Chapter Eighteen Sexually Explicit Materials, Prostitution, and Sex Laws Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Sexually Explicit Materials, Prostitution, and Sex Laws The U.S. sex industry is a multi-billion- dollar enterprise U.S. ambivalent about sexually explicit material and prostitution Viewed as immoral, exploitative, harmless, erotic, or something that cannot be regulated

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexually Explicit Material in Contemporary America –Erotica: from Greek for “love poem” positive evaluation of sexually explicit material May have artistic value, mutuality, respect –Pornography: from Latin for “filth” negative evaluation of sexually explicit material anything that depicts sexuality and causes sexual arousal in the viewer –Sexually explicit material: neutral term depicts sexuality or causes sexual arousal

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexually Explicit Material and Popular Culture Annually $10-$14 billion in U.S. Playboy, Penthouse, and Hustler sell 5 million copies a month The Internet –“Sex” is most frequent search term Sexually explicit videos Blurring of boundaries

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Content and Themes Similarities of themes in mainstream media –Innuendoes, subordination of women, violence Four main themes –Diverse sexual activity –High levels of sexual desire –Pleasure as purpose of sexual activity –Many readily available sexual partners

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. The Effects of Sexually Explicit Material Sexual expression Variation in personal response Sexual aggression Sexual discrimination Child pornography

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Censorship, Sexually Explicit Material, and the Law Censorship –The suppression of words, ideas, or images by a government, private groups, or individuals based on their political or moral values Obscenity laws The issue of child protection –Protect children from sexual exploitation –Child Online Protection Act

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Prostitution The exchange of sexual behaviors for money or goods –16% of men report they have paid for sex Females working in prostitution –Sex as work –Entrance into prostitution High rates of childhood physical and sexual abuse –Personal background and motivations

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Forms of Female Prostitution Streetwalkers –10% of U.S. prostitutes –Adolescents, runaways –90% have been sexually assaulted –introduced into prostitution by pimp who forms exploitative, abusive relationship with prostitute Brothels Masseuses Call girls

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Males Working in Prostitution Usually selling services to other males, not women Street hustlers: male streetwalkers Expectation of ejaculation “Sugar Daddy” supporting younger male Subcultures –Peer delinquent subculture: gay sex is work –Gay subculture: prostitution is expression of sexuality –Transvestite subculture: “She-male” with breast augmentation

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Prostitution and the Law Solicitation: a word, gesture, or action that implies an offer of sex for sale Arrests for prostitution are symbols of community disapproval-not effective in ending prostitution Reformers call for legalization –“victimless crime” voluntary interaction between adults –prostitutes victimized by pimp, clients, law

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. The Impact of HIV/AIDS and Other STIs Prostitutes are at higher risk for HIV/AIDS –Many prostitutes use drugs, trade sex for drugs –Multiple partners, may not use condoms –May spread HIV via heterosexual transmission Clients of prostitutes are putting themselves as well as their partners at high risk for HIV Legalization may increase HIV testing among prostitutes as in Nevada

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexuality and the Law For many issues, there is no consensus, even though a law has been enacted –Abortion, sexuality education Sodomy laws struck down in 2003 –Other legal rights commonly denied to gay, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered employment, housing, adoption