THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES AND THE POLITICS OF SEX TRAFFICKING Chapter 2

What is a Theoretical perspective? General statement about reality Way of looking at the world An “explanation”– attempts to explain why certain conditions of society exist Can be used to guide targeted change, as the explanation may work to uncover the roots of the problem

Question What is feminism? What is a feminist?

What is Feminism? Feminists recognize sex and gender inequality when confronted with it, and work to change it, with the goal of equal power, opportunity, and status among the sexes. There are different types of feminists, who differ in their conceptualizations of sex/gender inequality and/or ways of eradicating it

Feminist Perspectives of Sexual Commerce Liberal Feminism Radical Feminism Intersectional Feminism Transnational Feminism

Liberal Feminism (General) “Choice” feminism Examines sex/gender dynamics that frame choice Eradicate gender inequality by supporting free choice, structurally and interpersonally

Liberal Feminist Perspectives of Sexual Commerce Focus on choice to control one’s own body, Including selling sex Empowerment paradigm Challenges traditional femininity and suppressed sexuality

Liberal Feminist Perspectives of Sexual Commerce Sex Work- Commercial sex is viewed as a job, just another form of labor Agency- People willingly trade or sell sex; agency is denied when this choice is taken away Victimization- Acknowledges disproportionate victimization of sex workers, maintain this is heightened by illegality Role of the State- State should not control women’s bodies, women should Sex work and Sex trafficking are viewed as distinct, sex trafficking involves force, fraud, coercion or minors. Sex work does not.

Radical Feminism (General) “Greater good” or “essentialist” feminism, focus on providing the greatest benefit to the most women Focus on patriarchy embedded in social institutions and in daily life Eradicate sex/gender inequality by eradicating male dominant culture, social structure, and in interpersonal relationships

Radical Feminist Perspectives of Sexual Commerce Sexual commerce is gendered; disproportionately sexually objectifies and commodifies women and girls, reflecting and resulting in gender inequality Oppression paradigm Sexual commerce supports traditional sexism, where women are reduced to body parts, viewed as property, sexual outlets, or there to serve men.

Radical Feminist Perspectives of Sexual Commerce Sexual Exploitation, Prostituted People, Sex Trafficking- Commercial sex is viewed as a form of oppression and male violence against women. Agency- When women’s and girls’ bodies are commodified, it affects all women and girls who are seen as sex objects. The free choice of a smaller proportion of women who willingly choose to sell sex should not trump the effects on the majority. Victimization- Highlights disproportionate victimization of those involved in commercial sex Role of the State- If the State allows commercial sex, it supports objectification of women’s and girls’ bodies, denying agency in broader societal context. Sex work and Sex trafficking are viewed as indistinct,

Intersectional Feminism (General) Our unique identities intersect to inform our experiences Race, class, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, abilities.... Critique of essentialist approaches as primarily benefiting white, cis, heterosexual, middle/ upper-class women and girls (both liberal and radical feminism have histories of exclusion) Focus on Identity-based oppression Include men and boys, gender-nonconforming people in analysis along with women and girls Eradicate gender inequality while eradicating all forms of inequality simultaneously

Intersectional Feminist Perspectives of Sexual Commerce Examines the role of identity based oppression (micro and macro) in increased likelihood of commercial sex involvement Identity based oppression increases risk of sex trafficking Acknowledges nuances of commercial sex involvement Commercial sex seen as a job opportunity for those with fewer choices Viewed as empowering by some intersectional feminists, a reflection of oppression by others, and still others note both oppression and agency operating simultaneously Critique of the “Ideal Victim”

Question Take our your phones and google sex trafficking, click on images. What do you see? What would this lead you to believe about sex trafficking (e.g., characteristics of those victimized, nature of victimization, etc.)

Intersectional Feminist Perspectives of Sexual Commerce Agency- Focuses on how intersecting identities impact choices, in commercial sex involvement, barriers to help seeking, criminalization, and service provision Victimization- Acknowledges disproportionate victimization of those involved in commercial sex, notes this is heightened based on identity-based oppression Role of the State- Structural discrimination and marginalization perpetuates commercial sex involvement as a job/ means of survival Sex work and Sex trafficking are viewed in nuanced ways, acknowledging and centering discussion and responses in the context of marginalized groups

Transnational Feminism Critique of western feminism Whose voice? Who is the referent/ by whose standard? Importance of context Examine the role of global capitalism Calls for locally grounded contextualized analysis highlighting the voices of those affected

Political Perspectives of Sexual Commerce Neoliberal Abolitionist

Neoliberal Perspectives of Sexual Commerce Freedom from the constraints of the state Individuals should have a right to sell various aspects of their sexuality, such as in pornography and prostitution, if they choose Sexual labor is viewed as a form of sexual freedom or financial opportunity Neoliberal critiques of anti-trafficking movement-- inflation of the magnitude of the problem, use of horror stories/inaccurate depiction of typical cases, conflating sex work and sex trafficking, lack of nuance

Abolitionist Perspective of Sexual Commerce Abolitionism refers to the movement to end slavery Sex trafficking is viewed as a form of “modern-day-slavery” All commercial sex involvement is viewed as an affront to human rights Abolitionists generally wish to abolish sex trafficking, prostitution, and pornography simultaneously, as they are viewed as human rights abuses

Overlapping perspectives Radical feminism and abolitionism Liberal feminism and neoliberalism Yet there are Important differences among these pairings What are they?

Sociological Perspectives Study of societies Social Institutions Inequality Culture

Nichols Weak Social Institutions Perspective Model of heightened risk Weak social institutions combined with weak social safety nets lead to an environment conducive to sex trafficking vulnerability Those of marginalized identities are disproportionately exposed to weak social institutions and social safety nets, thus at heightened risk

Nichols Weak Social Institutions Perspective Weak Family Systems (IPV, child abuse, neglect=> Runaway Homelessness Nichols Weak Social Institutions Perspective Weak Education Systems=> Truancy, Drop out, low Graduation, high student mobility rates Intersecting Identities/ Identity Based Oppression [Race, Class, Gender Identity, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Ethnicity, Undocumented Status] Weak Economic Systems => low SES,/Poverty, homelessness Weak Healthcare Systems=> inaccess to substance abuse/mental health care Environment Conducive to Sex Trafficking Vulnerability Weak Social Institutions The Family Education Systems Economic Systems Healthcare Systems CJ Systems Politics/Government Weak Social Safety Nets Supports for accessing substance abuse care, mental healthcare, general healthcare; Unemployment, welfare, Minimum wage as living wage, social services Weak CJ Systems => Felony Record, Distrust of Police, Fear of Criminalization, Inequality in police response Weak Politics/Gov => Inadequate Legislation/ Revictimizing Legislation

Criminological Perspectives Study of law making, law breaking, and the social response to crime Deterrence Displacement Rehabilitation Prevention

Discussion Questions Describe the distinctions between neoliberal and abolitionist perspectives of sexual commerce. Does one perspective appeal more or less to you? Why? Describe the dynamics of agency and victimization in liberal, intersectional, and radical feminist perspectives. How might a sociological perspective be used to guide prevention of sex trafficking?