Prostitution and Pornography
Overview: This lesson explores the commodification of sex through prostitution and pornography. It introduces legal, social, and feminist debates, alongside demographic trends and typologies.
Key Terms
- Prostitute – Someone who engages in sex for money.
- Hustler – Term used for male prostitutes.
- Sex trader – Anyone who exchanges sex for goods or services.
- Sex worker – Broad term including strippers, phone sex operators, and more.
Decline of Prostitution
- Major decline since the 1960s sexual revolution and access to contraception.
- Fewer college-educated men seek prostitutes; only 1.5% of men born 1968–74 lost virginity to one (vs. 7% in 1930s).
- Increased employment options for women reduce financial need for sex work.
Demographics
- Most prostitutes are women.
- San Francisco: ~20–30% male prostitutes, ~25% are trans women.
- Only legal in 11 rural counties of Nevada; illegal nationwide otherwise.
Hierarchy of Prostitution
- Street Prostitution: Lowest status. Associated with high risk (STDs, violence). Most common among mothers, minorities, and disadvantaged women. (Raphael, 2004; Dalla, 2000; Weinberg et al., 1999)
- Massage Parlors & Strip Joints: More secure but still under police scrutiny. Hand-genital contact is common.
- Escort Services: Highest earning, off-street, includes “top-end” escorts who may charge thousands/hour and be multilingual or college-educated. (Clarke, 2007)
Sex Trafficking & Tourism
- Sex trafficking = transport for sex work, domestic and international.
- Sex tourism = traveling to access prostitution (often in poorer countries).
Prostitution Perspectives
- Moral/Religious: Opposed on grounds of immorality.
- Feminist: Prostitution is exploitation by men. (Bindel, 2006)
- Human Rights (GAATW): Economic empowerment through self-determined migration for sex work.
- Libertarian: Government should not interfere in consensual adult exchanges.
- Nordic Model: Illegal to buy sex, legal to sell it—shifts blame to buyers.
Pornography
Definition: Depictions of sexual content for arousal (LeVay et al., 2015).
- Massive industry: multibillion-dollar sector.
- Gender gap: Primarily created/consumed by heterosexual men; women’s porn tends to be relationship-oriented and less explicit.
Pornography Law
- Guided by Miller v. California (1973).
- No First Amendment protection.
- Restrictions apply to minors, depictions of minors, or simulated content.
Perspectives on Porn
- Liberal: Promotes sexual exploration and lowers sex crimes.
- Religious conservatives: Degrades morals and family values.
- Radical feminists: Dehumanizes women and incites violence. (Russell, 1994)
Summary
- Three-tiered prostitution model: street ? parlor/strip ? escort.
- Major global concerns over sex trafficking.
- Porn law is complex and debated; feminists and libertarians have opposing views.