Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Industry Chapter 7 Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Industry

Sociological Approaches in Studying Deviance Deviance as objectively given: Any person who does not conform to established social norms is deviant. Example: Prostitution and pornography are violations of folkways, mores, or laws Deviance as socially constructed: © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sociological Approaches in Studying Deviance A behavior, belief, or condition is deviant because it is labeled as such. Howard Becker’s (1963) labeling theory contributed to this approach Example: Street prostitutes are more likely labeled deviant than high-priced escorts © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sociological Approaches in Studying Deviance Deviance is rooted in the social structure of society: Behaviors considered immoral, distasteful, or threatening as deviant by those in power Example: Prostitutes are more likely to be punished than their customers © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sexually Deviant Behaviors 4 behaviors identified as sexually deviant: Premarital sex or fornication Extramarital sex or adultery Promiscuous sex Underage sex or statutory rape © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Global Perspective Prostitution: The sale of sexual services for money or goods without emotional attachment Referred to as “world’s oldest profession” Prostitution has become a global sex industry © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Global Perspective Businesses benefit economically from the global sex industry Demand greatest when large numbers of men are congregated for extended time (military) In poorest countries women and children are often sold into the sex trade © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Health Aspects of Prostitution for Women Many woman see prostitution as a job or way to make money: But it is very hazardous to their health Problems associated with prostitution: Physical Violence © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Health Aspects of Prostitution for Women Bruises Broken bones Black Eyes Health Risks HIV/AIDs or other STDS Pelvic Inflammatory Disease © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Health Aspects of Prostitution for Women Pregnancy related issues Emotional Health Combat disorder Depression Drug or Alcohol Abuse © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Levels of Prostitution Escorts Call Girls/Boys Hustlers, Strippers, and Table Dancers House Girls Street Walkers Drug Addicts © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Age, Class, and Race Age: Social Class: Race: Most prostitutes usually between 17 and 24 Social Class: Lower income and poverty-level women and men are more likely to enter into prostitution Race: © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Age, Class, and Race Wide spread image of black women as promiscuous More whites arrested for prostitution than other races Typical Customer is middle aged, male, white, and married © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 7.1 Arrests for prostitution in 2009 Source: FBI, 2010a. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Prostitution Functionalist: Prostitution offers several functions in society: Offers sexual gratification without a relationship Serves as an outlet for those not in an ongoing sexual relationship Provides sexual practices a regular sex partner might be unwilling to engage in © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Prostitution Protection for the family as a social institution by distinguishing between “good/bad boys” Provides jobs for low-skilled people Symbolic Interactionist Prostitution as a career is similar to choosing other occupations © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Prostitution Public labeling of people in such a career as deviant The person’s acceptance or rejection of that label determines whether he or she stays in that career Conflict theorists: People in power define prostitution as illegal because they see it as immoral © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Prostitution Liberal feminists: Prostitution is a victimless crime that should be decriminalized Marxist and Radical feminists: Women forced to use their bodies to make money because of economic inequality Trace roots of prostitution to patriarchy © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 7.2 Percent distribution of prostitution arrests by race, 1970–2009 Source: FBI, 2010a. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pornography Pornography: Obscenity: Graphic depiction of sexual behavior through pictures or words: In a manner intended to be sexually arousing Obscenity: © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pornography Pornographic materials that are offensive by generally accepted standards of decency Erotica: Material depicting consensual sexual activities sought by & pleasurable to all parties involved © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Nature and Extent of Pornography Hard-core: is material that explicitly depicts sexual acts and/or genitals Soft-core is suggestive but not explicit Many formats for porn but computer technology is most prevalent © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Nature and Extent of Pornography Pornography is profitable to many: Including investors, film makers, and owners of stores that distribute such materials Porn film industry a $10 billion per year enterprise © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 7.3 Net porns stats, 2010 Source: Duke, 2010; theweek.com , 2010. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 7.3 Net porns stats, 2010 Source: Duke, 2010; theweek.com , 2010. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Research on Pornography Presidential commissions; contradictory 1970 U.S. Commission on Pornography and Obscenity 1986 Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography Most adults do not support censoring pornographic materials © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Race, Class, and Age Men watch more sexually explicit material; more favorable toward porn than women Women are more vocal in opposing porn than men Class-based elitism White women much more likely to be portrayed in pornography © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Solutions to Prostitution and Pornography Functionalist/Conservative: Prostitution and pornography need regulation and control Religious conservatives: these are threats to moral values Conflict/Liberal: © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Solutions to Prostitution and Pornography Decriminalize these “victimless crimes” let adults make their own choices Symbolic Interactionist: Need to find out how people in the industry perceive their actions: And what social meanings they attach to their experiences © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.