<![CDATA[This study aims to examine female students’ interpretations of catcalling and identify the factors contributing to its occurrence in the university environment. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. Informants were selected using snowball sampling, while data were collected through observation and semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing, with data validity strengthened through source triangulation. The findings indicate that female students’ interpretations of catcalling are not uniform. Some informants perceived catcalling as a form of joking or an attempt to seek attention and therefore considered it to have little impact on their daily activities. In contrast, other informants interpreted catcalling as verbal sexual harassment that generated feelings of fear and discomfort and prompted them to modify their behavior when navigating the university environment. These differences in interpretation were influenced by individual experiences, interpretive processes, and the social interactional contexts in which catcalling occurred. Furthermore, catcalling behavior was influenced by perpetrators’ limited understanding of sexual harassment, peer-group influence, and the objectification of women based on their physical appearance. The study demonstrates that the meaning of catcalling is constructed through processes of symbolic interaction. Therefore, strengthening sexual harassment education and fostering a supportive campus culture are essential for creating a safe academic environment free from sexual harassment]]>
Copyrights © 2025
