Although it's difficult to recall the age where this all began for me, I’m sure most girls would agree that it starts young. When you grow up in a town that isn't exactly affluent, it starts especially young. The issue of catcalling will stir up debate among those who do it and those who cringe at this unwanted attention. Men who catcall already feel a sense of entitlement in comparison to men who have a genuine interest in a woman. The problem is when society has difficulty differentiating the two and discredits very real complaints against catcalling to merely someone who can’t take a compliment.

For starters, there is nothing wrong with trying to get to know someone and being respectful about it. If said person fails to share this mutual interest, it should end here, right? Wrong. As someone who has experienced this, I can attest that this form of harassment is so common for women, we begin to normalize it and brush it off arguing that it's “not a big deal.” It’s not a big deal until it is. It’s not a big deal until that guy you were ignoring begins to follow you and can’t take no for an answer. This is a very harsh and brutal reality for women everywhere. I want to be able to wear whatever it is that makes me feel comfortable and confident in my own skin, without being afraid that I’m inviting unwanted attention into my personal space.

SEE ALSO: Men, Your Catcalling Will Never Be A Compliment

You could argue that a woman should simply respond back, tell them she's not interested, but it’s never that easy. It is not uncommon to come across news articles with headlines highlighting violent responses in the face of rejection. Although this is not the case for everyone, these numbers are still staggering and present a trend prevalent enough to keep victims silent instead of reacting with dismissal, much less anger. It’s not a compliment and no girl feels flattered when you yell at her from across the street. In many ways, society has made great advances for women in numerous areas, in other ways we are stuck. The solution can’t be found in more layers of clothing and better protection, but rather through education and a better foundation for respect.