A New Look at Prostitution

One important aspect surrounding the issue of prostitution is the distinction between forced prostitution or trafficking, and voluntary prostitution. Arguments arise about whether or not prostitution is a human right, or even ever a choice. Jo Doezema, author of Forced to Choose: Beyond the Voluntary v. Forced Prostituion Dichotomy, speaks out about recognizing the differences between force and choice, and looking at human rights and the rights of sex workers in new, innovative ways. She discusses the implications and consequences for sex workers’ rights when viewing prostitution in various frameworks, and that even through dividing sex work into two strict categories (”forced” and “voluntary”), sex workers are denied rights. Many feminists disagree with the various issues and definitions surrounding these topics. Those who claim that prostitution is a legitimate profession also hold the ideology that respecting this profession is respecting the right to self-determination. These beliefs are becoming addressed more often with regards to women’s rights, and violence against women.

Throughout history, women who were suspected of being “common prostitutes” were arrested and sent to special medical centres specifically for “whores”. Prostitutes were seen as victims of men’s sexual urges, who needed to be rescued. The “rescue paradigm” is a term and an issue discussed in Aili Mari Tripp’s piece, Challenges in Transnational Feminist Mobilization. Tripp argues that stressing peoples’ need for help actually results in ignoring them altogether. It denounces peoples’ abilities, intelligence and fails to view them as potential partners. It also results in exaggerating the power of those attempting to help, and making them seem superior.

In Mirha-Soleil Ross’ article, Dear John, Ross discusses the “othering” of men when it comes to the subject of prostitution. While it is important to recognize the necessary role men play in the sex industry, Ross gives a new point of view as she shows that not all of the men who participate in prostitution are the stereotypical dirty, obscene perverts. Many are men who would not stand out in a crowd, who have legitimate feelings, care for their families, and some who need emotional outlets. It is easy to simply address the men’s role in prostitution and start to put the blame on them, in order to defend women. Men are necessary counterparts in the sex industry, however, if we are stating that it is unfair to misrepresent and stereotype all prostitutes, then it is also unfair to stereotype all clients.

Doezema discusses the specifics regarding putting prostitutes into dichotomous groups as the “whores” and the “madonnas”. Through this, assumptions are actually being made about who qualifies as legitimate victims, or real women. Many tend to assume the “whores” to be women who are perceived to have the complete choice regarding becoming part of the sex industry, and the “madonnas” as those who are forced into sex work. These are dangerous assumptions, because they can result in ignoring certain women based on ignorant opinions.

Later, stories became publicized about forced prostitution and sex trafficking of women. The most horrifying aspects of stories were spread, and often exaggerated and fabricated. This was mostly done in order to gain sympathy from middle class Christians,
in an attempt to purify society from women engaged in prostitution. This illustrates the “othering” of prostitutes, throughout history to the present. Women who work in the sex industry are looked down upon as if they need sympathy and to be saved, and are ignorant towards their own rights. They are also looked down upon in the sense that they are put into the lowest category of society.

More recently, prostitution issues have been at the top of national agenda once again. New waves of feminist based campaigns against sex trafficking, children prostitution and sex tourism have risen. However, a main disagreement between
feminists is what “control of women’s bodies in women’s hands” means. Many feminists also disagree about whether or not prostitution can be considered a profession, and whether or not it is all a human rights violation.

Rather than focusing on “saving” women, or focusing on the dangerous risks
involved in the sex trade industry, it is important to raise awareness about the risks while avoiding looking down on any person’s lifestyle. By looking down on certain people, we are in fact illustrating them as lower parts of society.