• About
  • Advertising
  • History
  • Staff
  • Contact

The Andersonian

The Anderson University Student Newspaper

Anderson University’s Student Newspaper

  • Campus News
  • Audio
  • Features
  • Arts & Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Video
  • COVID-19
You are here: Home / Opinion / It’s time to stop: Catcalling culture called out

It’s time to stop: Catcalling culture called out

November 15, 2017 by Guest Writer

Guest Writer: Chandler Clark

Men, I write this letter with the intention of describing a problem with which I hope you

will resonate. Ladies, although my intended audience is men, I encourage you to proceed reading in order that you may verify my words and spread this message.

I want to preface this by acknowledging that what I am about to say will not apply to every man. Please join me in calling out and discouraging the toxic problem I am about to describe.

Let me narrow my intended audience to those of you who 1. shout provocative comments

at women you find attractive, 2. whistle/catcall females while driving, running, walking or working out, 3. conspicuously and unapologetically stare at a woman’s body when she is passing by and 4. go to the gym for the sheer purpose of watching ladies work out.

More specifically, this message is intended for those of you who are promoting and cultivating a culture of fear and intimidation for women when you have been called and commissioned for a higher purpose.

Men, you are getting it wrong. I hear stories far too often of women who experience

sexual harassment on the road, walking to class, at the gym and at their place of work. These women have described circumstances in which a vehicle full of men recklessly swerve around traffic in order to position themselves next to the female’s car and shout objectifying comments from their open windows.

Further, I have heard stories concerning a group of men observing females during their workout routines, pointing and making comments regarding the female’s physical features. Men conducting themselves in this way are emotionally void, narcissistic beings whose animal instincts overcome that of their humanity.

These stories leave me perplexed as to the intentions of those participating in this behavior. Two observations leave me convinced power and insecurity are the motivating factors.

First, each of these examples of sexual harassment involve a group of men acting inappropriately.

I have never heard an example of a single individual behaving in such a way. This highlights an element of cowardice inherent in these individuals who demand strength in numbers in order to compensate for areas of insecurity in other aspects of their lives.

Second, never once have I seen a relationship begin when a man and his friends shamelessly “holla” at a girl in compliment of her physical features.

The results of this behavior have contributed to a culture in which women are objectified, their humanity is overlooked and hidden beneath the cloak of their bodies and the gender power imbalance is perpetuated in both educational and vocational spheres.

In 1 Timothy, Paul encourages his male audience to respect women; he states, “[treat] older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters.”

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul encourages his audience to “abstain from sexual immorality, so that each of you knows how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, not with lustful desires.”

Lastly, men—recognize that women were made in God’s image and are deserving of your respect: “So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female” (Genesis 1:27).

What can we do about this perpetual problem?

First, respect women. Set an example by which women are regarded as more than “eye candy.” Second, rebuke this conduct. If you see anyone participating in this behavior, call them out for their wrongdoings.

Third, draw attention to the issue. Shed light in an area where darkness and ignorance has dampened discourse of the issue.

Finally, spread this message so that it can reach those with whom it is intended to resonate.

Chandler is a senior political science major from Anderson, Indiana.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Opinion

Watch

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Gillian Lintz interviews Dr. Sarah Neal about the current status of COVID-19 on campus and discusses the Boze Lyric Theatre’s upcoming play, “The Drowning Girls.” Mason Fridley provides updates on men’s baseball and men’s tennis standings.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

More Video

Listen

Sky Cramer

In this audio story, Zac Tallent speaks with junior cinema and media arts major Sky Cramer about his passion for film and photography and making the most of his time at AU.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

“Anything Goes” Encore this Saturday, April 23

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Fall Into Dance

Claire Mountcastle speaks with dancers Hannah Frick and Leah Pitman about the upcoming student-choreographed performance, Fall Into Dance.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

The Conspiracy

Claire Mountcastle speaks with senior Melanie Marchena and director of orientation and first-year experience Nii Abrahams about The Conspiracy, a newly-formed community of students created to support AU athletics.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

More Audio

Follow

andersonianAndersonian@andersonian·
5 Apr

Check out the latest episode:
https://andersonian.com/2022/04/05/andersonian-2022-04-04/

Reply on Twitter 1511404967436988434Retweet on Twitter 15114049674369884341Like on Twitter 15114049674369884341Twitter 1511404967436988434
andersonianAndersonian@andersonian·
27 Mar

Student-created Instagram accounts cause controversy on campus.

Read more:

https://andersonian.com/2022/03/27/instagram-accounts-polarize-students%EF%BF%BC/

Reply on Twitter 1508168748573806602Retweet on Twitter 1508168748573806602Like on Twitter 15081687485738066021Twitter 1508168748573806602
andersonianAndersonian@andersonian·
23 Mar

Check out the latest episode!

https://andersonian.com/2022/03/23/andersonian-2022-03-21/

Reply on Twitter 1506671676725022726Retweet on Twitter 15066716767250227261Like on Twitter 15066716767250227261Twitter 1506671676725022726
Load More...

The Andersonian, the student newspaper of Anderson University, Anderson, Ind., publishes a print edition and maintains this website. As a matter of institutional policy, the University administration does not review or edit Andersonian content prior to publication. The student editors are responsible for both print and online content. While the administration recognizes the role of the student press on a college campus and in journalism education, the views expressed in the Andersonian are not necessarily those of Anderson University.

© Andersonian 2017, All rights reserved · Site by Mere
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.