User:Shannonstewart0062020

=Catcalling=

Catcalling also referred to as Wolf-whistling, Eve-teasing, and Stranger or Street harassment, is generally a gendered interaction between a male and female in a public space. It is where a male makes a statement of power by discussing, analyzing or appraising a women’s body; “catcalls are directed at women as a way to highlight a sexualized part of her body”. They can include both verbal and non-verbal behavior such as whistles, leers, winks, grabs, pinches and remarks. Catcalls are initiated by strangers, “perpetuated by men who are not known to the victims in public domains (such as on the street, in stores, at bars, or on public transportation)”. While public harassment motivated by racism, homophobia and classism are recognized as socially unacceptable behavior; men’s harassment of women motivated by gender and sexism is not. Street harassment is one of the most pervasive forms of gender-based violence and one of the least legislated against,“Catcalls are a frequent way in which women are the targets of sexism within their daily lives”. "Catcalls aren’t compliments. They are pretty strong messages for women. Be pretty. Be sweet. Be submissive…And sometimes, the message is to be afraid. Sometimes catcalls are very real threats to personal safety". Patriarchal social systems ensure that women will occupy a lower power status than men; therefore catcalling is a social phenomena that maintains this group-based hierarchy. The gender binary inscribed by the patriarch places femininity as weak where as masculinity is strong, therefore femininity remains the standard of weakness based on which men and women are taunted, “it is a reminder that as long as the interwoven construction of gender and sexuality are not interrogated in schools, as well as in larger society, there will continue to be repercussions for women as victims of harassment.”. “Women have routinely been punished and intimidated for attempting the most simple of freedoms” like taking a walk in public. Catcalling evidently oppresses women due to the fact that women’s bodies have been constructed as purely sexual things within Western society concerned with controlling women’s sexuality. It is of importance to highlight the problems of public speech and how it is experienced daily because racist and sexist speech creates, reproduces and reinforces existing systems of hierarchy. “Street harassment is a form of sexual harassment that takes place in public spaces. At its core it is a power dynamic that constantly reminds historically subordinated groups (women and LGBTQ folks, for example) of their vulnerability to assault in public spaces. Further, it reinforces the ubiquitous sexual objectification of these groups in everyday life. Street Harassment can be sexist, racist, trans phobic, homophobic, ableist, sizeist and/or classist. It is an expression of the interlocking and overlapping oppressions we face and it functions as a means to silence our voices and keep us in our place

Impact of Catcalling
“Although it is possible that men may intend to make catcall remarks in order to compliment or attract women, researchers have consistently emphasized the derogatory and sexist nature of these comments”. Street harassment is evidently a gateway to physical harassment, as is pictured in the media up to date. Some have argued that catcalling is a form of complimentary and empowerment, it is not, “…self-empowerment means being empowered from within. Not being empowered by others”. A study has proven that “women who are targets of sexism experience outcomes such as increased negative affect and lowered self-esteem…the experience of street harassment is directly related to a greater preoccupation with physical appearance and body shame, and is indirectly related to heightened fears of rape…stranger harassment reduces feelings of safety while walking alone at night, using public transportation etc.”. Specific situations and interactions of sexist remarks may have important implications for how women perceive and react to men in general…”in these situations, women are likely to perceive that men as a group present a threat to women as a group” ”.