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

2. 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:
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. Sexually Deviant Behaviors
4 behaviors identified as sexually deviant:
Premarital sex or fornication
Extramarital sex or adultery
Promiscuous sex
Underage sex or statutory rape
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. 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
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9. Health Aspects of Prostitution for Women
Bruises
Broken bones
Black Eyes
Health Risks
HIV/AIDs or other STDS
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
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10. Health Aspects of Prostitution for Women
Pregnancy related issues
Emotional Health
Combat disorder
Depression
Drug or Alcohol Abuse
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11. Levels of Prostitution
Escorts
Call Girls/Boys
Hustlers, Strippers, and Table Dancers
House Girls
Street Walkers
Drug Addicts
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12. 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:
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13. 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
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14. Figure 7.1 Arrests for prostitution in 2009
Source: FBI, 2010a.
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. 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
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18. 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
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19. Figure 7.2 Percent distribution of prostitution arrests by race, 1970–2009
Source: FBI, 2010a.
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20. Pornography Pornography: Obscenity:
Graphic depiction of sexual behavior through pictures or words:
In a manner intended to be sexually arousing
Obscenity:
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21. 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
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22. 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
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23. 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
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24. Figure 7.3 Net porns stats, 2010
Source: Duke, 2010; theweek.com , 2010.
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25. Figure 7.3 Net porns stats, 2010
Source: Duke, 2010; theweek.com , 2010.
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26. 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
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27. 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
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28. Solutions to Prostitution and Pornography
Functionalist/Conservative:
Prostitution and pornography need regulation and control
Religious conservatives: these are threats to moral values
Conflict/Liberal:
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29. 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
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