Introduction
Catcalling refers to shouting comments, whistles, or honks directed at strangers in public, often aimed at women. According to an informal study by Stop Street Harassment, 88% of women ages 18 to 24 experienced some form of street harassment at least once.
This article will explore some of the motivating factors behind why some men engage in catcalling despite it being unwelcome, such as: seeking attention and validation, lack of empathy, peer pressure, culture of toxic masculinity, and lack of consequences.
Seeking Attention
One of the primary motivations behind catcalling is the desire for attention and reaction from the target. Research shows that catcallers often view it as a way to get the attention of women and provoke some kind of response, whether positive or negative (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19419899.2021.1909648). The act of catcalling gives the perpetrator a sense of power and control over the situation, as they are imposing their will on the target and disrupting their experience in public space.
Catcalling allows the perpetrator to feel as though they have an effect over the target, and can elicit emotions like discomfort, annoyance, fear or anger. The catcaller is seeking that reaction of being noticed, acknowledged, and having their presence felt, which provides a feeling of dominance and authority (https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-psychology-motivation-of-cat-calling-Is-it-intentionally-disrespectful-or-intended-to-be-taken-positively-What-is-the-perceived-logic-and-reward). By interrupting women’s thoughts and activities in public, catcallers exert influence over them even if just momentarily.
Peer Pressure
One of the key factors that contribute to catcalling is peer pressure and the desire to impress friends or fit in with a group. Studies show that men, especially younger college-aged men, are more likely to engage in catcalling when they are in the company of their male peers. There is often an implicit pressure within male social groups to objectify women verbally as a way of proving one’s masculinity or heterosexuality to the group. As one research paper notes, “Peer pressure and group behaviour are also major influences. One study reports that men attending university are more likely to catcall when accompanied by male friends than when alone” (https://www.talkingmentalhealth.com/post/how-do-we-solve-a-problem-like-catcalling). The desire to show off and gain approval from one’s peers is a major factor driving catcalling in group scenarios.
Relatedly, the mob mentality that can take over in groups of men often leads to objectifying behavior like catcalling, as individual restraint gives way to risky group behavior aimed at bonding or asserting dominance. Researchers note that “when men are in groups, they are more likely to objectify women as a way to bond with their friends and demonstrate their heterosexuality” (https://www.talkingmentalhealth.com/post/how-do-we-solve-a-problem-like-catcalling). The group mentality essentially gives men permission to catcall when ordinarily they might refrain as individuals.
Sexual Objectification
One of the primary reasons why some men catcall is because they view women as sexual objects rather than complete human beings. This mindset leads to the dehumanization of women. Research has found that catcalling encourages self-objectification in women, causing them to see themselves as objects evaluated on the basis of their appearance rather than their intellect or personality (Fisher et al., 2019). By sexually objectifying women through catcalling, some men essentially reduce them to their body parts. Catcalling reflects and reinforces the perception that women exist for men’s sexual pleasure.
The objectification of women through catcalling is a form of dehumanization. When catcalled, women often feel degraded and embarrassed, as if they are public property available for men’s consumption. Catcalling conveys the notion that women’s bodies and appearances are open for commentary and evaluation by men. This denies women’s full humanity and self-determination. Overall, catcalling stems in part from viewing women as objects and property rather than as equal human beings deserving of dignity and respect.
Lack of Empathy
One of the main reasons men catcall is because they lack empathy and fail to consider women’s perspectives. As one Reddit user noted, “It’s not the loneliness that shows they have a lack of empathy. It’s the refusing to understand that catcalling is not welcomed by women” [1]. Men who catcall feel entitled to comment on women’s bodies and appearance without their consent. They don’t take into account how demeaning, threatening, or uncomfortable those comments can be. There is a sense of entitlement behind catcalling that disregards women’s feelings and right to go about their day undisturbed.
This lack of empathy also stems from not seeing women as full human beings. As one psychology article explains, catcalling “is not sexually motivated. Rather, it’s dominance motivated” [2]. Objectifying women and asserting dominance over public spaces are rooted in misogyny and not considering women as equals. Empathy involves being able to relate to other people’s perspectives and emotions. Men who catcall lack that ability when it comes to women.
Validation
Some men catcall to get an ego boost or validation. Catcalling can provide a quick sense of power and importance for men with low self-esteem or feelings of loneliness. A study by Root et al. (2016) found that some men view catcalling as a confidence booster, believing it validates their social status or masculinity (Source). For some, the act of catcalling brings feelings of validation by getting positive reactions or acknowledgment from women, even if the attention is negative (Source). Catcalling may temporarily fill a void for lonely men seeking connection. However, true confidence comes from within and catcalling ultimately objectifies women.
Perceived Compliments
Some men who catcall may genuinely believe they are paying the target a compliment. According to a 2019 study, catcalls can be seen as “aberrant compliments at best.” The intention is to flatter, but catcallers often seem oblivious to the harm they may be causing.
On Reddit, one user argued “I like to compliment women when I find them attractive. Sure, I may whistle or say “Hey beautiful,” but I don’t mean anything threatening by it. I’m just trying to give a compliment.”
However, most women feel degraded and objectified by catcalling. As one Quora user noted, “Catcalling will always be sexual. It is done by men 99% of the time.” The catcaller’s intention may be to flatter, but the impact is often far more harmful.
Culture of Toxic Masculinity
One of the key drivers of catcalling is a culture of toxic masculinity that promotes dominance and aggression as inherent male traits. As described by Terry A. Kupers, toxic masculinity refers to “a constellation of socially regressive male traits that serve to foster domination, the devaluation of women, homophobia and wanton violence.”
Catcalling reflects certain hostile expressions of manhood, where men feel compelled to assert their dominance in public spaces through harassment of women. The act allows men to gain a sense of masculine affirmation by putting down others. As explained by researchers, toxic masculinity is “expressed through domination and control as well as callous and unemotional traits.”
This culture teaches that displays of masculine strength, such as through street harassment, are normal male behaviors. It promotes the objectification of women as conquests and tolerates the dismissal of women’s discomfort. Ultimately, toxic masculinity normalizes the assertion of power over women through acts like catcalling.
Sources:
The Relation between Toxic Masculinity and Sexual Harassment
Cat-Calling Isn’t Cool: One Way Toxic Masculinity Negatively Affects Us All
Lack of Consequences
One reason why some men continue to catcall is that they rarely face consequences for this behavior. Catcalling often occurs in crowded public spaces where the catcaller can remain anonymous and avoid accountability for their actions (source). The catcaller can make inappropriate or offensive comments and quickly blend back into the crowd before the target can respond. This anonymity emboldens some men to catcall without concern for any backlash.
Additionally, catcalling does not carry a strong social stigma in many cultures. Some men see it as harmless fun or flirting rather than harassment. They may catcall to impress their friends without worrying about being socially ostracized. This lack of stigma enables the behavior to persist. Stronger social condemnation and education around the impacts of catcalling could help curb this harassment.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few key reasons men catcall women. Some men catcall to seek attention or validation. Others do it out of peer pressure, lack of empathy, or a misguided view that it’s a compliment. Objectification and toxic masculinity norms also play a role. Going forward, we need education starting from a young age about respect, consent and healthy gender dynamics. Schools and communities can promote that catcalling is unacceptable. We also need to empower women and bystanders to speak up when it happens, and encourage positive masculinity. With a cultural shift, catcalling can become far less common.