Sex for Sale

Obscenity vs Pornography Supreme Court criteria for obscenity  1.Work as a whole must appear to prurient interest  2.Offensive to contemporary community standards  3.Without serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value Problem - highly subjective

Conflicting studies on the effects of pornography 1970 Commission 1998 Commission Other studies

1970 Commission on Obscenity and Pornography No significant, long-lasting changes in behavior Recommended repeal of all adult pornography laws

1998 Meese Commission Violent porn  Causes sexual aggression  Increases acceptance of rape Nonviolent erotica  Considered destructive of social mores Recommended  Vigorous law enforcement and prosecution of obscenity

Child pornography Internet sting operations are used to locate and arrest child pornographers Computer generated images of children and adults looking like children are both legal.  2002 Supreme Court ruling

Results of other studies When repeatedly exposed to pornography, both sexes became less satisfied with the physical appeal and sexual performance of their partners. Pornography produces unrealistic expectations  Men are always ready for sex  Women are highly responsive to any stimulation by men Where pornography Is easily accessible, sexual crimes tend to be lower

Prostitution

History of prostitution Greece (Hetairas) valued for intellectual companionship Prostitution occurred in religious temples  Kama temples of India  Temple of Aphrodite Considered scandalous but necessary in the Victorian era.

Prostitution Backgrounds of prostitutes  Extremely varied backgrounds and all walks of life  95% of teenage prostitutes have been victims of sexual abuse.  35% of New York streetwalkers have HIV Customers are  Middle-aged, middle-class, married men

Brothel prostitution House where a group of prostitutes work Common in early history of this country  Seattle seamstress  Creek street in Alaska Owners typically collect about 1/2 of the prostitute’s fee Legal in some counties of Nevada Legal in Amsterdam

Decriminalizing prostitution Criminal penalties removes Women could do what they want with their bodies Association with organized crime might be weakened

COYOTE Come Off Your Old Tired Ethics Prostitutes union Goal = political change

Prevention of prostitution United Nations Commission study of prostitution  To prevent prostitution, create other economic opportunities for women.