I can think of a additional explanation for why sex work is demeaned in our society (and I wholeheartedly agree with Wotjek that it is not merely a gender issue). First, one has to agree that sex work is a highly economically
stratified profession with, however, the greater percent of sex workers living on the economic margins. And Americans, I think, don't have too much problem with sex workers who represent the American success story. "Call girls" are generally benignly perceived by many Americans, and certainly by Hollywood. Those who've achieved wealth and/or fame, such as the Mayflower Madame, Xaviar Hollender, Heidi Fliess, et al, are quite admired for their spunk and initiative. It's just that many (and if not most, then the most visible) sex workers do exist on the margins, and Americans have a culturally ingrained revulsion towards perceived failure or loser-dom. Americans love a winner and will shun perceived losers almost out of a fear that failure is itself contagious. And because economic marginality causes cognitive dissonance for Americans who like to believe that in this country anyone who works hard can achieve success, they are quick to blame the poor for their own misery. Thus "street walkers," like welfare mothers, are viewed with public scorn. Which is why it's so damn impossible to develop any serious left in this country. Too damn many people think that if they can properly admire Bill Gates, their lives will also be blessed with success.
Regards,
Ingrid
Yoshie Furuhashi wrote:
> Wojtek wrote:
> >On the other hand, I wonder why sex work is demeaned in our society - I do
> >not think it is only a gender issue, for male sex workers can't boast high
> >occupational prestige either. I think it may have something to do with
> >cheap sentimentalism in our perception of sex, and moral outrage when that
> >sentimentalism is being stripped off by transparent pecuniary motives.
> >After all, money does stink :)
>
> Demeaning of sex workers plays two functions: (1) glorification of paid
> employment, of _any_ work other than sex work; and (2) letting marriage off
> the hook.
>
> Moralism and sentimentalism of the kind Wojtek speaks of regarding our
> perception of sex makes us think that while receiving pay for sex is
> unnatural and to be condemned, receiving pay for any other line of work is
> natural and commendable. Special moral condemnation heaped on sex workers
> has an effect of making wage labor other than sex work seem moral.
>
> Also, marriage between partners of unequal economic standings is little
> different from prostitution, except that in marriage, women are expected to
> not only perform sex work but also house work, care-giving work, etc....all
> in the name of 'love.' Demeaning of sex work has an effect of romanticizing
> marriage.
>
> Yoshie