I find this a most interesting topic. There are several layers discussed which pinpoint current cultural issues, the impact of “PC” thought as it relates to how we view women and even the good ole days when a Whistle was really just a whistled compliment.
How the whistled started is not how it is interpreted current day. It was at the time used to get all hands on deck to eyes forward. Moved into the civilian world was used to notify other men of an attractive women passing by. Because I am of the baby boomer era, I liken a whistle to an Andy Griffith…"oh that’s gooOOD Aunt Bea. It’s a compliment, an acknowledgement of statute and beauty. Shallow thinking perhaps, but since I have not heard the whistle outside our circle in a very long time I had no need to delve deeper.
Move forward a couple generations to the era of The Women’s Rights Movement, men and women challenging and confronting sexual stereotypes and roles and sensitivity training toward understanding the impact of sexualization of women in the workplace and society begins incorporating and understanding the impact of objectification of women at many levels but most importantly at the white collar corporate level.
Move forward again a couple generations to the 80/90’s. New guidelines for sexual harassment, Tail Hook, Clinton and again objectification of women is spotlighted, confronted and understood at a deeper level. Think how many societal roles changed from the Ozzie and Harriet days to Geraldine Ferraro and Sally Ride. As a friend recently stated…"In the corporate world only a dumbass would comment on how a woman is dressed no matter how benign the comment might be. In contrast, look how easily those words benign or not were spoken just 40 years earlier.
Current day beyond all the role changes, what changes have occurred at the blue collar level? Back in the day it was journeyman level carpenters, plumbers, iron workers etc. who like women of that time were subject to their own cultural roles and codes of conduct. When I think of the Wolf Whistle, which is the image that comes to my mind. A bunch of blue collar workers on a job site during lunch break acknowledging the passing by of ultra-beauty. But I admit that is an archaic and worn out stereotype. The professional construction unions have for the most part been dismantled and if not that are a shell of what they once were. Now at lunch time where journeyman once ruled reside contract piece meal nonunion workers who by their own standard carry a different cultural view, including their views on women. But this new nonunion worker is not just construction specific related as I think the trend that occurred in construction has moved into the teamsters, the retail union, the garment industry and on and on.
So I am left with this thought. White collar workers have been educated Ad Nauseum. They understand their professional roles in all aspects and if they stray, there is punishment. On a professional campus during lunch where men and women move to and fro, if I listened carefully enough would I hear the faintest sound of Wolf Whistle? I am gonna go out on a limb and say no.
Move from a professional campus to any street where white and blue collar workers mingle during lunch time. Would I hear a Wolf Whistle and if I did, which colored collar would deliver it? Same limb, different question, my bet would be on the blue collar.
All this and I have not even touched on all the categories of the Wolf Whistler. There are the pervs, the creepers, the low lives, the would be predators, all with their own sub category and definition. The guys fall not only into the Wolf Whistler but also the Cat Caller. With these guys the whistle is foreplay for no matter how the woman responds, they will respond in an intimidating manner. Must rest now 