Mon 23rd Social Problems

Course Overview and Important Dates

  • Assignments and Exams
    • Assignment due: Wednesday night
    • Exam date: Friday

Discussion on Sexual Deviance

  • Concept of Sexual Norms
    • Societies across history develop a variety of norms and expectations regarding sexual behavior.
    • Sex work encompasses different types, including prostitution and more informal transactions (e.g., stripping).

Types of Prostitutes

  • Streetwalkers

    • Generally have numerous clients with low rates for sexual acts.
    • Considered very dangerous due to accepting any potential client.

  • Bar and Hotel Prostitutes

    • Operate within bars or hotels, often with the assistance of bartenders or concierges.
    • Charge higher rates and face less danger compared to streetwalkers.

  • High-Paid Escorts

    • Charge thousands of dollars for sex acts.
    • Exercise control over client selection, avoiding dangerous clients.

Gender Dynamics in Prostitution

  • Predominantly, prostitution in the U.S. involves female prostitutes and male clients.
  • Male Prostitutes
    • Serve primarily homosexual males but can also serve women.

Functions of Prostitution

  • Textbook Overview
    • The textbook details seven different functions of prostitution.
    • Students should know these functions for the exam.

Theory of Becoming a Prostitute

Nana Davis' Theory

  • Discussed on page 58 of the textbook. Focuses on the gradual process of becoming a prostitute.

Stages of Becoming a Prostitute

  1. Drift Stage

    • Initial social experiences include frequent sexual encounters often beginning as early as age 12-14.
    • Sexual interactions become instrumental, leading young women to trade sexual favors for attention, drugs, or other goods.
    • Implicitly engaging in sexual activities without considering it sex work initially.

  2. Transitional Stage

    • Begins when direct exchanges of sex for material goods become more frequent.
    • Ambivalence arises about engaging in prostitution, as they start to associate themselves with prostitution.
    • Utilize techniques of neutralization to rationalize their behavior, asserting that many of their peers participate in similar acts.

  3. Professionalization Stage

    • Recognizing the financial benefits of prostitution, they view it as a potential career with high earnings as compared to traditional low-wage jobs.
    • Develop strategies for safety and efficiency in sexual transactions, creating an occupational subculture.
    • Awareness of societal labels impacts their identity and social opportunities.

Legalization vs. Criminalization of Prostitution

  • Arguments for Legalization

    • Some argue that legalization could reduce the rates of sexual violence and victimization, making it a safer practice.
    • Prostitution is viewed by some as a victimless crime, involving consenting adults.
    • Supporters believe sex work should be recognized as legitimate work, deserving of rights and protections.

  • Current Legal Status of Prostitution

    • In Nevada, prostitution is legal in rural counties but not in major cities like Las Vegas.
    • Brothels are regulated, requiring regular health checks to minimize STDs and enhance safety.

  • Economic Perspective on Legalization

    • Cost of processing a prostitution arrest often outweighs financial penalties imposed on prostitutes, raising questions about the cost-effectiveness of criminalizing prostitution.

Ethical Considerations

  • Moral Opposition to Legalization
    • Critics argue that it contributes to the sexualization and objectification of women in society.
    • Concerns about commercialization of sex and its impact on societal values, including familial structures and morality.

Feminist Perspectives on Prostitution

  • Diverse Opinions Among Feminists
    • Some advocate for legalization as a means to empower women and challenge systemic sexism in arrest practices.
    • Others resist legalization, viewing it as reinforcing the objectification and commodification of women's bodies.

Overview of Pornography

  • Definition

    • Pornography includes writings, pictures, or objects of sexual nature, and perceptions of pornography are subjective and culturally relative.

  • Historical Research on Pornography

    • The 1970 Presidential Commission found no correlation between pornography and crime.
    • A counter-report led by Edwin Meese claimed that violent pornography contributes to real-world sexual violence and deviance.

Current Trends and Implications of Pornography

  • Impact of Pornography on Relationships and Sexual Expectations

    • The widespread availability of pornography has transformed perceptions and interactions regarding sexuality.
    • Concerns about unrealistic expectations from pornography leading to dissatisfaction in real-life sexual encounters.

  • Effects on Young People

    • Exposure to pornography can distort young people's views on relationships and sexuality.
    • Need for restrictions on accessibility for minors to foster healthy understanding and attitudes toward sexual relationships.

The Role of Technology in Changing Pornography

  • The evolution from print to digital media has drastically transformed accessibility to pornography.
  • Increasing concerns about AI and its role in altering images could further complicate issues of consent and objectification in the digital realm.

Conclusion

  • Navigating the sociological implications of prostitution and pornography requires understanding the intersecting dynamics of legality, morality, and personal agency. Discussions must include the evolving roles of technology and its impact on human relationships and societal norms regarding sexuality.