The Problematic Nature of Catcalling
Catcalling is a form of street harassment that primarily affects women across all nations. It is any form of verbal harassment to another person in public. Current laws have been changed in France regarding street harassment, with offenders receiving fines on the spot for up to 750 Euros ($1206 AUD). The legislation followed the circulation of a video where, after a street harasser was told to ‘shut up’ after catcalling a woman, he reacted by physically attacking the victim. The flimsy opposition to the amendment is that the ideal of French lovers will be destroyed, an ideal unrelated to the sexual harassment occurring in public. Street harassment is not a new phenomenon, but only recently have legislators have taken action.
Other countries like Belgium, Portugal, New Zealand and some states in the US are up to date with street harassment laws. Countries like Argentina who experience high rates of femicide (gendered murder of women), have tried to address severe killing rates without considering smaller offences like street harassment as a way to change perspectives about women. In creating legislation against catcalling, the government would be indicating that women’s bodies are not on display for a man’s interest. This would encourage men not to consider women as an accessory for their pleasure, but instead, see them as autonomous humans who deserve the right to coexist without gendered targeting of any kind.
Catcalling goes beyond causing discomfort to the victim; it amplifies the idea that anyone can comment on women’s bodies. Further, ignoring the prevalence of catcalling reinforces the importance placed on female appearances. Catcalling is directly linked to female objectification, which demonstrate to generations of women that their appearance is only validated by a man’s opinion of it. The Stop Street Harassment organisation conducted a survey in the US in 2007 in which 90% of respondents (men and women) had been harassed more than once, with higher than 65% being harassed at least monthly. Catcalling has a place in the deepest roots of sexism and yet is not prioritised as a problem within society.
Emotional labour is where someone has to endure an event that uses a lot of emotional strength/work. This is especially common with women experiencing a confronting or uncomfortable situation. Catcalling creates significant emotional labour for victims. On some occasions the catcaller will ask the victim to smile and if they don’t, they face verbal or even physical abuse. Catcalling can make an individual exhausted from being witness to something degrading and still having to plaster on a stoic façade.
Theft is defined as stealing something from someone without their consent; therefore, a catcaller (mostly men) taking up the time and emotional labour of a women through catcalling, is also a thief. This event can be stuck on a woman’s mind for days after and can be the cause of feelings of insecurity and embarrassment.
As many of readers will understand, there is no privacy in the experience. For me personally, it makes me furious. Having the realisation that men believe they are justified to use up my time and emotional labour when they comment on my appearance, is infuriating. Of course, there are many experiences only women face that are emotionally draining, and ignoring them is not the way to progress in society. Street harassment is the suppression of women at its most pure and is distressingly common.
Street harassment is part of a larger problem; supressing and sexualising women for the comfort of a man. It is entirely archaic and emotionally fatiguing, and therefore in dire need of tougher legislation. There are some countries which have adapted to this issue, recognising the everyday struggles of women. Many, however, have not and are therefore permitting the objectification of women.
By: Esther David
References
https://www.vogue.com/article/france-outlaws-catcalling-street-harassment-illegal
https://nylon.com/articles/france-law-catcalling-illegal
http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/resources/statistics/sshstudies/
https://www.complex.com/life/2016/01/international-catcalling-policies/united-states
https://www.feministcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StopStreeHarassment-600x400.jpg
http://www.gurl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/catcall-street-harassment.jpg
Catcalling goes beyond causing discomfort to the victim; it amplifies the idea that anyone can comment on women’s bodies. Further, ignoring the prevalence of catcalling reinforces the importance placed on female appearances. Catcalling is directly linked to female objectification, which demonstrate to generations of women that their appearance is only validated by a man’s opinion of it. The Stop Street Harassment organisation conducted a survey in the US in 2007 in which 90% of respondents (men and women) had been harassed more than once, with higher than 65% being harassed at least monthly. Catcalling has a place in the deepest roots of sexism and yet is not prioritised as a problem within society.
Emotional labour is where someone has to endure an event that uses a lot of emotional strength/work. This is especially common with women experiencing a confronting or uncomfortable situation. Catcalling creates significant emotional labour for victims. On some occasions the catcaller will ask the victim to smile and if they don’t, they face verbal or even physical abuse. Catcalling can make an individual exhausted from being witness to something degrading and still having to plaster on a stoic façade.
Theft is defined as stealing something from someone without their consent; therefore, a catcaller (mostly men) taking up the time and emotional labour of a women through catcalling, is also a thief. This event can be stuck on a woman’s mind for days after and can be the cause of feelings of insecurity and embarrassment.
As many of readers will understand, there is no privacy in the experience. For me personally, it makes me furious. Having the realisation that men believe they are justified to use up my time and emotional labour when they comment on my appearance, is infuriating. Of course, there are many experiences only women face that are emotionally draining, and ignoring them is not the way to progress in society. Street harassment is the suppression of women at its most pure and is distressingly common.
Street harassment is part of a larger problem; supressing and sexualising women for the comfort of a man. It is entirely archaic and emotionally fatiguing, and therefore in dire need of tougher legislation. There are some countries which have adapted to this issue, recognising the everyday struggles of women. Many, however, have not and are therefore permitting the objectification of women.
By: Esther David
References
https://www.vogue.com/article/france-outlaws-catcalling-street-harassment-illegal
https://nylon.com/articles/france-law-catcalling-illegal
http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/resources/statistics/sshstudies/
https://www.complex.com/life/2016/01/international-catcalling-policies/united-states
https://www.feministcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StopStreeHarassment-600x400.jpg
http://www.gurl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/catcall-street-harassment.jpg
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