1. Chapter 18 Sex For Sale

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

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

11. 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