Some of them would marry and have children. Some of them would be unfaithfull or abusers. That reality exist, even if it is uncomfortable.
People act different when they only wish, than when they think you should catter to them. The same way that someone who wish a raise at work acts different than someone who thinks that they deserve a raise act different, the men who think women owe men and should be more submisive, act different.
We can tell the difference because we do live through that. I guess that if you want a taste, you can create a female character at a videogame, act exactly the same you act as a man. Not a single change except letting them think you are a woman. And then compare how people treat you compared to how they treat you when they think you are a man. Same behaviour, different reactions and treatment.
Catcallers get approval from their peers and yes, many times, they only do that when in a group. The same man would act different when alone. Sometimes they can even tell you, that you shouldn't hold how we acted in a group against them since "it doesn't count". Much in the same way we aren't supposed to take into account "locker room talk" and other shit.
Your description about causing distress intentionally to get revenge for being denied the attention they want describes what entitlement is. After all, many people want a million dollars and are denied it by the banks. Yet it would be considered illegal to intentionally cause distress to bank owners as a revenge for not getting the money we want. Yes, even if people only shout at them... So why catcalling is acceptable while harashing bankers is not?
Even the way it is expressed "being denied" shows entitlement because it implies being owed. And we owe them nothing. They are literally extrangers. So why are we expected to put up with that?
I've never meet someone who has get a date by catcalling. But I've meet several men who find it fun. And that brag with other men about who are the one who get the most reactions from women. So yes, it is telling about their real aim.
