Sex for Sale © Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D. What is the difference between obscenity & pornography? • Supreme Court criteria for obscenity 1.Work as a whole must appear to prurient interest 2.Offensive to contemporary community standards 3.Without serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value • Problem - highly subjective Conflicting studies on the effects of pornography • 1970 Commission • 1998 Commission 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 What do other studies say about pornography? • When repeatedly exposed to pornography, both sexes became 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 • Where pornography Is easily accessible, sexual crimes tend to be lower Do you remember? • What was the Supreme court criteria for obscenity? • What were the findings of the 1970 commission? • What were the findings of the 1998 Meese commission? • What did other studies say about the effect of pornography? What about child pornography? • Internet sting operations are used to locate and arrest child pornographers • Computer generated images of children and adults looking like children (under 18) are both illegal. • Not covered by the first amendment Freedom of speech What about prostitution? History of prostitution • Greece (Hetairas) valued for intellectual companionship • Prostitution occurred in religious temples Kama temples of India Temple of Aphrodite • Considered scandalous but necessary in the Victorian era. What is the background of prostitutes? • Backgrounds of prostitutes Extremely varied backgrounds and all walks of life 95% of teenage prostitutes have been victims of sexual abuse. 35% of New York streetwalkers have HIV • Customers are Middle-aged, middle-class, married men Do you remember? • Are computer generated images of children legal? • Is pornography covered by the first amendment for free speech? • Was pornography ever allowed in various temples? • What is the background of prostitutes? Brothel prostitution • House where a group of prostitutes work • Common in early history of this country Seattle seamstress Creek street in Alaska • Owners typically collect about 1/2 of the prostitute’s fee • Legal in some counties of Nevada • Legal in Amsterdam Should we decriminalize prostitution? • Criminal penalties removed • Women could do what they want with their bodies • Association with organized crime might be weakened What is COYOTE? • Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics • Prostitutes union • Goal = political change How can we prevent prostitution? • United Nations Commission study of prostitution To prevent prostitution, create other economic opportunities for women. Do you remember? • How much do brothel owners collect? • Where is prostitution legal? • What happens if we decriminalize prostitution? • What is COYOTE?