Shifting Attitudes:Individuals Engaged in Sex Work//Kayla Bolland-Hillesheim

Photo from www.nusconnect.org.uk

Individuals engaged in sex work (IESW) have long been seen through a lens that focuses on the mental illness and stress they experience (1). Even among activist subgroups, the view of IESW can be combative. Sex trafficking is clearly a human rights violation from any feminist perspective. Sex work, in which a person may choose to engage, is a separate issue. There has been debate among feminists over whether sex work is truly empowering or flat out exploitative (2). However, this either-or thinking leaves little room for the acknowledgment of intersecting identities within the sex work industry (3).

While there are common and very real concerns associated with engagement in sex work, such as substance use (4) or sexual abuse (5), there is little attention given to the coping strategies and strengths of IESW (6). Given the rigid, opposing ways in which sex work has been perceived within the feminist debate, it’s time to reconsider our attitudes and how they may be impacting IESW. Majority moral judgments made about their work may contribute to internalized stigma and isolation among IESW (7), which can lead to low self-esteem, shame, despair, and a sense of powerlessness (8).

This change in perspective acknowledges how IESWs’ experiences may vary depending upon the location in which they work and where their occupation falls along the hierarchy within the sex work industry (9). All of this may further be impacted by their various intersecting social identities, such as ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (10).

There are differences between street and indoor sex workers regarding practices, job satisfaction, self-esteem, physical and psychological health, and victimization (11). In qualitative interviews with trans women of color, some considered entering sex work a cultural norm as they began their transition. It allowed them to join in a community of other trans women, especially after many were rejected by their family members (12). Additionally, a participant in a study by Koken (2012) said she saw sex work as an effective way to supplement her income from disability and felt affirmed by the positive attention of clients who value her appearance and do not see her as disabled first and foremost. 

Our attitude shift should include a focus on resiliency and broadening our understanding of this population to encompass their whole experience, not just parts of it.

~Written by Kayla Bolland-Hillesheim

References

1. Maddux, J. E., Gosselin, J. T., & Winstead, B. A. (2008). Conceptions of psychopathology: A social constructionist perspective. In J. E. Maddux & B. A. Winstead (Eds.), Psychopathology: Foundations for a contemporary understanding (2nd ed., pp. 3–18). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
2. Limoncelli, S. A. (2009). The trouble with trafficking: Conceptualizing women’s sexual labor and economic human rights. Women’s Studies International Forum, 32, 261–269.
3. Benoit, C., & Shaver, F. M. (2006). Critical issues and new directions in sex work research. Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, 43(3), 243-252. doi:10.1111/j.1755-618X.2006.tb02222.x
4. Ward, H., Mercer, C. H., Wellings, K., Fenton, K., Erens, B., Cpoas, A., & Johnson, A. M. (2005). Who pays for sex? An analysis of the increasing prevalence of female commercial sex contacts among men in Britain. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 81, 467– 471. doi:10.1136/sti.2005.014985
5. Abramovich, E. (2005). Childhood sexual abuse as a risk factor for subsequent involvement in sex work: A review of empirical findings. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, 17, 131–146.
6. Burnes, T. R., Long, S. L., & Schept, R. A. (2012). A resilience-based lens of sex work: Implications for professional psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 43(2), 137-144. doi:10.1037/a0026205
7. Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Task Force. (2005). Coping with stigma, discrimination, and violence: Sex workers talk about their experiences. Retrieved from http://www.sweat.org/za/docs/coping.pdf
8. Moane, G. (2003). Bridging the personal and the political: Practices for a liberation psychology. American Journal of Community Psychology, 31(1–2), 91–101. doi:10.1023/A:1023026704576
9. Cusick, L., Martin, A., & May, T. (2003). Findings 207: Vulnerability and involvement in drug use and sex work. Report from the Communication, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. London, UK: Home Office.
10. Buttram, M. E., Surratt, H. L., & Kurtz, S. P. (2014). Resilience and syndemic risk factors among African-American female sex workers. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 19(4), 442-452. doi:10.1080/13548506.2013.824595
11. Lever, J., & Dolnick, D. (2010). Call girls and street prostitutes: Selling sex and intimacy. In R. Weitzer (Ed.), Sex for sale: Prostitution, pornography, and the sex industry (2nd ed., pp. 187–203). New York: Routledge.
12. Sausa, L. A., Keatley, J., & Operario, D. (2007). Perceived risks and benefits of sex work among transgender women of color in San Francisco. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36(6), 768-777. doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9210-3
13. Koken, J. A. (2012). Independent female escort's strategies for coping with sex work related stigma. Sexuality & Culture: An Interdisciplinary Quarterly, 16(3), 209-229. doi:10.1007/s12119-011-9120-3

LETS TALK ABOUT: PORN//SAMANTHA CAMARDO

Photo Citation: https://unboundbox.com/blogs/magazine/list-of-the-best-feminist-porn 

Disclaimer: The feminist pornography debate is multifaceted and contains different opinions and ways of thinking. This blog looks at ideas from mainstream, heterosexual pornography from a critical perspective and offers ways in which we can still view porn without having to deal with the controversial issues that are often seen in the films. What follows is meant to spark a discussion about mainstream pornography and feminist pornography. 

As feminists, it is easy for some to reject the porn industry and everything it represents. Pornography offers unrealistic representations of body types, shapes, sizes, and what healthy sex should look like (Jensen, 2007). Depending on the film, it can also depict women as submissive and it usually focuses on the importance of the male orgasm. Similarly, Fritz and Paul (2017) found that mainstream pornography contains significantly more depictions of female objection than feminist pornography. While there may be differences of opinions, if there were one thing we could all agree on, it might be that porn has not always been based on gender egalitarian ideals.  

Some might say, “it is just acting” or “it is just a fantasy.” It would be naïve to think that all men or women who view porn seek out porn that inherently degrades women. However, it would also be naïve to think that porn has no effect on society and its viewers (McKenzie, 2011). McKenzie (2011) goes on to say that there is a very real possibility that generations of young men and women have and will come to view the degradation of women as a very normal part of sex. Even if it is imaginary, when we gain sexual arousal from films that humiliate and shame women, it has the potential to change not only the society’s view of sex and women, but also the mindset of individuals who consume it (McKenzie, 2011). By becoming more aware of this, we can acknowledge that porn can sometimes perpetuate harmful ideas about sex, and therefore we can avoid that kind of porn. Rather than completely censoring people’s opportunity to explore their sexual desires, why not push people in the direction of websites that contain “female-friendly” videos that depict mutually enjoyable experiences?

Feminist pornography has steadily grown and stands in opposition to the mainstream pornography industry. It is known for its interest in deconstructing stereotypical portrayals of female sexuality and trying to construct more diverse representations (Liberman, 2013).

Some might be wondering, what makes porn feminist porn? Here are five rules from https://everydayfeminism.com/2013/09/feminist-porn/:

1. Both the male and female actors or even their characters, should be treated as equals

2. Male-female sex should not be presented as something that men do to women or that women do for men.

3. Sex is something that people do (most of the time) in the context of a larger relationship. It should reflect the relationship the characters have.

4. Kissing, touching, and hugging are just as important as the lovemaking is. 

5. Sex is not something a couple does for other people but as something they do for themselves—they should be enjoying the sex, not just going through the motions. 

Growing numbers of women are directing and producing films where the focus is on the female orgasm and satisfaction compared to most typical mainstream porn directed by men (Kort, 2010.)  Kort (2010) also believes that women who are making these films are actively removing the misogyny from porn. Fritz and Paul (2017) believe that feminist pornography may be giving different and possibly better sexual scripts compared to mainstream porn. Feminist pornography films focuses on consent, communication, fair pay, and safety during sex. Overall, more porn sites are teaming up with content providers to feature porn made by and for women. 

However, there are caveats to all of this. Feminist porn might still be inherently objectifying. And why should we assume that the women who perform in porn films are being degraded? There is still the potential possibility that these women are empowered through this type of work. I don’t expect the entire porn industry to change overnight but the concept of feminist porn has the potential to empower women on their own time, in a field that has historically been dominated by men.

~Written by Samantha Camardo

References:

Jensen, R. (2007). Getting off: Pornography and the end of masculinity. Cambridge, MA: South End Press.

Kort, J. (2010). Review of 'Getting off: Pornography and the end of masculinity'. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 36(4), 383-385.

Liberman, Rachel Anne.  (2013). "The Politics of Mediating Female Sexual Subjectivity: Feminist Pornography and the Production of Cultural Variation" Journalism & Mass Communication Graduate Theses & Dissertations. 20. http://scholar.colorado.edu/jour_gradetds/20

McKenzie, S. (2011). Why the new 'porn norm' s hurting women. The Sydney Morning Herald,

O'Connor, R. (2013). What does feminist porn look like? https://everydayfeminism.com/2013/09/feminist-porn/

Why the Internet Needs More Women// Megan Brubaker

Picture Citation: https://razoredge-media.co.uk/men-vs-women-social-media-usage/

Gender differences have surfaced as a hot topic in technology. In July, a Google employee posted an anti-diversity message stating there were “biological” differences between men and women justifying the gender pay gap in tech companies. Other tech companies, such as Uber, have faced allegations of sexism. Women are often discouraged to pursue STEM degrees in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. But why is the technology industry a “boys only” club? Do women have less interest or need for the internet and technology?

There are 2.8 billion users logging onto at least one social media platform daily. This mainstream phenomenon has blossomed over the past decade. In fact, it grew 22% in the last year. Facebook is the leading social media website with 83% of its users predominately female (Tracx.com, 2017). Through social media, users can relate to friends and strangers the status updates of their feelings, thoughts, and accomplishments. However, there are gender-specific behaviors on social media. Women tend to use the internet for social interactions and relationship building, while men are more likely to use the internet for task completion and information seeking. This explains why photo-sharing sites like Facebook and Instagram have a predominately female user base, while informational sites like Twitter, Reddit, and YouTube have a predominately male user base.

It is possible that gender differences online stem from evolutionary roots. Theoretically, men tend to seek out groups for protection and food gathering, while women tend to seek relationships for child bearing and protection of kin. These social roles were demonstrated in a study by David-Barrett and colleagues (2015). Analyzing 112,000 profile pictures worldwide, they found women favored dyadic relations, whereas men favored larger-male cliques. This implies that cross culturally, women desire more quality relationships than quantity. They seek the emotional relationship rather than the large-scale community of social networking.

Further gender differences are seen in motivations for internet use and utilization of time spent online.  Research in this area has found social media behavior is due to two psychological needs: for affiliation and for self-disclosure (Chen, 2015). Social media is a magnet for attracting women to fulfill these needs. Online interactions provide a venue to develop the ability to regulate responses, relate with tolerance and respect to others’ viewpoints, express condolences, celebrate, and engage in discussions (Pujazon-Zazik & Park, 2010). These are all features exercised in social interactions. Women have the power to express themselves and seek friendships that may not be readily available in their immediate environment.

This report illustrates the influence of gender on technology use. Gender plays a significant role in considering the purpose and use of technology. As previously discussed, gender acts as an influencing factor in technology adoption as men are perceived to be more technologically proficient compared to women. Similarly, gender difference is not being observed with respect to interaction via social media but males and females do have different agendas in using social network sites. Females mainly use the social network for the quality of relationships whereas males use it for seeking friends, or the quantity of relationships. This review can inform women how the gender gap in technology acceptance is occurring and ways this discrepancy can be addressed.

~ Written by Megan Brubaker

References

Al-Saggaf, Y., & Nielsen, S. (2014). Self-disclosure on Facebook among female users and its relationship to feelings of loneliness. Computers in Human Behavior, 36, 460-468.
Chen, G. M. (2015). Why do women bloggers use social media? Recreation and information motivations outweigh engagement motivations. New Media & Society, 17(1), 24-40.
David-Barrett, T., Rotkirch, A., Carney, J., Izquierdo, I. B., Krems, J. A., Townley, D., McDaniell, E., Byrne-Smith, A., & Dunbar, R. I. M. (2015). Women favour dyadic relationships, but men prefer clubs: Cross-cultural evidence from social networking. PLoSONE10(3):e0118329. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0118329
Tracx.com (2017). Top network demographics. Retrieved from http://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-networks/top-social-network-demographics-2017-infographic
Kimbrough, A. M., Guadagno, R. E., Muscanell, N. L., & Dill, J. (2013). Gender differences in mediated communication: Women connect more than do men. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 896-900.
Pujazon-Zazik, M., & Park, M. J. (2010). To tweet, or not to tweet: gender differences and potential positive and negative health outcomes of adolescents’ social internet use. American Journal of Men's Health, 4(1), 77-85.