Feminist Sex Wars - Anti-prostitution and Sex-positive Views On Prostitution

Anti-prostitution and Sex-positive Views On Prostitution

Feminist views on prostitution are one example of the division between anti-prostitution and sex-positive feminists. The anti-prostitution feminists argue that prostitutes are victims of a patriarchal society forced into sex work because they have no other alternative. They argue further that prostitution is a problem that must be contextualized within a patriarchal and capitalist society. Although reasons for becoming a prostituted female are complex, many women are motivated by economic necessity. One woman pointed out that “hooking is the only job for which women as a group are paid more than men”. This does not indicate women are becoming rich by engaging in prostitution. In fact, almost all of the money prostitutes make is used and controlled by pimps. Women who are struggling with poverty may turn to prostitution as a way to provide for themselves or their families, a last resort when they have few other opportunities. It is important to notice that in a patriarchal society, women are a disadvantaged group. The social context of patriarchy gives women fewer opportunities and leaves them more likely to be in a position of economic need; given these circumstances they ‘choose’ to participate in prostitution because it is one of the seemingly few options available.

Anti-prostitution feminists point out prostitution is obviously harmful in many ways to those who are directly involved in it. Prostitution spreads sexually transmitted diseases and threatens health. It also involves violence towards prostitutes either by pimps or clients. According to a study done in 2003, “violence is the norm for women in prostitution”. Women as a group are oppressed and harmed by prostitution even when they are not directly involved in it. Objectifying women through prostitution sends the message that men can buy a woman’s body. They have the power in the ‘relationship’ because they are buying it. Scott Anderson explains, “prostitution plays a key role in sustaining the social inequality of women. It does so by defining women in general as sexual objects, available to any man who desires them”. Similarly, prostitution legitimizes men’s demand for sex through the presence of coercion and rape of prostituted women. The nature of prostitution gives men power and control in the sexual ‘relationship’.

The sex-positive perspective sees prostitutes as active agents in their lives and work and embraces more open views of sexuality and pleasure. It argues that women have power within the sexual experience of prostitution because they control the services and fees. They are seen as sexually liberated and may enjoy their work. Although there is not an easy way to quantify how much control and enjoyment any prostitute has over her work, sex-positive feminists also emphasize that, from a humanist perspective, individuals should have the right to choose their work, including the choice of prostitution. They argue that sex work is not inherently exploitive or degrading and that there is much variation in the situation of sex workers. Most sex-positive feminists do recognize that women working as prostitutes face difficult realities of violence and possible criminal implications. This group often suggests the decriminalization of prostitution, which would allow prostitutes to organize and give them greater protection of health and safety. Decriminalization would allow sex work to be regulated, giving women more protection.