• 23
  • September
    2010

To many people, mostly men, whistling or catcalling after women on the street and in other places seems pretty harmless. In movies, television shows and even cartoons, it is often portrayed in a light manner and rarely comes across as malicious. Very rarely is it ever looked at as an instance of sexual harassment.

However, as Holly Kearl writes for The Guardian, cat calling is anything but welcome to most of the women who are subjected to it.

The big story behind this, of course, is the case of TV Azteca reporter Ines Sainz and her experience in the New York Jets locker room following a game. Subjected to whistles and comments from several players, Sainz later claimed that the situation made her feel uncomfortable.

Maybe surprisingly, Kearl states, a large number of bloggers, reporters and other individuals came to the defense of the football players involved in the incident. The usual suspect excuses were all there:

  • Sainz dressed provocatively and was "asking for it"
  • What do you expect in a locker room full of guys? (aka, boys will be boys)
  • It was all in good fun.

In referencing research for her book on the issue of "street harassment," Kearl recalls a study of some 800 women, 94 percent of whom had experienced whistling and catcalling firsthand. She states that "25% felt insulted, 40% felt angry, and 62% felt annoyed" A large number also felt intimidated, more or less so depending on the situation and setting.

For women who experience catcalls, whether in the office or on the street - whether it's to poke fun or attract attention - you don't have to put up with it and shouldn't be expected to. 

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