trusting our own judgement.” Has Catcalling Warped Our Sense Of Self-Worth? Catcalling can provide insecure men an easy albeit inappropriate way to feel in control.
This drive for validation through inappropriate domination relates to toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity refers to harmful cultural norms that equate masculinity with aggression, control, and male dominance over women. Within this mindset, catcalling allows men to feel powerful and dominant in a way that boosts their egos and validates their masculinity. However, this comes at the expense of women’s comfort, safety and dignity.
Impact on Women
Catcalling often makes women feel unsafe, threatened, and objectified. According to a 2017 study published in Psychology of Women Quarterly, women who were subjected to catcalling reported increased self-objectification and body image concerns compared to those who were not catcalled (The Effects of Exposure to Catcalling on Women’s State Self-Objectification and Body Image). The study found that catcalling led women to view themselves more as objects judged on their appearance rather than as whole human beings.
Many women have shared their personal experiences with catcalling and how it made them feel. One woman said, “I felt extremely uncomfortable and unsafe, like I was a piece of meat for their consumption instead of a human being just trying to walk down the street” (How do we solve a problem like catcalling? – Part 1). Another woman recounted, “It made me feel gross and embarrassed. I didn’t know how to respond so I just kept walking and pretended not to hear it, even though it was really upsetting.”
These testimonies demonstrate how catcalling promotes the objectification of women and causes distress. Women deserve to feel safe and respected in public spaces, not sexualized and degraded.
Creating Change
One way to reduce catcalling is to provide better gender education and role models for young boys. Proponents argue that teaching boys from an early age to respect women and view them as equals can help prevent catcalling behaviors in the future. Educational programs and parental guidance focused on empathy, consent and healthy relationships may make boys less likely to objectify girls and women as they grow older.
Advocating for a shift in societal attitudes and norms around gender is another important step. Challenging sexist portrayals of women in media and calling out inappropriate behaviors can slowly change what is considered acceptable. Promoting positive masculinity and redefining “manhood” to focus on kindness and respect rather than aggression or dominance can also have an impact. Ultimately, catcalling stems from pervasive gender stereotypes and norms. Transforming those harmful beliefs at their root may be the most effective path to reducing street harassment over time.
Speaking Up
Bystander intervention can be an effective way for others to speak up against catcalling. Research shows the “bystander effect” often prevents people from intervening, even if they dislike the behavior. However, we can train ourselves to take action when witnessing harassment (Right To Be, n.d.; Bystander Intervention Tips and Strategies, 2018). Here are some constructive ways bystanders can address catcallers:
Walk up to the target of the catcall and start a conversation to help diffuse the situation. Say something like “Hey friend! I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”
Directly address the harasser by saying something like “Come on man, let’s keep it moving” or “Hey, that’s not cool. Leave her alone.” Say it in a calm but assertive tone.
Alert nearby security or authorities about the harassment if available. For example, notify nearby campus security or city police if catcalling occurs in those environments.
Offer to accompany or walk with the target of the catcall to help them get safely away from the harasser.
Document the incident and report harassing behavior to the proper authorities when feasible. For example, taking photos/videos and filing reports with transit security or local police.
Bystander intervention allows others to speak up against catcalling in a constructive manner. With training and practice, we can overcome the bystander effect and take action when witnessing street harassment (Right To Be, n.d.; Bystander Intervention Tips and Strategies, 2018).
Legal Action
Some areas have passed laws against street harassment in an attempt to curb catcalling and harassment. For example, catcalling is illegal in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In California, catcalling falls under disorderly conduct laws and can be considered a misdemeanor offense if it escalates to threats or intentionally alarming behavior (Sacramento Bee).
There are pros and cons to anti-street harassment legislation. On the pro side, it sends a message that catcalling is unacceptable and unlawful. Laws allow victims to report egregious incidents to authorities instead of feeling helpless. It also forces society to confront gender-based street harassment. On the con side, enforcement can be difficult when catcalling often goes unreported. There are also concerns about over-policing and targeting marginalized communities. Some argue education and awareness may be more effective solutions than criminalization.
Ultimately, laws against street harassment recognize catcalling as a public problem rather than a personal one. However, legislation alone cannot eliminate deeply ingrained social norms. Ending catcalling requires broader culture change in how we value and respect one another in public spaces.
Conclusion
Catcalling is a complex issue rooted in multiple factors like gender norms, entitlement, lack of empathy, and seeking validation. Though some may view it as harmless, we’ve explored how catcalling can make women feel objectified, unsafe, and distressed. The impacts are undoubtedly negative.
While changing social norms takes time, progress is being made. More people are speaking up about the harms of catcalling, laws are evolving, and we’re having important conversations on consent and healthy masculinity. Though the road is long, through education and advocacy, we can curb catcalling and build a more just, compassionate society.
The path forward lies in our hands. With empathy, courage and persistence, we can stand up for human dignity, respect, and mutual understanding between all people. Though catcalling has deep roots, they are not impervious to change. By remaining outspoken yet understanding, we can continue driving that change, little by little, day by day.