Sex for Sale
Obscenity

Supreme Court criteria
 Work
as a whole must appear to prurient
interest
 Offensive to contemporary community
standards
 Without serious literary, artistic, political or
scientific value

Problem - highly subjective
Supreme Court and the internet

Gave it the highest protection from
government intrusion
1970 Commission on
Obscenity and Pornography
No significant, long-lasting changes in
behavior
 Recommended repeal of all adult
pornography laws

1998 Meese Commission

Violent porn
 Causes
sexual aggression
 Increases acceptance of rape

Nonviolent erotica
 Considered

destructive of social mores
Recommended
 Vigorous
law enforcement and prosecution of
obscenity
Another study

When repeatedly exposed to pornography,
both sexes become less satisfied with the
physical appeal and sexual performance
of their partners.
Pornography produces
unrealistic expectations
Men are always ready for sex
 Women are highly responsive to any
stimulation by men

Prostitution

Backgrounds of prostitutes
 Extremely
varied backgrounds and all walks
of life

Why women become prostitutes
 Emotional
difficulties (most likely reason)
 Financial reasons

Customers are
 Middle-aged,
middle-class, married men
Prevention of prostitution

United Nations Commission study of
prostitution
 To
prevent prostitution, create other economic
opportunities for women.
Decriminalizing prostitution
Criminal penalties removes
 Women could do what they want with their
bodies
 Association with organized crime might be
weakened

Prostitution and HIV

35% of New York streetwalkers have HIV
COYOTE
Come Off Your Old Tired Ethics
 Prostitutes union
 Goal = political change

Male prostitutes for women

Gigolos
Sex “tourism”

Highest in southeast asia (Thailand)