Introduction to Sex Work

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes discussing sex work, its definitions, the social structures surrounding it, and the implications for psychology and law.

Sex Work

Situations where adults engage in commercial sex having consented to do so.

Prostitution

Engaging in sex in exchange for payment or other benefits.

Consent

The voluntary and ongoing agreement to engage in a particular sexual activity.

Exploitation

Taking advantage of someone in a position of vulnerability, often for financial gain.

Agency

The ability to be self-directed and take action within existing social structures.

Stereotype

A widely held but oversimplified belief or idea about a particular group.

Sex Worker

An individual who engages in sex work, encompassing a range of practices.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced by a person who holds two or more contradictory beliefs.

Legalization

The process of making something legal that was previously illegal.

Trafficking

The illegal trade of humans for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.

Victimization

The process of being made a victim, often involving harm or exploitation.

Therapeutic Approaches

Interventions and practices that promote healing and support mental health.

Criminalization

The act of making an activity illegal by enacting laws.

Transnational Movements

Social and political movements that transcend national borders.

Social Capital

The networks of relationships among people that enable society to function.