SOC 112 Milestone Three

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Milestone Three Molly Strempfer Southern New Hampshire University SOC 112: Introduction to Sociology Suzanne Sutphin February 11, 2024

Creating Connections The nature of social stigma surrounding the profession of sex work is the leading cause of violence towards sex workers. Social stigma is defined as, “…an attribute that is deeply discrediting,” reducing the possessor of the stigmatized attribute “from a whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted one (Goffman 1963 as cited in Grittner & Walsh, 2020, p.1654.)” Additionally, stigma is centered on maintaining social order. Sex work is defined as, “…the exchange of sexual activity for goods or money between two consenting adults. (Desyllas 2013; Sloan and Wahab 2000 as cited in Grittner & Walsh, 2020, p.1654.)” This can include, but is not limited to, prostitution, pornography, exotic dancing, sexual domination, and various internet services such as OnlyFans. The phenomenon of stigma leads to violence due to stigmatization devaluing and dehumanizing sex workers and creates a culture that normalizes violence against them, which shows the need for societal and political changes that encourages the elimination of social stigma that surrounds the occupation of sex work. Cultural The first cultural belief that many believe about sex work is that it is inherently harmful to all involved or that all sex workers are forced into this particular line of work. However, sex work actually exists on a continuum in which at one end of the continuum, sex workers choose sex work of their own free volition where they possess individual choice and control sexual exchanges. This end of the continuum reflects symbolic interactionist theory as sex workers and their customers have various understands of their own behaviors and justifying the exchange of sex and money as helping one another. Whereas on the other end of the continuum, an individual’s choices and control over their situation are nonexistent for the sex worker

(McCarthy, 2014 p. 3-5). This end of the continuum is representative of conflict theory as sex work reflects economic inequality in society. Feminist conflict theory states that sex work not only results from a women’s poverty, but also from a societies patriarchal culture that views men as the dominant figures in a heterosexual relationship. Another cultural belief is that sex workers should expect and accept violence against them as it is a risky line of work. One customer stated that, “When there is violence, it is mostly the prostitute’s fault. See, I am going to buy something. If I am satisfied with what I am buying, then why should I be violent? I will be violent when I am cheated, when I am offered a substandard service. … Sometimes violence is because the prostitute wants the client to use condoms. They force it on the client. He will naturally be disgruntled and there will be altercations.” – ( O’Connell & Davidson 2003, 58, as cited in Berth, 2018 ) However, social stigma is the actual cause of violence against sex workers. Grittner and Walsh (2020,) posit that existing power structures in society perpetuate the process of stigma and dictate the model of how people should behave, thereby preserving a hierarchy that places female sex workers in a marginalized position are also the structural roots of stigma against sex workers. Social Roles The role of the sex worker includes exchanging sexual services for goods or money and can take on many social roles depending on the type of sex work they perform. Several types of sex workers exist, one-fifth of these are known as “streetwalkers ( Social Problems: Continuity and Change , 2010/2015).” This type of sex worker usually finds their customers on the street and perform the exchange in the customer’s car, an alley, or cheap motel. This type of sex work is highly dangerous and many sex workers in this position find themselves deep in poverty and

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