“A further education college is having to protect builders from wolf-whistling girls, in a reversal of traditional gender stereotypes. Officials at West Kent College in Tonbridge, Kent, sent an email to all pupils warning that the behaviour was ‘totally unacceptable’, and saying any students caught harassing contractors would face disciplinary action. The email was sent after a demolition team started work on a £94 million, three-year building project at the campus. The email read: ‘It has come to the attention of the college that some female students have been making comments to, or whistling at, the builders both whilst on site and as they walk around the campus. Although we are sure no offence is meant, this constitutes harassment and is wholly unacceptable. We have asked the contractors’ representative to pass on all instances of harassment to the college and we will take appropriate action which may include disciplinary action.’ A spokeswoman for the contractors, Galliford Try, said: ‘We have no registered complaints on this issue. However we do not condone inappropriate behaviour from any parties on our sites.’ Meanwhile new laws could see wolf-whistling builders placed on the sex offenders register. The Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill will create a new offence of ‘communicating indecently’, punishable by up to 10 years in jail. The legislation is intended to punish sexual harassment by text, emails and letters, but ministers also aim to include sexually explicit comments to strangers. It is expected that the law would only apply to persistent offenders.” — Telegraph (UK)

(Thanks to “Chris Finch” for the link.)

Men invariably have a difficult time understanding why women object to wolf whistles, catcalls, and the like. They don’t usually mean to humiliate or to embarrass but to flatter. And while sometimes a woman takes it as flattery, perhaps even tossing off a sharp comment in return, most women harden their faces and quicken their step. For them, these catcalls are basically spam of a uniquely personal nature. Imagine if you men were to receive unsolicited commercial emails that commented on your body parts… “Hey Fred, how’re the nuts hanging? Hey Fred, how’s the crotch rot? Hey Fred, gettin’ any?”

Because there is this deep divide on the issue, you would imagine that a bit of turnabout would go a long way toward promoting mutual understanding. Probably a few girls at West Kent College were subject to comments and decided to turn the tables — show the men how it feels to be singled out and reduced to a sex object. Of course, the only problem is that none of the workers are complaining. They’re probably loving it. (”Hey baby, you like that? How ’bout I come over and show you more?”)

It’s hard to imagine why anyone would get bothered about this reverse harassment. Most men would probably laugh it off. Most women would probably enjoy the thought of these sassy college girls one-upping the catcalling men. According to a “college insider” quoted by the Mirror, only one person — “one overzealous member of staff” — is complaining about it. Perhaps he or she is afraid that the thing will escalate into a full-blown riot of catcalling. Or that it will spread across England and soon no lad will be able to hammer a nail without cheeky chicks chiding him on his chest hair.

You ever hear of Sadie Hawkins Day? Maybe something similar should get started for catcalling. There should be one day a year when women go around the streets acting like men — whistling at cute boys, peeing against buildings, spitting, scratching their crotches, pinching butts… At best it might help both parties to understand what this minor form of sexual aggression is all about. And if not that, it will at least be fun.

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