Chapter 18 Sex For Sale

Defining Pornography Written, visual, or spoken material depicting sexual activity or genital exposure; intended to arouse Categories of pornography Degrading pornography; violent pornography Straight, gay, and lesbian pornography Child pornography

Pornography vs. Erotica Depictions of sexuality which display mutuality, respect, affection, and balance of power Can be soft- or hard-core More common with women’s involvement in production of sexually explicit materials

Pornography Historical Overview Prehistoric cave drawings depict sexual activity Emergence of Christianity; restrictive attitudes toward sexuality Comstock Act Publication of print material, movies, etc. Internet Free speech versus censorship

What Constitutes Obscenity? U.S. Supreme Court Criteria Appeals to prurient interest in sex Patently offensive to contemporary community standards Without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value

Pornography Freedom of Speech Versus Censorship 1970: Commission on Obscenity and Pornography recommended repeal of all adult pornography laws 1986: Meese Commission recommended vigorous prosecution of obscenity

Sexually Explicit Materials: Helpful or Harmful? Helpful: sexual stimulation without risk of pregnancy or STI; provides fantasy material; can even out differences in frequency of interest between partners Hurtful: less satisfied with physical appeal and sexual performance of partners; Internet pornography Portrayal of sexuality: stresses male penile performance; perpetuates gender role stereotypes

Prostitution Exchange of money for sexual services Long history of prostitution; tolerated and even valued Sex workers The Internet and sex workers

Prostitution and Sex Work Why Women and Men Become Sex Workers Primarily economic Combination of psychological, social, and environmental factors Homelessness, traumatic childhood Can be a matter of personal choice and sense of power and control

Personal Costs of Sex Work Physical and mental health problems due to violence, chronic stress, and STIs 2/3 meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD

Prostitution and the Law Reasons for Criminalization Reduces number of prostitutes Easier to enforce restrictions Regulates public morality Reasons against Criminalization Effective restriction is difficult Encourages organized crime Hampers rehabilitation Discrimination in enforcement