A trending hashtag has sparked a wave of women sharing their experiences with catcalling, highlighting that this unsettling issue often begins at a surprisingly young age.
The hashtag “#FirstTimeIWasCatcalled” was initiated by writer Emma Turner after she came across an interview with child star Mia Johnson, who recounted her first experience with catcalling at just 12 years old. Mia shared, “I was at a movie with a friend, and we were both dressed up. We were waiting outside for my dad to pick us up when a grown man approached us and asked if we needed a ride. I was only 12, and my friend was 15. I often saw other girls being catcalled, but I had never experienced it myself until that moment. It felt surreal.”
Inspired by Mia’s words, Emma decided to share her own story of being catcalled at 16 by two adult men while on her way to school. “I can still recall the intense shame I felt as their eyes scrutinized me,” she expressed. Emma launched the hashtag to find out if other women had similar experiences and feelings about their first encounters with catcalling.
A quick look at the hashtag on social media reveals a troubling reality, with numerous women recounting their first experiences with catcalling as young as seven or eight. For instance, one woman shared a story from her childhood in sixth grade when she was assigned a locker near an older boy who subjected her to inappropriate questions daily. This experience left her feeling anxious and ashamed, making her realize that such harassment could happen to her own daughter far sooner than she would like to admit.
According to a study by Hollaback and Cornell University, a staggering 85% of women in the U.S. experience street harassment before they turn 17, with 67% reporting it before age 14. Emma highlights in her writing that “many women face this harassment at such a young age that it becomes an unfortunate rite of passage.” This reality is completely unacceptable.
As parents, it’s difficult to accept that our daughters may face such harassment. However, these stories underscore the importance of open conversations between parents and their children. We must educate boys about why this behavior is wrong and reassure our daughters that if they do encounter such situations, it is never their fault. Empowering our kids with knowledge will hopefully prevent them from feeling the confusion and shame many of us experienced.
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In summary, the #FirstTimeIWasCatcalled hashtag sheds light on the unsettling reality that many girls experience catcalling at an alarmingly young age. These shared experiences highlight the urgent need for conversations about harassment and empowerment among the younger generation.