Zooming in on the Money Shot: an Exploratory Quantitative Analysis of Pornographic Film Actors
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University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2016 Zooming In On The Money Shot: An Exploratory Quantitative Analysis of Pornographic Film Actors Erin O'Neal University of Central Florida, [email protected] Part of the Sociology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation O'Neal, Erin, "Zooming In On The Money Shot: An Exploratory Quantitative Analysis of Pornographic Film Actors" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 5191. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/5191 ZOOMING IN ON THE MONEY SHOT: AN EXPLORATORY QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PORNOGRAPHIC FILM ACTORS by ERIN N. O’NEAL B.A. Loyola University New Orleans, 2006 M.P.A. University of Central Florida, 2010 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Sociology in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2016 Major Professor: Lin Huff-Corzine i © 2016 Erin N. O’Neal ii ABSTRACT Sex work is one of the rare elements of our society that is both accepted and stigmatized. Ironically enough, it is stigmatized without being studied in depth. The truth is we know very little about sex work and even less about pornography—the most legal of genres. While researchers have spent a great deal of time determining the effects that pornography has on viewers, particularly juvenile viewers, little research has been done on the men and women who make pornography. A 43 question survey was created and disseminated to those in the pornographic film industry, both amateur and professional, resulting in 210 respondents from all walks of life. The results of the inquiry show that social scientists know relatively little about working in pornography, having a profound impact on the current discussion and future research. Additionally, this investigation presents a new and creative method for surveying hard to reach, hidden, or sensitive subject populations that will aid in aspects of future research on sex work and other stigmatized behaviors. Keywords: pornography, sex work, stigma, hard to reach populations, pornographic film actor iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To Dr. Lin Huff-Corzine, my dissertation committee chair: From day one, you provided me with not only guidance and support, but you believed in me and my goals when everyone else thought things could not be done. Most importantly, you talked me off the roof and on the roof wherever applicable. Thank you for having the wisdom to know the difference. To my dissertation committee members, Drs. Potter & Corzine: Your guidance and perseverance helped me cross the finish line. For that, I will forever be grateful. To the department of Sociology: Thank you for taking a chance on me. I dreamt big and you showed me the way. Special thanks to Drs. David Gay, Fernando Rivera, Jana Jasinski, Amy Donley, and Jim Wright for guiding me through this process on all things big and small. To my mother, Teresa Joan Upton Stemock: Thank you for never giving up on me when everyone said you should. It hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve finally made it. To my sister, Tara Joan: Words cannot express how indebted I am to have had you in my corner all these years. Thank you for supporting every insane idea I have ever had; and for being the voice of reason when I doubted my every move. To Roman, Ryker, and River: You three are the most epic Godchildren children in the universe. If you learn nothing else from me, learn in this moment that the entire world is yours for the taking. Dream big. Jump when necessary. Never fold. To the greatest friends ever accumulated: Thank you: Abdelis De La Rocha for keeping it real since Cabra; Ruth Long-Birnbaum for reminding me that I deserve more; Donna King for taking the time to understand me; and Jessica Chase for being there when zombies attack. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1: AN INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 1 Primary Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 3 In what types of adult media do the actors/ models participate in? ......................................... 3 What is the primary motivation of adult film participants (both initially and continually)? ... 4 How has participation in adult media affected the participant? .............................................. 4 Are there any differences between “amateur” behavior and professional behavior? .............. 5 CHAPTER 2: HISTORY OF PORNOGRAPHY: FROM SEX TO THE COURTS ..................... 7 Defining “Sex Work” .................................................................................................................. 7 Is that pornography? Erotica, Pornography, and Obscenity........................................................ 9 The Role of the Sexual Revolution ........................................................................................... 12 Porn v. the U.S. ......................................................................................................................... 14 Commissions on Pornography .................................................................................................. 17 Backlash against Sex ................................................................................................................. 19 Feminism, Conservatism, and Pornography ............................................................................. 20 CHAPTER 3: THE EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY: FROM VIEWERSHIP TO VIOLENCE23 Why Pornography ..................................................................................................................... 23 Biological Responses to Pornography ...................................................................................... 23 Psychological Responses to Porn .............................................................................................. 25 The Sociological Effects of Pornography on Viewers .............................................................. 26 The Fragile Childhood and Damaged Goods ............................................................................ 31 Feminist Pornography ............................................................................................................... 32 Concern for Feminist Pornography ........................................................................................... 35 The Relationship between Pornography and Sexual Violence ................................................. 36 CHAPTER 4: CREATING PORNOGRAPHY ............................................................................ 39 101 Ways to Create Pornography.............................................................................................. 39 v Professional Pornographic Film Actors .................................................................................... 41 Amateur Behavior in Pornography ........................................................................................... 44 CHAPTER 5: SEX WORK .......................................................................................................... 50 Sex as an Occupation ................................................................................................................ 50 Pornography as Sex Work ......................................................................................................... 52 Prostitution ................................................................................................................................ 53 Exotic Dancing .......................................................................................................................... 55 BDSM and the Dungeons .......................................................................................................... 56 Women who participate in Sex Work ....................................................................................... 61 The Fusion of Sex Work and Violence ..................................................................................... 64 Coping with Sex Work: Stigma Management........................................................................... 66 Sex work and HIV/AIDS .......................................................................................................... 70 Men in the Industry ................................................................................................................... 72 CHAPTER 6: THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................ 79 Theory as a Guide in Social Research ....................................................................................... 79 Theories that Guided the Research ...........................................................................................