The Changing Social and Legal Context of Sexual Commerce - Why Regulation Matters

Abstract

This volume seeks to respond to a particular moment in the study of commercial sex and its governance, pinpointed by an unprecedented rise in, and increased visibility of, sexual commerce and consumption and corresponding growth in associated forms of regulation. Whilst common themes of controlling sexuality and changes in regulatory frameworks knit these papers into a coherent collection, the diversity of sex markets covered (male sex work, men who buy sex, pornography, bar dancing, legalized brothels and sex shops) echoes the nuisances of the 'sex industry' and challenges traditional academic concentration on narrow forms of prostitution. We discuss these dynamics in the context of post- industrial transformations of culture and sexuality in which what has been described as an 'unbridled ethic of sexual consumption' and 'soaring demand' for a variety of forms of commercial sex are symptomatic of the way in which sexual commerce commerce is increasingly 'specialized and diversified along technological, spacial, and social lines'. This leads to more visible availability in, and demand for, pornography, lap dancing, escorts, telephone sex, and sexual tourism, especially in developing countries.