Responding to Academic Critiques of Sex Work: Practical Suggestions from a Sex-Positive Perspective

Responding to Academic Critiques of Sex To help make sense of this, I present three Work: Practical Suggestions from a Sex- standard academic critiques of sex work that Positive Perspective I suggest have often held academics back from taking a more sex-positive perspective. Jeremy N. Thomas, PhD Although I only present the basic contours Idaho State University and Center for of these critiques, I present them with the Positive Sexuality intent of highlighting how a more sex- positive perspective could respond to these While the prevalence of sex workers and the critiques in a helpful and constructive size and growth of the sex industry is manner. That is, instead of simply regularly disputed and/or misrepresented dismissing or attempting to undermine these (Weitzer, 2007), by all accounts, sex work critiques, I ask, how might academics forms a significant part of the American respond to these critiques in ways that could economy. Whether prostitution, erotic be both practically beneficial as well as massage, escorting, dancing, modeling, broadly applicable?—not just for other pornography, or providing BDSM and fetish academics, but also for clinicians and policy services—sex work and sex workers are makers, as well as for those who either work available virtually everywhere, and in the sex industry or utilize the services that depending on the particular service the industry provides. Accordingly, I now involved, are utilized by anywhere from a present three standard academic critiques of small but substantial portion of the sex work, after which, I offer three population (e.g., prostitution; Monto & corresponding responses. McRee, 2005) to a large percentage of adults (e.g, pornography; Carroll et al., 2008; Three Standard Academic Critiques of Döring, 2009). Sex Work

Needless to say, many persons find this While academic critiques of sex work are problematic. Indeed, drawing on religious wide-ranging and often quite sophisticated rhetoric (Thomas, 2013) as well as popular (Zatz, 1997), I suggest that in basic form notions of decency (Heins, 2007) and there are really three standard critiques that sentimentality (Ericsson, 1980), many have subsequently been adapted and Americans are quick to offer moral integrated in a variety of ways. The first of condemnation of these practices (Sherkat & these is the Marxist critique. This critique Ellison, 1997; Weitzer, 2006). In this article, derives from Marx’s general critique of however, I want to look beyond just popular capitalism (1976) as well as Engels’ specific opinion, and I want to consider how application of this critique to the family academics have often responded to sex structure (2010). At root, this critique can be work. In particular, I am interested in why it summed up in Marx’s aphorism that is that although academics have frequently “Prostitution is only a particular expression come to the defense of other popularly- of the universal prostitution of the worker...” controversial aspects of sexuality—for (1992, p. 350). By this, Marx meant that just example, homosexuality—when it has come as the general workings of capitalism are to sex work, academics have typically been inherently exploitive (e.g., owners profiting much more hesitant to counter popular from and mistreating their workers), so too, opinion. sex work is inherently exploitive (e.g., pimps and club owners profiting from and

mistreating their prostitutes and dancers). work of Marcuse (1955, 1964), the critical One of the interesting corollaries to this is theory critique argues that when sex that the Marxist tradition has frequently becomes something that is bought and sold, argued that just like workers in any other both the buyer and the seller lose a part of industry, the exploitation of sex workers is themselves in the transaction. The idea here not constant but rather varies significantly is that in its natural form, sexuality is a across situations and contexts (Ericsson, creative energy that in order to be fully 1980; Kesler, 2002). In particular, when sex experienced must be freely given and freely work takes place in less regulated received (Horkheimer & Adorno, 2002). environments (e.g., child brothels in Hence, when sex enters the marketplace, its Thailand), sex workers are subject to greater creative energy becomes regimented and levels of exploitation, while in more diminished through the constraints of regulated environments (e.g., adult brothels exchange and consumption (Fleming, 2007). in Nevada), such exploitation is decreased. No matter how consensual and pleasurable the experience may be, the critical theory The second standard academic critique of critique argues that the sale of sex sex work is the radical feminist critique. fundamentally degrades its creative Often identified with the writings of character, and in turn, both buyers and Dworkin (1981) and MacKinnon (1989), the sellers become alienated from their own radical feminist critique argues that sex sexualities. work is not only exploitive because owners profit from and mistreat their workers, but Responding Instead of Dismissing more critically, because owners are overwhelmingly male, and workers are Many advocates of the above critiques— overwhelmingly female. This promotes the whether Marxist, radical feminist, or critical idea that sex work is not really about selling theory—argue that sex work of all kinds sexual services, but actually about selling should be discouraged, resisted, and made women themselves (Barry, 1979, 1995). In illegal or at least difficult and costly to turn, the radical feminist critique argues that access (e.g., Jeffreys, 2009). Alternatively, this kind of objectification leads to the some proponents of sex work argue that further mistreatment of sex workers by both these critiques are invalid and should simply owners and buyers—which ultimately be dismissed. Instead of either of these results in the similar mistreatment of women options, I suggest taking a more sex-positive more generally (Dines, 2010). In sum, the perspective. That is, rather than trying to radical feminist critique argues that sex adjudicate evidence and trying to assess the work reinforces patriarchy and validity of these critiques, I propose giving heteronormativity. Sex work, it is claimed, each of them the benefit of the doubt, and turns women into sexual objects to be used then asking, given that sex work and the sex and mistreated by men. industry is not likely to be going away any time soon, how we might respond to these The third standard academic critique of sex critiques in a helpful and constructive work is the critical theory critique. While manner? Accordingly, I now offer three this critique is perhaps the least likely to be responses that lay out some practical specifically identified, in many ways, it is suggestions that could be promoted by the most powerful and enduring of the three academics and then implemented by standard critiques. Based primarily on the clinicians and policy makers, as well as by

those who either work in the sex industry or academics should be especially supportive utilize the services that the industry of queer and alternative services such as provides. Although these responses are not those provided by gay escorts and lesbian necessarily new and have in large part been dancers, as well as by professional articulated elsewhere (e.g., Bell, 1994; dominants and submissives, by alternative Chapkis, 1997; Rubin, 1984), nonetheless, I pornography actors, and by fetish service think it is still helpful to identify and providers. By means of such diversification describe some basic sex-positive responses. and queerification, sex work can move away from reinforcing patriarchy and First, to the degree that the Marxist critique heteronormativity and actually begin to may have some validity in arguing that sex undermine these hegemonic structures. work is an inherently exploitive labor practice, I suggest that the appropriate Third, to the degree that the critical theory response lies in advocating for the kinds of critique may have some validity in arguing occupational regulations that will reduce this that sex work alienates buyers and sellers exploitation. In particular, academics should from their own sexualities, I suggest that the not only call for the decriminalization and appropriate response lies in advocating for legalization of consensual, adult sex work, the legitimation and celebration of sex work but they should also call for fair labor as a creative occupation that not only practices, for profit sharing, for safe provides an important source of income for workplaces, and especially for the many persons but can also be personally opportunity for sex workers to be self- meaningful and fulfilling. While there are employed as desired. Now, obviously, much many ways in which this might be of the current regulation of sex work is not understood (e.g., in a therapeutic sense, an at all intended to support these goals but entertainment sense, or a self-actualization actually is intended to limit and discourage sense), regardless of the particularities, sex work. Hence, when it comes to academics should encourage others to see implementing new regulations, it is sex work as a creative enterprise, as imperative that policy makers partner with acceptable and important as any other line of sex workers in developing these regulations, work. Alongside this academic so that these regulations properly serve the encouragement, clinicians can also play a interests of sex workers. To be clear, valuable role in supporting these kinds of regulation must support and protect sex ideas. Finally, sex workers, as well as those workers, not further exploit them. who utilize their services, can both be intentional in respecting and validating— Second, to the degree that the radical and thus reifying—the creative dimensions feminists critique may have some validity in of their mutual interactions. arguing that sex work reinforces patriarchy and heteronormativity, I suggest that the Conclusion appropriate response lies in advocating for the diversification and queerification of sex In many environments, the conditions of sex work. With regard to the gender of sex work are obviously less than ideal. Indeed, workers, academics should be especially claims that sex work is exploitive, supportive of sex workers who identify as patriarchal, heteronormative, and alienating male, trans, or otherwise genderqueer. are not without merit. Yet, at the same time, Likewise, with regard to sexual services, such claims do not accurately describe the

situations of many sex workers. Rather, as Döring, N. M. (2009). The Internet’s impact on research has increasingly found (Weitzer, sexuality: A critical review of 15 years of research. Computers in Human Behavior, 2009), the conditions of sex work, as well as 25(5), 1089–1101. the personal assessments of sex workers, Dworkin, A. (1981). Pornography: Men possessing actually vary significantly. This suggests, women. New York: Perigee Books. then, that even if one has overarching Engels, F. (2010). The origin of the family, private concerns about sex work, regardless of such property and the state. New York: Penguin Classics. concerns, it should be relatively Ericsson, L. O. (1980). Charges against prostitution: straightforward to agree to advocate for An attempt at a philosophical assessment. practical ways to improve the environments Ethics, 90(3), 335–366. and conditions under which sex work takes Fleming, P. (2007). Sexuality, power and resistance place. However, beyond just this, a sex- in the workplace. Organization Studies, 28(2), 239–256. positive perspective must go further and Heins, M. (2007). Not in front of the children: must reject the latent moralizing and ‘Indecency,’ censorship, and the innocence fundamental uneasiness about sexuality that of youth (2nd. ed.). New Brunswick, NJ: clearly pervades academic critiques of sex Rutgers University Press. work and that undoubtedly contributes to the Horkheimer, M., & Adorno, T. W. (2002). Dialectic of enlightenment: Philosophical fragments. very problems that these critiques identify. Redwood City, CA: Stanford University Instead, academics—along with clinicians Press. and policy makers, as well as those who Jeffreys, S. (2009). The idea of prostitution (2nd. either work in the sex industry or utilize the ed.). North Melbourne, Australia: Spinifex services that the industry provides—should Press. Kesler, K. (2002). Is a feminist stance in support of together advocate not only for the prostitution possible? An exploration of decriminalization and legalization of current trends. Sexualities, 5(2), 219–235. consensual, adult sex work, but also for the MacKinnon, C. A. (1989). Toward a feminist theory legitimation and celebration of such work as of the state. Cambridge, MA: Harvard both a necessary and desirable part of the University Press. Marcuse, H. (1955). Eros and civilization: A human experience. philosophical inquiry into Freud. Boston, MA: Beacon Press. References Marcuse, H. (1964). One-dimensional man: Studies in the ideology of advanced industrial Barry, K. (1979). Female sexual slavery. New York: society. Boston, MA: Beacon Press. New York University Press. Marx, K. (1976). Capital: A critique of political Barry, K. (1995). The prostitution of sexuality. New economy (Vol. 1). New York: Penguin York: New York University Press. Books. Bell, S. (1994). Reading, writing, and rewriting the Marx, K. (1992). Economic and philosophic prostitute body. Bloomington, IN: Indiana manuscripts (1844) Karl Marx: Early University Press. writings (pp. 279–400). New York: Penguin Carroll, J. S., Padilla-Walker, L. M., Nelson, L. J., Books. Olson, C. D., Barry, C. M., & Madsen, S. D. Monto, M. A., & McRee, N. (2005). A comparison of (2008). Generation XXX: Pornography the male customers of female street acceptance and use among emerging adults. prostitutes with national samples of men. Journal of Adolescent Research, 23(1), 6– International Journal of Offender Therapy 30. and Comparative Criminology, 49(5), 505– Chapkis, W. (1997). Live sex acts: Women 529. performing erotic labor. New York: Rubin, G. (1984). Thinking sex: Notes for a radical Routledge. theory of the politics of sexuality. In C. S. Dines, G. (2010). Pornland: How porn has hijacked Vance (Ed.), Pleasure and danger: our sexuality. Boston, MA: Beacon Press. Exploring female sexuality (pp. 267–319). Boston, MA: Routledge.

Sherkat, D. E., & Ellison, C. G. (1997). The cognitive Weitzer, R. (2007). The social construction of sex structure of a moral crusade: Conservative trafficking: Ideology and institutionalization Protestantism and opposition to of a moral crusade. Politics and Society, pornography. Social Forces, 75(3), 957– 35(3), 447–475. 980. Weitzer, R. (2009). Sociology of sex work. Annual Thomas, J. N. (2013). Outsourcing moral authority: Review of Sociology, 35, 213–234. The internal secularization of evangelicals’ Zatz, N. D. (1997). Sex work/sex act: Law, labor, and anti-pornography narratives. Journal for the desire in constructions of prostitution. Signs: Scientific Study of Religion, 52(3), 457–475. Journal of Women in Culture and Society, Weitzer, R. (2006). Moral crusade against 22(2), 277–308. prostitution. Society, 43(3), 33–38.

Journal of Positive Sexuality, Vol. 1, February 2015 © 2015 Journal of Positive Sexuality-Center for Positive Sexuality Theoretical explanations of sexual exploitation and sex work are rich and diverse at the societal level yet sparse and underdeveloped at the individual level. The contentious Author Manuscript.Â Critics argue that categorizing everyone as victims of sex trafficking (or not) creates an unhelpful dichotomy within the law and social services of looking for victims that are always under some form of force, fraud, or coercion and therefore under the control of another (FitzGerald & Munro, 2012; Snyder-Hall, 2010). Critics also argue that these forms Author Manuscript.Â Critiques of sex positivism are numerous. I first realized that the "sex positive" turn in feminismâ€“â€“with its treatment of pornography, "sex work", and sexual practice in general as emancipatoryâ€“â€“represented a rightward drift in mainstream left activism in 2005. Before then I found it disagreeable but could, at the very least, countenance some of its arguments: I might have been uncomfortable, for example, with its pro-pornography position but I understood that there were indeed problems with the way in which some anti-pornography radical feminists agitated within the bourgeois legal system; I might have been annoyed with how it frame Somatic sexology: A sex-positive case study of paternal masturbation of his disabled son and sexability access campaign. Presentation at the African Society for Sexual Medicine International Congress: Sexuality & Intimacyâ€”The Missing Link in Holistic Care, Durban, South Africa, 29 November.Google Scholar.Â Responding to academic critiques of sex work: Practical suggestions from a sex-positive perspective. Journal of Positive Sexuality, 1, 16â€“20.Google Scholar. Touching Base. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.touchingbase.org/. UNESCO. Sex can get boring. That's where new positions come in. Learn 46 G-spot and clitoral stimulating positions for better orgasms, with a new or long-term partner.Â They enter you from a missionary position. Why: Your hands are free to work your clitoris. As you should. Make It Hotter: Have them â€œride high,â€ rubbing their pubic bone against your clitoris, or â€œride low,â€ directly stimulating your G-spot with the head of the penis, the strap-on, a dildo, or a finger. Sexual education pioneer/all-around-badass Betty Dodson, whose Rock n' Roll technique is below, has been wielding the legendary Hitachi Magic Wand in workshops to teach women how to masturbate since the late 1960s Girlfriend knows her way around a vulva.Â â€œCup your hands around your pubic mound and lips so that you can grind against your palm and fingers. You can squeeze your legs together as your grind for extra clitoral stimulation.â€ (Also works for masturbation and anal too...) 4 Betty Dodson's Rock n' Roll. @LUCYMACARONI. If you saw the The Goop Lab ep on orgasms (if not, do it at once), here's how to do legendary sex educator Betty Dodson's equally legendary Rock n' Roll technique: Lie on your back with your knees bent about hip distance apart. However, most research on illegal sex work considers this behavior in off-line contexts, with an extensive focus on sex workers, rather than their clients. Specifically, an extensive body of literature focuses on dif- ferent aspects of prostitution around the world, including the lives, activities, and attitudes of sex workers (Alexander 1998; Rhode, 1989; West 1998).Â However, these studies are generated from small samples of posts from a single U.K.-specific website and focus solely on escorts, rather than other forms of sex work (Weitzer 2005; Sharpe and Earle 2003; Soothill and Sanders 2005). The sex therapy industry has mushroomed because of the cultural shift towards speaking more openly about sex in our society, which comes more than a century after famous sex researchers William Masters and Virginia Johnson began their research on sexuality that ultimately laid the groundwork for sex therapy techniques used in the 1960s to the current day.Â "[The therapist] didnâ€™t understand why her suggestion of what was essentially the veto system wasnâ€™t ethical non-monogamy." Part of what alarmed Zoe was that the therapist also said that a lot of her other clients followed a "one-penis policy" as a successful form of polyamory.Â The work of the clinicians that pioneered a broader scope of sex therapy is compiled as a set of kink-inclusive guidelines here. It is a sex-positive community and a safe space for people of all genders and orientations which demands respectful conduct in all exchanges. There is ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CREEPY/HARASSING BEHAVIOR here â€” in posts, comments, messages, or any other contributions. No exceptions.Â 4) all contributions must be sex positive. We demand that consenting adults be free to express their sexuality as they see fit. Kink shaming, slut shaming, and similar conduct will not be tolerated. Links or references to sex negative communities or websites (No Fap, Porn Free, etc) will not be tolerated.Â Do not post your pictures and ask people to rate or critique you. Do not ask if given consensual sexual interests are good/bad/okay/wrong, etc. 9) ACADEMIC SURVEYS. PDF | On Feb 1, 2015, Jeremy N. Thomas published Responding to Academic Critiques of Sex Work: Practical Suggestions from a Sex-Positive Perspective | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate.Â Â© 2015 Journal of Positive Sexuality-Center for Positive Sexuality. Responding to Academic Critiques of Sex. Work: Practical Suggestions from a Sex-. Positive Perspective. î€ƒ Jeremy N. Thomas, PhD. Idaho State University and Center for. Sex workersâ€”those who offer services between consenting adults like companionship, intimacy, escorting, dancing, camming, and countless other sexual and nonsexual servicesâ€”are as diverse a group as the general population, and their individual self-care needs can vary just as much. That said, when I asked members of the sex work community about their personal self-care routines, a few themes popped up, from dealing with the stigma against sex work to taking care of their bodies.Â â€œThe minority stress of sex work is essentially a result of the ways society responds to and subjects sex workers to higher rates of violence and rejection related to their work,â€ says Bloomquist.