Catcall: defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a loud whistle or a comment of a sexual nature made by a man to a passing woman.

Catcall: defined by women as an everyday occurrence, often times something that can lead to a dangerous situation especially if by yourself.

The first time I remember being catcalled I was 12. There were some boys at my middle school who thought the best way to get my attention was to ask me if I liked it dirty, and make obscene gestures. Twelve-year-old me was not amused. I was angry and confused, wondering if high school boys were like that too. Flash forward seven years and I’m still getting catcalled, on summer afternoons walking downtown. Except now, instead of being repulsed and filled with the anger of 1,000 souls, I find myself flattered that random men thought I was hot enough to whistle at.

What happened?

I mean, I pride myself on being a raging feminist, a protector and enforcer of women’s rights. I believe part of those rights is to feel safe walking down the street, not having to deal with every Jim, Bob and Tim asking if the carpet matches the drapes. So why do I suddenly feel attractive when men follow me on the sidewalk, and talk about my physical assets? Why do I feel beautiful when a guy tells me what he thinks of my cup size? Have I been brainwashed? Did I fall into a magical world, where crude comments and whistles, and obscene gestures mark the beauty of the fairer sex?

But this isn’t a magical world – it’s reality.

The phrase “boys will be boys” springs to mind, when I think of how we’ve been lead to believe that inappropriate actions and comments made by men are no cause for concern. That these actions and words are now a mark of beauty instead of a mark of indecency. This phrase was used when I complained to one of my teachers. This phrase that’s used when teenagers feel uncomfortable with other classmates. This phrase that moms use when they say to take a can of pepper spray. This phrase used in defense of rapists, because they really are bright young men. These four words hold more power over 51 percent of the population than any other, and somehow along the line we all started to believe in them. We’ve become brainwashed if you will, into believing that this phrase makes everything better. When in reality, it’s used to simultaneously uphold the “boy” in the situation and put down the other person. It’s the ultimate excuse, and the ultimate tool used so women will accept and expect inappropriate behavior.

I don't believe we have to let this stand however. Catcalls and street harassment are a very real threat in society but they can be eliminated if we all agree to stand and say no more. Half the population shouldn't have to live in fear of what can come out of a crude remark. They shouldn't have to keep their keys clenched in between their knuckles like daggers waiting to defend themselves. They shouldn't have to take precautionary measures, because the things they're protecting themselves from shouldn't exist.

I want to be able to tell 12-year-old me that in the future there is nothing like catcalls. That the sexual harassment and degradation of women has been considerably lessened or stopped completely. I'm not able to do that yet. But I hope in 10 years, in 20 years, that I'm able to say those words. Because I don't believe that this is an extreme goal. I believe it's a necessary one.