A Woman’s Place in the Sex Industry
By Laura Halliday
As early as the 18th century, the sex work industry and its role in the global capitalist market has been a topic of much debate among feminists. Now in the year 2020, sexual desire – typically a personal, intimate aspect of peoples’ lives – is becoming increasingly more public due to the sex industry. With pornography and prostitution gradually becoming more ‘acceptable’ and ‘mainstream’ in some western countries, it begs the question, should women be supporting the blatant objectification of women?
I envision a society where women have the freedom to make their own choices, and the sex work industry represents the free choices women can have in relation to their body, labour and sexuality. However, the main disagreement about the sex industry that I have with friends, family and people I talk to when I’m drunk at parties, is whether or not it is freeing women or degrading them.
In the past, the sex industry has focused purely on male power and the denigration of women, seeing women as sex objects that are less than human, with early feminists arguing that the treatment of human beings as tools for the purpose of another is morally problematic. And whilst at first glance I have to agree with this conclusion, it is important to recognise that this treatment is a result of the underlying patriarchal structure that exists in our world. Just look at the sex industry, its largely catered towards men.
So, if women are already reduced to sexual objects that solely exist to feed male sexual desire (the male gaze), then why shouldn’t women exploit this unbalanced and corrupt society?
Feminist author and artist, Florence Given, states in her new book titled Women Don’t Owe You Pretty that ‘a woman who has no shame of her sexuality…and is capable of harnessing her objectification for her own financial gain or self-empowerment is a threat to capitalism and the status quo’.
Pornography in the 21st century has developed from the typical gender and sexual roles that we have seen for pretty much eternity which shouldn’t come as much of a shock now that female pleasure has become more socially acceptable. TV and film are finally depicting quality tales of female masturbation and pleasure (yay!). But I am by no means saying that is accepted everywhere. The amount of conversations I have overheard or been a part of that still demonstrate the taboo idea that women don’t enjoy sex is shocking.
To most, female sexuality is defined by what the male desire requires for arousal and satisfaction, with sexuality being a social construct of male power: defined by men, forced on women. These archaic principles are to no surprise sustaining the sex industry and are the same principles that underpin the gender inequalities in our society. The global society has to overcome the discriminatory prejudice around female sexuality and challenge the cultural assumptions that have sustained the industry for centuries for dramatic change to take place.
Whilst pornography is an expression of creativity and offers a platform for those to explore their own sexuality, free of guilt and social norms, a large amount of it distributes a negative opinion of women.
A recent study by the University of Auckland found that pornography has been labelled as a source of ‘sexist education’ for young men. The study outlined that the use of pornography is slowly desensitizing men on the issue of rape, abuse and discrimination towards women.
In order for real change to occur in the sex work industry, all women need to gain autonomy and freedom of choice with their employment decisions that ensure moderation, control and respect amongst workers. There are changes slowly starting to occur within the pornography industry that allow for women to explore and express their sexual desires which proves that some progress has been made.
