Pornography/Prostitution
religious/conservative POV
-Focuses on dangers of porn to moral development of children, tradition family values, and moral fabric of society -Sex is a physical act
Leon and Shdaimah argue there are several hurdles that need to be overcome to have a better understanding about the experience of sex workers. What are these hurdles?
-Help and rescue vs. harm and unintended consequences :rules/laws in place end up unintentionally hurting the most vulnerable -Victimization and limited choice vs. agency as capability :Victims seen and incapable of taking care of themselves and making rational decisions -Demanding sole control versus collaboration :Often view collaboration as negative :Finds collaboration difficult and thinks it creates unnecessary work
Liberal POV
-Impossible to define porn -Need to distinguish between hard and softcore porn/ erotica -Porn can be helpful and decrease sexual inhibition
Pro Sex Feminists POV
-Porn is not the only problem in subordination of women therefore shouldn't be primary focus -Argues censoring porn will limit women's ability to address their sexual needs & need more explicit material produced for & by women.
Raymond, How has legalization of prostitution in countries such as the Netherlands impacted women? Have its goals been successful?
-Rights are protected -Money made is not "dirty money", but rather a source of income -May press charges if raped and not be punished for prostitution -In general is has kept women in the sex work industry far safer and they are viewed more as equals; however, there is still an underlying stigma
Anti Porn Feminists POV
-Role porn helps maintain women's secondary status and violation of women's rights -Teaches kids to see sex as just physical
prostitutes and rape myths
-When women say "no", they don't really mean it -Women who were previously raped are more -susceptible to being victim to is again -Men don't get raped -Women can't rape -Prostitutes want to be in the position they are in -Prostitutes are addicts and substance abusers
Collins argues that there are several strong parallels between Black women's experiences in slavery and their depiction in pornography. What are they?
-Women depicted as submissive and weak to the man. Parallels to a slave with their owner. -Slavery and rape is a big genre in pornography -Slaves were often raped by their owners because they were not considered people, but rather seen as property -Both have themes of violence, dominance, rape, and overpowering women for sexual gratification (both directly and subliminally)
Definition of obscenity outlined in Supreme Court decision Miller v California refers to three elements needed
1. Appeals to mainly pruient interest in sex 2.Work depicts or describes sexual conduct in patently offensive way 3.Work lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value
decriminalization strategy
Most preferred choice by sex workers. Makes prostitution legal. Workers are not victims by default. May press charges if in any inherent danger just as the average person could, and rights are protected as it is a legitimate occupation.
Prohibition strategy
The US model, is the most oppressive for sex workers. Prostitution is entirely illegal.
Abolition strategy
all prostitutes are considered victims whether their work is willingly done or forced. Criminalizes the third party (clients) only.
Regulation strategy
model for Nevada counties. Government can apply regulations such as controlled and registered brothel houses, and mandatory std testing on the workers. Failure to comply to these regulations may result in prosecution. Also quite constricting.
