073 – No Excuse For Catcalling - a podcast by Alf Herigstad

http://www.beingabettermanpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/IMG_0836.jpg ()


NO EXCUSE FOR CATCALLING!Today’s episode is inspired by an article I read recently that was about catcalling, and how there are a faction of men who defend catcalling…as though they have some sort of right to hurl insults and sexually suggestive phrases to women on the street with whom they have no familiarity.

Here is  the article http://www.dailydot.com/irl/men-defend-catcalling/?fb=dd (http://www.dailydot.com/irl/men-defend-catcalling/?fb=dd)  basically…a woman made a post on twitter about cat-calling and then a bunch of men started tweeting their outrage at her post and were defending the time honored tradition of cat-calling.Ok…really?  Is this really a thing?  Growing up in rural America as I did, being raised with a natural respect and reverence for females I always thought that cat-calling as it is described in this article was just something they did in movies to make some men appear like complete morons. Now I have to acknowledge that I’m a little out of touch, because there are men who actually partake in, and defend this behavior.

So what is Catcalling exactly?  My definition is that It is an unprovoked loud whistle,  a comment, or gesture usually of a sexual nature directed toward a stranger, typically a woman who is out in public minding her own business.Hmmm…when put that way it sounds like plain old harassment doesn’t it?  That’s because that’s exactly what it is.

Apparently, the men who defend this indefensible behavior are unable to make the distinction between catcalling and merely talking to a stranger.  They act as though if you take away their ability to catcall that they will never be able to interact with another woman…as though this is the only means in their tiny little brains they can come up with to communicate with the opposite sex.This isn’t rocket science guys…Yelling at a woman you don’t know on the other side of the street is not talking.  Expressing your admiration of a strange woman’s body parts…is not having a conversation.  Describing what you would like to do to a strange woman…is not talking…no, what it is, is a type of verbal rape. 

Some guys defending this behavior said “what, I can’t say hello to a woman anymore?” Well…there is a big difference between saying “hello” as you pass, or saying “hellooooooo” as he stops and looks the woman up and down.  One is talking and one is harassment, can you tell the difference?  It’s kind of like the difference between actually being part of the human race or being a Neanderthal. 

Then there is another problem that arises; women say that when they are catcalled if they respond in a disapproving manner, that they are attacked verbally or physically for not being friendly towards the cat-caller.  These men deal with deserved rejection by lashing out and calling the woman names, as though they expect every woman they meet to be enchanted by them regardless of how rude they are…WHAT?  This all sounds crazy to me and it makes me a little angry. The article stated that women have been physically injured or killed for not responding favorably to a rude catcall.  Unbelievable.

I realize that the vast majority of men listening to this program are not out catcalling women…at least I hope you aren’t.  I like to think that if you are interested in being a better man that you would have already evolved beyond this point.  But…it’s still an important topic and something to be aware of because the men doing this are recognized by society as men, and you are a man, I’m a man, so in some way as men we are all guilty by association.That’s why it’s so important that good men are seen, that good men stand up and speak out against behavior like this.

I have a confession;  I can’t remember actually ever witnessing a woman being catcalled.  I know this because if I saw a man treating a woman this way I would immediately confront the man and...

Further episodes of Being A Better Man

Further podcasts by Alf Herigstad

Website of Alf Herigstad