Sex tourism is indeed a global problem, and the fact that many women are involved in sex work shows that prostitution, while illegal and also disgusting, is still has prominence in the span of human sexuality. Sex work is not only an immoral practice, it also has health risks pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases, and the fact that many men take advantage of these women only proves how vastly unequal our society is. These men are paying an inordinate amount of money to travel to a foreign country, and in order for a few sexual encounters that will most likely leave them unfulfilled and undignified, and the women submit to the acts of men, and even in circumstances providing them with short term companionship. It is interesting to see how both Havana and Amsterdam differ in how they culture around prostitution has developed, but more importantly it is a look at how gendered the world is.
Men, mostly white and western, are the main participators in the sex trade. Why? Because it is an adventurous escape into a different culture and has a certain thrill that they would not be able to receive anywhere else. It also provides them with the sexual freedom that they would not have in the west; one where they aren't inhibited by the laws of their country and have to abide by them and be safe. It is appalling that these men find it so easy to just take advantage of these struggling women in order to fulfill their sexual fantasies. The women who are putting themselves out there are very vulnerable due to their economic statuses. I find it hard to justify compensation for sex, even if these women are able to live off of their income from their exploits. In the end, these situations only prove how much power men have over women, and how little progress has come in the equalization of the sexes. As the article stated, this focuses exclusively on the sex trade where women are producers and men are consumers, but this is the largest of them all and it is awful how these women's bodies are viewed merely as products for the men to consume.
Emily Hunter-I agree with Dakota in stating that women place their health in great danger when engaging in sex work given the high rates of STD’s. Even when prostitutes have the right to control whether protection is used, there is mostly an unspoken pressure by the consumer to not use a condom because “it doesn’t feel as good”. This unspoken pressure (not only seen in sex work, but in all aspects of sexual relations) is just another way in which women lose agency in sexual matters and are forced to appease the desires of the man, even if the woman is not comfortable doing so and ultimately reveals the overarching power dynamic seen in heterosexual relationships.
ReplyDeleteI also like how Dakota interpreted this article as showing how gendered the world actually is. The fact that two different countries of different economic status could develop sex tourism that showed identical gender roles does reveal the fact that not only specific countries, but most of the world is gendered. Finally, I agree with Dakota in saying it is disturbing that men are willing to accept women as being treated solely as commodities. If they themselves would not enjoy being treated like a “piece of meat” then why should they have the right to treat women as objects of desire?
Dakota, I agree with you and emily. The risk for these STD's is a lot due to the unspoken pressure to not use a condom. It is dangerous and it is terrible that many men will let this happen and think of the women's body as on like an object. Dakota I also really liked your point on how western men sometimes use the sex trade to get away from their culture becuase it is something they are not allowed to do. And the short sexual encounter is sometimes used to fill a hole some men have of having a companion. Emily you mention the pressure to not use a condom even if the women holds the right to choose. It is hard to not think how much pressure these men have on women during the act and how some of the women might actually really need the money. After reading the posts and the article it shows how sex trade can easily be looked past but once it is brought to ones attention it becomes clear of how bad a problem it is.
ReplyDelete^ Ry Hormel
DeleteI agree with both Dakota and Emily. The health risks are high, and there is no real way to monitor and truly protect these women from STD’s one hundred percent of the time. The motives behind why women participate in prostitution and why men do are completely different and I think that’s why I see it as such a problem. The women prostitutes are struggling to make a living and survive. And the men, who pay to engage in sexual activities with these women, are looking to, as Dakota said, “fulfill their sexual fantasies”. These two reasons for participating in prostitution are complete opposites and I think that’s why so many people have are against it.
ReplyDelete-Tina Seretta
John G - "Because it is an adventurous escape into a different culture and has a certain thrill that they would not be able to receive anywhere else." I think Dakota hits it on the head perfectly in saying this. That is essentially what this business is all about, and it will continue to be a thriving business until somehow someday someone finds a way to shut it all down. (Don't see that happening in the near future though...) - I also think your right when bringing up the danger in sex tourism and prostitution (disease).. It should be the first thing that comes to someones mind when trying to decide if they want to fool around with a prostitute. Awful diseases can be spread this way, and from there only spread more so. So many issues and concerns with sex tourism, and Dakota I think you did a nice job touching on some of the main points.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the current scandal going on right now that is all over the news. Apparently, US secret service members have paid prostitutes in Columbia for sex. Homeland security has launched an investigation into the matter. It makes me wonder, if the allegations are true, are these secret service members sex tourists of other countries as well? Their power and work must bring them many places, so I wouldn't be surprised if they've done this elsewhere.
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DeleteMike I wish I knew, too. The current talk about the secret service men really makes me sick. It is so hard to believe in our government now, and I really want to because I think Obama is so smart! But how do you comfort a national of people about an issue surrounding the people who are supposed to protect the nation's president and thus the nation?
Delete-Molly B
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