PREVENTION OF CATCALLING FOR

WOMEN

WRITTEN BY;

CARL JUSTIN M. IBONUA

EIJRON JOSH LABAYOG

1
 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM: RATIONALE AND THE BACKGROUND

Background of the Study

Today, fashion plays an important role in a person’s daily life. As humanity

developed, the practice of clothing and wardrobe also developed. Fashion on our modern

world acts as a form social and cultural expression. Trends of fashion affect the society in

different ways, both having positive as well as negative impacts on people. Its impact exists

among teenagers and every other age group of men and women. Because of its huge role

on society, wardrobe is usually to blame on the act of catcalling.

The act of shouting sexually suggestive threats or derisive comments usually in

public or by the street is referred to as catcalling. While most people often assume that

getting catcalled barely occurs and has insignificant effects on someone’s mental aspect, a

study conducted by the University of Melbourne by Holland and Stratemeyer (2017),

consisting of eighty-one participants says that people who are usually targets of a sexually

objectifying event, gets catcalled once in every two days proving that these instances of

sexual harassment occur more than what most people think and it can negatively impact of

what a person thinks towards self.

Catcalling, unwanted comments, gestures, wolf-whistling, and unwanted touching

of strangers in public areas are considered as street harassment. In Metro Manila alone, a

total of 3,791 cases of street harassment were recorded from the National Capital Region

Police Office in 2018. But that’s just Metro Manila, meanwhile a report consisting of

2
twenty-two countries shows that most people from the 16,607 total respondents,

experienced their first street harassment during puberty at the ages 11 to 17 according to a

research survey conducted by Hollback! and ILR school at Cornell University. Which is

indeed a very alarming age for this kind abusive activity to start, since this is the age group

wherein developmental changes occur that affect the self-consciousness and sensitivity

towards their environment. Pickhardt Ph.D. (2016), a psychologist, stated that the

emotional impact of embarrassment to an adolescent can be intense, because of critical

attention paid to the person’s individuality or inadequacy.

Teenagers’ daily clothing is often cited as the cause of such sexual crimes within

such young ages, but according to Senior Supt. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson at the

bicameral conference committee; “Catcalling and other forms of harassment against

women should not be blamed on their clothing”. Regardless of the reason for catcalling an

individual is, the researchers aim to study if catcalling affects the mode of dressing of senior

high school students, since fashion plays an important role in a teenagers’ everyday life

and because majority of teens have self-conscious personalities that are prone to such

sexual acts.

Statement of the Problem

This study generally aimed to determine the effects of catcalling on the mode of

dressing Senior High School Students of Ilocos Norte National High School.

Specifically, the study sought answers to the following questions:

1. What is your perception about catcalling?

3
 2. What are the factors which make ladies prone to catcalling?

3. What are the effects of catcalling on the wardrobe?

4. What are the ways to keep the ladies from experiencing catcalling?

5. How does senior high school students of Ilocos Norte National High School

cope with being catcalled?

Significance of the Study

This study will benefit the following members of the community:

Students. The study provides new information and awareness towards the effects

and hindrances of catcalling on their mode of dressing

Parents. The study will serve as a foundation for the parents to have knowledge

and initiative to guide their children about catcalling consciousness.

School Administrators. The study will aid as a way to facilitate the school rules

and policies with regards to dress codes.

Teachers. The study will enlighten the teachers to further give awareness to the

students concerning to catcalling.

Researchers. The study will serve as a basis to other interested researchers to

conduct more investigations regarding catcalling.

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

The general intents of the study were to know and explain the effects of catcalling

on the mode of dressing of students. The research sample is composed of forty (40) Senior

4
High School Students of Ilocos Norte National High School who were chosen purposively.

The approach used in this research is naturalistic method since the researcher will carefully

review the data that will be collected to achieve more accurate and precise qualitative

results. The researchers used questionnaires in gathering the data needed for this research

and will not cover other factors that may affect catcalling.

Definition of Terms

To make this study more comprehensive and understandable, the following

operational terms are hereby defined.

Catcalling. The act of shouting, harassing and often sexually suggestive,

threatening, or derisive comments at someone publicly.

Fashion. The style of wearing clothes, accessories and ornaments according to the

ruling trends or one’s own individual.

Mode of Dressing. Arrangement of all outwardly modifications of dressing made

to the body.

Trends. The hip or popular at a certain point in time.

Wardrobe. A person’s entire and daily collection of clothes.

5
 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LEGAL BASIS, LITERATURE AND STUDIES

To further understand what is already known about the effects of catcalling on the

mode of dressing, the review of related bases, literature and studies that have been

conducted in the past, related to this investigation is necessary. This chapter presents the

cited sources showing their bearing and relationship focused on the study.

Related Legal Basis

Republic Act No. 11313 of April 17, 2019 known as Safe Spaces Act, states that

the State is defining gender- based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, online,

workplaces, and educational or training institutions, providing protective measures and

prescribing penalties. Furthermore, Section 11, Article I, delivers that the following acts

are unlawful and shall be penalized as follows:

a.) For acts such as cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling, leering and intrusive gazing,

taunting, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexist

slurs, persistent unwanted comments on one’s appearance, relentless requests for

one’s personal details such as name, contact and social media details or destination,

the use of words, gesture or actions that ridicule on the basis of sex, body of the

offended person; or any touching, pinching or brushing against the genetalia, face,

arms, anus, groin, breasts, inner thighs, buttocks or any part of the victim’s body.

(Retrieved from http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2019/04/17/republic-act-no-

11313/ dr:07/27/19)

6
 This republic act value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect

for human rights. It recognizes that both men and women must have equality, security and

safety not only in private, but also public places wherein catcalling was the only act defined

by the law. Consequent to this, the researchers of this study endeavoured them to possibly

discover solutions regarding the effects of catcalling on the mode of dressing of the victims.

RELATED LITERATURE

In recent years, a largely increasing number was observed among activists, bloggers

and online media outlets have published pieces about street harassment which include

catcalling reflecting on the public’s growing and international anti-street harassment social

movement (Logan, 2015, p.196). More and more attention is being given to the act of

street harassment, which only proves that it is not entirely absent from our society today.

A single anti-street harassment statue cannot eradicate all acts of catcalling which its effects

can disproportionally impact a person (Tran 2015, p.185).

Some women may perceive sexual objectification or other forms of sexualisation

positively because cultural messages teach girls and woman that beauty and attractiveness

are important if one wants to be successful or happy. However, this enjoyment of

sexualisation as a form of false empowerment, given that it was ultimately linked to

negative body image and disordered eating. Thus, the net effects of this type of sexual

objectification still seem to be negative. (Lisa et al. 2013)

Meanwhile, Park (2018) pointed out that those who catcall are using such disrespecting

measures to get power and control from the behavior. In fact, the catcaller is not satisfied

once they gain psychological and emotional control from the act. The act is then completed

7
once they have such superficial mental power. Also, Sheung Lo (2018) claimed that it

doesn’t always have to be abuse. Sometimes a disrespectful statement can be just as

destructive. Not only is catcalling disrespectful, but the fear of what might happen next is

haunting. It turns someone into somebody they don’t like to be and the more society ignore

the problem, the more distrust and distance accumulate every day.

Others responded that catcalling is due to ladies’ physical appearance, sexual desires

of men, sex appeal, color of the skin, weak physical attitude and uneducated catcallers.

Based from the study of Alleaxizon (2016) Some women agree that women should wear

less revealing clothes in order to curb men’s catcalling. With an article saying, “When

women wearing revealing clothes it fuels the desires of some men. These frustrated men

get filled with desire and do an unacceptable crime like harassment, catcalling or maybe

rape.” Previous research has shown that catcalling and sexual harassment has potential

influence on women’s well-being and body image. In the study of Brunswick (2017)

entitled “The Effects of Exposure to Catcalling on Women’s State Self- Objectification and

Body Image,” it was evaluated that the effects were the specific instance of sexual

harassment on the street by strangers. Furthermore, a research published in 2017 found a

direct link between the experience of street harassment and a greater preoccupation with

physical appearance and sex appeal as well as correlating it to heightened fears of rape.

Based on the study of Burnett (2018), the argument rests on the conclusion that women

can dress in a way that causes such a powerful sexual arousal response in a man, he’s

stimulated beyond the limits of his self-control. If the woman made decision to look like

she does, the man didn’t have any choice about becoming so aroused, so the fault lies with

her. Catcalling isn’t just about women being degrades or violated, it’s also about men being

8
insecure about their masculinity and being so caught up in appearing manly in society’s

eyes. Catcalling is a way for men to satisfy the gender expectations of them, to brandish

their masculinity and reinforce their perceived value to society (Shi and Mirafuente, 2016)

According to the study of Dhillon (2014), findings revealed that catcalling and

harassment occurred most often in crowded places and in broad daylight. High levels of

catcalling were attributed to factors like prevalent attitudes toward women and weak

implementation of laws. Participants saw their lives as being restricted in several ways by

the harassment. However, several participants felt that staying quiet allowed perpetuation

of harassment. According to Berg (2016), Even less overt acts of everyday sexism (which

includes catcalling, wolf whistling and other forms of harassment are correlated with PTSD

(Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) among women. The article examined the correlations

between everyday (nonviolent) sexism and the development of trauma symptoms in

women. Results indicated a moderately strong relationship between the experience of

everyday sexism and PTSD.

Based on the study of Fairchild and Rudman (2018), street harassment shares many

common themes with the sexual harassment that happens in other contexts, most

specifically the component of unwanted sexual attention. Likewise, the frequency which

respondents report which they have experienced any kind of sexually objectifying gaze or

unwanted sexual advance including catcalling, in these forms is associated with increased

self- objectification, body shame and psychological distress (Fuller-Tyszkiewicz,2014).

In the study of Davidson et al. (2016), they have documented that stranger harassment,

which in some studies include catcalling and other forms of sexual harassment perpetrated

by strangers is associated with a number of psychological outcomes, including poor body

9
image, symptoms of anxiety nd depression, lower levels of perceived safety, and increased

fear of rape.

RELATED STUDIES

According to the study of Liss et al. (2013), the researcher noted that some women may

perceive sexual objectification or other forms of sexualisation positively because cultural

messages teach girls and woman that beauty and attractiveness are important if one wants

to be successful or happy. However, Liss and colleagues described this enjoyment of

sexualisation as a form of false empowerment, given that it was ultimately still linked to

negative body image and disordered eating. Thus, the net effects of this type of this type

of sexual objectification still seem to be negative.

Based on the results found by Magori (2013), they have concluded that most

incidents of violence took place in broad daylight. Roads and public transport emerged to

be most unsafe. School and college students said that they hesitated to confront perpetrators

due to lack of confidence, or even report incidents at home, for fear of being stopped from

pursuing education.

In the research of Baxi (2014), states that the term “eve-teasing” itself is highly

problematic as it constitutes women as “eves,” temptresses who provoke men, whereas

“teasing” denotes that harassment is viewed as playful. Street harassment causes women

to restrict their time in public places alone, perpetually alert, and change neighborhoods

and jobs.

According to the study of Dhillon (2014), findings revealed that harassment

occurred most often in crowded spots and in broad daylight. High levels of harassment

were attributed to factors like prevalent attitudes toward women and weak implementation

10
of laws. Participants saw their lives as being restricted in several ways by the harassment.

However, several participants felt that stayin quiet allowed perpetuation of harassment.

According to Hitlan (2014), the effects of sexual harassment frequently report on

negative consequences for victims of such harassment. However, given that catcalling is

inherently a public event, the effects of catcalling may be felt by observers. Their sample

of college women in the United States reported observing sexual harassment and

experiencing a negative emotional response.

In the study of Fuller-Tyszkiewicz et al. (2014), the frequency which respondents

report which they have experienced any kind of sexually objectifying gaze or unwanted

sexual advance (including catcalling) in these forms is associated with increased self-

objectification, body shame, and psychological distress

Based on the study of Fairchild (2015), of the more than 12,000 women who

participated in the Violence Against Women, 85% indicated that they had experienced

stranger harassment at some time in their lives, making it far more common than quid pro

quo harassment, which was reported by only 5% of women. Looking more closely at

women’s day-to-day experiences, data from two samples of women recruited on college

campuses and one sample of women recruited via the Internet suggest that 28 to 47% of

women experience unwanted sexual remarks or attention at least once every few days.

Based on the results found by Gardner (2015), the researcher described “civil

inattention” as the way strangers behave toward each other in public, which essentially

means ignoring each other, except for briefly meeting each other’s eyes. An open person

who falls into a category that allows civil inattention to lapse, such as someone who is

11
accompanied by a child. The consequence is that civil inattention becomes an important

defense for women to develop if they are to avoid the intrusive attention of men.

In the conclusion of the study of Chaudoir and Quinn (2016), found that asking

participants to watch a video and imagine themselves as a bystander to an instance of sexual

harassment did not induce negative effect, but did lead to more negative emotions toward

men. These findings suggest that some of the effects of sexual harassment may still be felt

by observers, even if they are not the targets of such harassment.

In the study of Davidson et al. (2016), they have documented that stranger

harassment, which in some studies includes catcalling and other forms of sexual

harassment perpetrated by strangers is associated with a number of negative psychological

outcomes, including poor body image, symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower levels

of perceived safety, and increased fear of rape.

In the research of Lindner et al. (2017), the researchers investigated the effects of

catcalling on women’s state self-objectification. With the researchers’ findings it was

concluded it appeared possible that the impact of exposure to catcalling experiences could

vary depending upon women’s experience with sexualization. Some women find some

degree of sexualization to be flattering,whereas others may be offended.

According to the latest study of Bowman (2018), the findings proposes that it has

been overlooked perhaps because there are no legal recourses it is almost impossible to

catch strangers for harassment if they disappear instantly.

Based on the study of Fairchild and Rudman (2018), street harassment shares many

common themes with the sexual harassment that happens in other contexts, most

12
specifically the component of unwanted sexual attention. To further support his conclusion,

the researchers mentioned:

When a man by words either spoken or by signs and/or by visible representation or

by gesture does any act in public space, or signs, recites or utters any indecent words

or song or ballad in any public place to the annoyance of any women.(p.18)

As the researchers gathered, read and analysed different legal bases, literature and

studies, they have observed that, different effects of catcalling were viewed over the past

years. But as there were bad viewpoints on integrating sexual harassment, specifically,

catcalling, there were ideas that provided the other reasons that may contribute on the mode

of dressing of the participants who was able to experience catcalling. Further with these

factual reports and theses, the researchers were motivated to continue the study in knowing

the effects of catcalling in the mode of dressing of the Senior High School Students.

13
 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter involves the research design, general procedure, sampling procedure,

participants of the study, data gathering instrument, and data analysis that were used in the

study.

Research Design

The study is a qualitative research which aimed to investigate the effects of

catcalling on the mode of dressing of senior high school students. This study served as

guide for the constituents of different groups or organizations, especially senior high school

students, who wants to know the information regarding catcalling.

This type of the study is phenomenology since it involved views, opinions and

attitudes of senior high school students toward a certain topic. With this design, the

researchers were able to analyze, describe and generalize the knowledge and perspective

of the respondents about the effects of catcalling on their mode of dressing.

Data Gathering Procedure

General Procedure

The researchers prepared questions that provided answers to the research

questions. They asked for the permission of the assistant principal to conduct the study

inside the school. The researchers photocopied the data gathering instruments and

distributed to the respondents. They gave the respondents sufficient time to answer the

questions indicated in the data gathering instruments. The researchers collected the data

gathering instruments from the respondents and proceeded to data analysis.

14
 Sampling Procedure

The purposive sampling design was used in the study. The population of Ilocos

Norte National High School specifically the senior high school students were included as

samples. Further, the researchers selected 105 senior high school students as their

respondents which served representatives of the population of the school’s senior high

school students who already experienced catcalling of school year 2019-2020 during the

first semester.

Participants of the study

The researchers selected 105 respondents from Ilocos Norte National High school

School, particularly the senior high school students. Age were not considered in the

selection of the respondents. Their participation contributed to the accomplishment of the

study because their efforts gave rise to the data that the researchers needed.

Data Gathering Instrument

A survey questionnaire containing five (5) open-ended questions were given to the

respondents as the data gathering instrument for the study. The respondents were then

given enough time to accomplish the survey questionnaire.

Data Analysis

In this section, the researchers presented the collected and the collated data which

is mainly the effects of catcalling on the mode of dressing of senior high school students.

The respondents’ answers have been segregated into different parts that answered the

research questions of the study. The responses were analysed and reviewed thoroughly by

the use of thematic approach. The researchers then gathered the important data from the

15
questionnaire that were relevant in answering the research question. After the data were

reviewed and interpreted the summary, conclusions and recommendations were

formulated.

16
 CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS OF DATA

This chapter presents the analysis of the data gathered by the researchers.

The researchers distributed their data gathering instrument which is a survey

questionnaire that consists of five questions. The study was conducted last September 6,

2018, at the Ilocos Norte National High School. The participants of the study were limited

to senior high school students. To identify the respondents, the researchers verbally asked

female students if they were already experienced being catcalled. The total number of

respondents were 105.

Table 1. Views about catcalling.

DOMAIN CORE IDEA CATEGORIES
What is your perception about Views about catcalling 1. “It is a manner of
catcalling? disrespecting an individual”
2. “It is a way of letting the
victim feel unsafe within the
surroundings”
3. “It is an unacceptable and
immoral act”
4. “It is considered to be
harassment approach”
5. “It is a method which
degrades someone’s self-
esteem”
6. “It is a mode of insult to
your own gender”
7. “It is a bad habit
normalized by the society”
8. “It is an expression of
adoring and complementing
someone”
9. “It is a form of gender
based violence”

17
 Table 1 presents the perceptions of SHS students about catcalling. It is seen that

there are various views regarding catcalling and most of the respondents answered that

catcalling is a manner of disrespecting an individual.

There’s neither value nor respect for the people in the receiving end of an acceptable

behaviour. Park (2018) pointed out that those who catcall are using such disrespecting

measures to get power and control from the behaviour. In fact, the catcaller is not satisfied

once they gain psychological and emotional control from the act. The act is then completed

once they have such superficial mental power.Also, Sheung Lo(2018) claimed that it

doesn’t always have to be abuse. Sometimes a disrespectful statement can be just as

destructive. Not only is catcalling disrespectful, but the fear of what might happen next is

haunting. It turns someone into somebody they don’t like to be and the more society ignore

the problem, the more distrust and distance accumulate everyday.

The respondents also answered, “It is a way of letting the victim feel unsafe within

the surroundings.” In other words, if a person had undressed someone in public without

permission, it would immediately feel wrong no matter what the response is. According to

a national survey conducted by the non-profit organization Stop Street Harassment(2017),

its easy to yell something at a woman and then quickly disappear out of view. The

anonymity of existing in a large public space allows street harassers to, well, harass,

without fear of interruption or retribution. What’s more, even if a woman is not actually

physically endangered, it is that potential of endangerment that haunts the victims, causes

anxiety, and makes feel generally afraid to go out alone.

“It is an unacceptable and immoral act,” “It is a form of gender based violence”

and “It is considered to be harassment approach” were also found to be one of their

18
perception towards catcalling. Based on the Republic Act No. 11313 known as Safe Spaces

Act, states that the State is defining gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public

spaces, online, workplaces, and educational or training institutions , providing protective

measures and prescribing penalties. Furthermore, it delivers that the act such as, cursing,

wolf-whistling, catcalling, leering and intrusive gazing are unlawful and shall be penalized.

Others responded that catcalling is a method which degrades someone’s self-

esteem, a mode of insult to your own gender, a bad habit normalized by the society and an

expression of adoring and complementing someone.

Catcalling is not flirtation, nor can it be equated with giving a compliment and

should never be confused with either. It is intended to demean about dominance and

manipulating the power dynamics of patriarchy. At the same time, Catcalling is also

objectifying and consensual that takes power and control about group dynamics (Nagel,

2018)

According to the study of Hitlan (2015), the effects of sexual harassment frequently

report on negative consequences for victims of such harassment. However, given that

catcalling is inherently a public event, the effects of catcalling may be felt by observers.

Their sample of college women in the United States reported observing verbal and sexual

harassment was experiencing a negative emotional response.

Abril (2018), as with the cultural phenomena, its pervasiveness sometimes makes

catcalling difficult to see and acknowledge as potentially dangerous. The things that are

unmarked are the things that lay down the path for the more egregious things that happen.

They are all in the service of culture dominance.

19
 On the other hand, some women may perceive sexual objectification or other forms

of sexualisation positively because cultural messages teach girls and woman that beauty

and attractiveness are important if one wants to be successful or happy. However, this

enjoyment of sexualisation as a form of false empowerment, given that it was ultimately

linked to negative body image and disordered eating. Thus,the net effects of this type of

sexual objectification still seem to be negative. (Liss et al. 2013)

20
Table 2. Factors which make ladies prone to catcalling.
DOMAIN CORE IDEA CATEGORIES
What are the factors which Factors which make ladies 1. Ladies way of dressing
make ladies prone to prone to catcalling 2. Physical appearance
catcalling? 3. Sexual desires of men
4. Sex appeal
5. Color of skin
6. Weak physical attitude
7. Uneducated catcallers

Table 2 shows the factors which make ladies prone to catcalling. It is realized that

there are different aspects which contribute to the topic and most of the respondents

responded that the way of dressing of the ladies is one of the causes why they are prone to

catcalling.

Others responded that catcalling is due to ladies’ physical appearance, sexual

desires of men, sex appeal, color of the skin, weak physical attitude and uneducated

catcallers. Based from the study of Alleaxizon (2016) Some women agree that women

should wear less revealing clothes in order to curb men’s catcalling. With an article saying,

“ When women wearing revealing clothes it fuels the desires of some men. These frustrated

men get filled with desire and do an unacceptable crimes like harassment, catcalling or

maybe rape.”

Based on the study of Burnett (2018), the argument rests on the conclusion that

women can dress in a way that causes such a powerful sexual arousal response in a man,

he’s stimulated beyond the limits of his self-control. If the woman made decision to look

like she does, the man didn’t have any choice about becoming so aroused, so the fault lies

with her.

21
 Previous research has shown that catcalling and sexual harassment has potential

influence on women’s well-being and body image. In the study of Brunswick (2017)

entitled “The Effects of Exposure to Catcalling on Women’s State Self- Objectification and

Body Image,” it was evaluated that the effects was the specific instance of sexual

harassment on the street by strangers. Furthermore, a research published in 2017 found a

direct link between the experience of street harassment and a greater preoccupation with

physical appearance and sex appeal as well as correlating it to heightened fears of rape.

Catcalling isn’t just about women being degrades or violated, its also about men

being insecure about their masculinity and being so caught up in appearing manly in

society’s eyes. Catcalling is a way for men to satisfy the gender expectations of them, to

brandish their masculinity and reinforce their perceived value to society (Shi and

Mirafuente, 2016)

According to the study of Dhillon (2014), findings revealed that catcalling and

harassment occurred most often in crowded places and in broad daylight. High levels of

catcalling were attributed to factors like prevalent attitudes toward women and weak

implementation of laws. Participants saw their lives as being restricted in several ways by

the harassment. However, several participants felt that staying quiet allowed perpetuation

of harassment.

The study produced by research group Promundo and UN Women (2017)

discovered that men who were younger and had more education were likelier to harass

women than older men with less education. Of the 4,830 men and 4937 woman surveyed

researchers found that between thirty-one (31) to sixty-four (64) percent of men said they

had engaged in street harassment including sexual comments, stalking or staring. In

22
addition, from the latest study of Bowman (2018), the findings proposes that it has been

overlooked perhaps because there is no legal recourses, it is possible to catch strangers for

catcalling and other verbal harassment if they disappear instantly.

23
Table 3. Effects of catcalling in the wardrobe.
DOMAIN CORE IDEA CATEGORIES
What are the effects of Effects of catcalling on the 1. “It serves as a hindrance
catcalling on your wardrobe in wearing what they
wardrobe? want”
2. “It roots for letting
someone feel
uncomfortable”
3. “It allows them to
experience low self-
esteem”
4. “It causes trauma”
5. “It lets them become
more self-conscious”
6. “It threatens them
causing to feel unsafe”
7. “It serves as an insult”
8. “It permits them to
question their own
fashion style and worth”
9. “It causes anxiety”
10. “It causes depression”
11. “It causes stress”

Table 3 presents the effects of catcalling in the wardrobe of someone who has

already experienced catcalling. It is comprehended that there are numerous outcomes of

being catcalled and most of the respondents said that it serves as a hindrance in wearing

what they want. Some men have no qualms about demanding that we smile for them on

cue yet believing that ladies are somehow invited their responses because of the way they

dressed or for merely walking in their line of sight, which reasons out the consciousness of

what ladies should and should not be wearing every time they go out of house.(Noire, 2019)

In the findings of O’Leary (2016). It suggests that women are negatively affected

by catcalls as such remarks trigger negative emotions and affective states that impact

women’s emotional health and well-being. The emotions and effective states women

24
identified emphasize women’s desire to minimize the harms catcalling induces as well as

the desire to feely move about a public space without feeling constrained. Most women felt

angry, annoyed, uncomfortable, nervous, and embarrassed. Women conceptualized

catcalling as a primarily negative experience as they associated it with negative emotions

and affective states. Women never described catcalling as complimentary, rather, they

believed that men perceived their own comments to be compliments. Specifically, the data

revealed that women feel their experiences and perceptions of catcalling are discounted

by men and society as catcalling continues to be framed as complimentary.

Men need to understand that street harassment inhibits a person’s mobility and

ability to live a full life. In the study of Haparimwi (2016), People have changed their

routines, hobbies and habits just to accommodate street harassers and that is just not okay.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of people said they had changed the way they dressed of changed

an outfit so they wouldn’t get harassed. Some people feel the need to pay for a gym

membership instead of just running outside for safety reasons. In addition, it can also have

detrimental effects as well. He found out that street harassment like catcalling, is

significantly related to self-objectification, depression, eating disorders, anxiety and a

harder time focusing in school. It can be traumatizing to verbal/sexual assault victims and

can alter a person’s livelihood just because of safety concerns.

Based on other responses, catcalling roots someone to feel uncomfortable towards

their surroundings, whereas in the conclusion of the study of Lindner et al. (2017), after

the researchers investigated the effects of catcalling on women’s state of self-

objectification, Lindner and colleagues found out that it appeared possible that the impact

of exposure to catcalling experiences could vary depending upon women’s experience with

25
sexualisation. Some women find some degree of sexualisation to be flattering, while others

may be feeling uncomfortable which eventually affects their self-esteem.

In the study of Davidson et al. (2016), they have documented that stranger

harassment, which in some studies include catcalling and other forms of sexual harassment

perpetrated by strangers is associated with a number of psychological outcomes, including

poor body image, symptoms of anxiety nd depression, lower levels of perceived safety,

and increased fear of rape.

Likewise, the frequency which respondents report which they have experienced any

kind of sexually objectifying gaze or unwanted sexual advance including catcalling, in

these forms is associated with increased self- objectification, body shame and

psychological distress (Fuller-Tyszkiewicz,2014)

According to Berg (2016), Even less overt acts of everyday sexism (which includes

catcalling, wolf whistling and other forms of harassment are correlated with PTSD (Post-

Traumatic Stress Disorder) among women. The article examined the correlations between

everyday (nonviolent) sexism and the development of trauma symptoms in women. Results

indicated a moderately strong relationship between the experience of everyday sexism and

PTSD.

Based on the study of Fairchild and Rudman (2018), street harassment shares many

common themes with the sexual harassment that happens in other contexts, most

specifically the component of unwanted sexual attention. To further support his conclusion,

the researchers mentioned:

26
 When a man by words either spoken or by signs and/or by visible representation or

by gesture does any act in public space, or signs, recites or utters any indecent words or

song or ballad in any public place to the annoyance of any women.(p.18)

27
Table 4. Ways to keep the ladies from experiencing catcalling.
DOMAIN CORE IDEA CATEGORIES
What are the ways to keep Ways to keep the ladies 1. “By changing the way of
ladies from experiencing from experiencing dressing”
catcalling? catcalling? 2. “By disciplining and not
tolerating the catcallers”
3. “By refraining to go to
places where you know
you can be catcalled”
4. “By confronting the
catcallers”
5. “By being with someone
who can accompany and
secure you”
6. “By avoiding yourself to
go out of the house at
night”
7. “By showing a strong
physical attitude”

Table 4 shows the ways to keep the ladies from experiencing catcalling. It is seen

that there are several methods in letting the ladies from experiencing catcalling and most

of the respondents answered that, it is by changing the way of dressing. Getting unwanted

attention by wearing a dress that’s short automatically makes a person think that the dress

shouldn’t be like that. In the study of Strachan (2016), refusing to change outfit that are

revealing creates an event like having a comment shot from a passing car or from the other

end of the street.

In an article published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in 2016

common sense tells the amount of clothing someone wears cant physically affect their

intellect, but the researcher say the six studies they conducted reveal that taking off a

sweater or otherwise revealing a flesh can significantly change the way a mind is

perceived. Researchers found when a person is more clothed, they are seen as having more

mental agency, when those are shed to feel emotion and sensations was heightened.

28
 Researchers believe that demonstration of reduced neural empathy (tossing a ball

to different actors in a cyber game: “sexualized” women in a dress, high heels and heavy

makeup and a personalized women in jeans, a t-shirt and a light makeup) towards an

objectified woman experiencing social rejection may indicate a possible mechanism behind

the motivation of gender-based violent behaviour. The findings of the study could have

serious implications in real life for those who have been victim blamed.

The respondents also claim that by not tolerating and disciplining the catcallers,

refraining to go to places where you know you can be catcalled, By being with someone

who can accompany and secure you, avoiding yourself to go out of the house at night and

showing a strong physical attitude saves ladies from suffering catcalling.

As a result of catcalling in the sort of street harassment, women modify their

behaviour by wearing headphones, changing how they dress, walking on a different path

or even altering their mode of transportation (Santhanam, 2014)

In the study of Roberts (2018), there rare few strategies that women can use when

street harassment happens. One of the best is to maintain a direct eye contact and a neutral

face with the catcaller. It automatically communicates that the victim is not an object and

uncomfortable feeling occurs.

Verbal harassments from stranger was associated with increased fears about safety

when walking alone at night, using public transport, and walking alone in parking garage.

Therefore a good strategy for preventing such harassments like catcalling and eve-teasing

was to avoid going out alone at night. Interestingly, street harassment occurs mostly at

crowded places and at night, the crowds may be expected to be less. Despite, women are

vulnerable in going out at night especially on their own. It is apparent here that catcalling

29
and other forms of harassment had forced women out of public spaces at least at certain

times and increased their dependence on someone else.(Phadke, 2017)

Based on the study of Danielle (2017), learning how to confront a catcaller allows

them to understand why they shouldn’t catcall. A quick chat to them needs to be part of a

bigger conversation, especially that they are the people who will contribute in shaping you

to become someone that reflects their act. Remembering the fight or flight gives an idea of

saving a victim, away from any verbal harassment from the surroundings.

30
Table 5. Coping strategies of INNHS Senior High School Students with being
catcalled.
DOMAIN CORE IDEA CATEGORIES
How do INNHS Senior Coping strategies of 1. “By ignoring the
High School Students cope INNHS Senior High catcallers”
with being catcalled? School Students with 2. “By wearing the proper
being catcalled dress code”
3. “By disciplining the
catcallers”
4. “By reporting the
catcallers to the
authorized personnel”
5. “By fighting them back”
6. “By joining their vibe”
7. “By having physically
strong attitude”
8. “By allowing your
friends accompany you”
9. “By avoiding yourself to
visit places where you
are prone to be
catcalled”

Table 5 presents the coping strategies of INNHS Senior High School Students with

being catcalled and most of the respondents responded that it is by ignoring the catcallers.

A described “civil inattention’ as the way strangers behave toward each other in public,

which essentially means ignoring each other, except for briefly meeting each other’s eyes.

An open person who falls into a category that allows civil inattention to lapse, such as

someone who is accompanied. The consequence is that civil inattention becomes an

important defense for women to develop if they are to avoid the intrusive attention of men.

The respondents also claim that by wearing the proper dress code, students and

common teenagers can be somehow protected against catcallers. In the study of Manalo et

al ., (2016), women tend to hide themselves inside baggy clothes , wore less to no makeup,

to escape street harassment. It can be indicated that catcalling become a man by means of

31
getting the attention of women in the public places if the woman is attractive and have an

eye-catching clothes. It means that catcalling is only a verbal way of harassment, that’s

why male perpetrators want woman to notice them by just using those unwanted words or

comments. It was the easiest way to call the female even if they were far away.

According to the study of Scharwath (2018), actions can spark so much fear in the

victims and can lead to women handing the control over the harassers, as they were begin

to wear different clothes or they avoiding certain places because of these degrading events.

However, no matter how many times this occurs that it could have had that big impact on

them.

Some respondents also stated that by disciplining the catcallers through

strengthening law enforcement even within the School or any part of an Institution can

become a coping mechanism towards catcallers. According to the Republic Act No. 11313

known as Safe Spaces Act, states that the State is defining gender-based sexual harassment

in streets, public spaces, online, workplaces, and educational or training institutions,

providing protective measures and prescribing penalties. Furthermore, it delivers that the

act such as, cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling, leering and intrusive gazing are unlawful

and shall be penalized

Based on the study of Phadke (2017) Verbal harassments from stranger was

associated with increased fears about safety when walking alone at night, using public

transport, and walking alone in parking garage. Therefore a good strategy for preventing

such harassments like catcalling and eve-teasing was to avoid going out alone at night.

Interestingly, street harassment occurs mostly at crowded places and at night, the crowds

may be expected to be less. Despite, women are vulnerable in going out at night especially

32
on their own. It is apparent here that catcalling and other forms of harassment had forced

women out of public spaces at least at certain times and increased their dependence on

someone else.

Another respondent also said that one of the coping strategies can be fighting them

back and reporting to the authorized personnel. Culturally, men have been indoctrinated

into catcalling, and its been a privilege for them to walk down the street fantasising about

women. Often times it’s not really about women, its just about the men performing

masculine acts for each other and establishing a pecking order amongst themselves. What

is really going on is the dynamic among men, and with that, a certain regulatory laws

concerning such verbal and sexual harassments must be applied through a strong attitude

and consciousness of the victim towards the catcaller. (Pepino, 2017)

33
 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the summary, conclusions, and recommendations that were

formulated based from the gathered data.

Summary

This study generally aimed to investigate the effects of catcalling as an intellectual

response on the mode of dressing of senior high school students.

This qualitative research design made use of survey questionnaires to gather data.

The researchers employed a phenomenology type of study since it involved views,

opinions, and attitudes of SHS students toward a certain topic. Purposive sampling design

was used.

Conclusions

Based on the findings, the researchers concluded 1.) Students recognize catcalling

as a manner of disrespecting an individual; 2.) The most prevalent factor that make ladies

prone to catcalling is their way of dressing and 3.) hindered them in wearing what they

want; 4.) Changing their way of dressing will keep the ladies from experiencing catcalling;

5.) Ilocos Norte National High School Senior High School Students cope with being

catcalled by ignoring the catcallers.

34
 Recommendations

Based on the data gathered in the study, the following recommendations are

presented:

1. The findings of the study should serve as a basis for teachers, parents,

counsellors and schools to guide the students in wearing their proper code of dressing.

2. The school should implement policies that could minimize catcalling

experiences in the said area.

3. Future studies should expand its respondents that will include college students

and ladies outside school area.

4. Senior high school students should apply the findings of this study and further

expand the perceptions of students.

35
LITERATURE CITED

36
 SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

Name (Optional): __________________________ Grade and Section: ______________

Direction: Answer the following questions accordingly, brief and clearly. Use the space
provided for your response.

1. What is your perception about catcalling?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the factors which make ladies prone to catcalling?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3. What are the effects of catcalling on the wardrobe?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

4. What are the ways to keep ladies from experiencing catcalling?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

37
5. How do INNHS Senior High School Students cope with being catcalled?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________
Respondent’s Signature

38