I think the only time I cat-called women was when I was 10yo while playing football (soccer) in the neighborhood. The girls (~15yo I'd guess) looked back and I went red as a tomato in embarrassment.

Fast forward some years later, when I had long hairs, as I was arriving at school, someone horned at me and cat-called me. I turned around the the pair of idiots saw that I was a dude. They didn't speed up and I felt that, were I smaller or had a more meek outlook, they would call me gay, sissy, etc, before moving on.

So, it feels like cat calling is a power play against the target.

I do wish people could be honest about what they think, but in a civilized manner. I wish I could just tell a girl or woman I find her pretty without coming off as a creep, weirdo or flirty.