Prostitution Policy: Revolutionizing Practice through a Gendered Perspective

by Lenore Kuo

Overview

While widely acknowledged as the world's oldest profession, and often glamorized or demonized in the media, prostitution is a critical part of American culture and its economy, as well as a social problem in need of an updated public policy.
In Prostitution Policy, Lenore Kuo combines feminist social research and legal studies to tackle issues raised by heterosexual prostitution in the U.S. Through the lens of feminist theory, Kuo examines the milieu of prostitutes and the role of prostitution in contemporary society, and how the interplay of those two works itself out in practice.
Moving beyond theoretical analysis of prostitution, Prostitution Policy turns to the complicated problem of formulating a reasonable legal policy that minimizes harm. Kuo discusss criminalization, legalization, and decriminalization as possible approaches, ultimately arguing for a unique form of decriminalization including detailed legal oversight and mandatory social services.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814747919
Publisher:	New York University Press
Publication date:	09/01/2005
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

Lenore Kuo is the Nancy Rowell Jackman Chair professor of women's studies at Mount St. Vincent Universityin Nova Scotia.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
1 Contextualizing the Discussion: Feminism and Policy Analysis
2 A Sexually Charged Context, the Feminist “Sex Wars,” and Prostitution Defined
3 The Intrinsic Character of Heterosexual Activity and Prostitution
4 Sexuality and Prostitution as Conceptual Constructs
5 The Practice of Heterosexuality and Heterosexual Prostitution
6 The “Ideal” Character of Heterosex/Intercourse and Prostitution
7 Evolving a Policy—Legal Status
8 The Feminist Debate
9 Prostitution Solution: Policy Recommendations
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Kuo presents a carefully argued set of proposals for a feminist public policy on adult heterosexual prostitution. Kuo believes that the ultimate aim of feminist policy should not be to abolish adult heterosexual prostitution but rather radically to transform it. She therefore recommends not only legal solutions but also many extra-legal governmental supports for sex workers. Kuo’s uniquely comprehensive and systematic proposals provide an indispensable standard for all future discussions of adult heterosexual prostitution policy.”
-Alison M. Jaggar,University of Colorado, Boulder

“Kuo’s inclusion of international data and diverse prostitutes’ voices is distinctly valuable and her policy recommendations most thought-provoking. This book is an important contribution to the feminist dialogue on prostitution policy. It permits us to move beyond the standard oppression versus choice arguments to other, less polarized perspectives on prostitution.”
-Rosemarie Tong,University of North Carolina, Charlotte

“An interesting and enlightening read on one of today’s hottest topics.”

-Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare

,

“Kuo is a careful, thoughtful writer. She is a fine researcher and dedicated to this project as she defines it.”
-Canadian Journal of Women and the Law

Editorial Reviews

"Kuo is a careful, thoughtful writer. She is a fine researcher and dedicated to this project as she defines it."

Canadian Journal of Women and the Law

"Kuo presents a carefully argued set of proposals for a feminist public policy on adult heterosexual prostitution. Kuo believes that the ultimate aim of feminist policy should not be to abolish adult heterosexual prostitution but rather radically to transform it. She therefore recommends not only legal solutions but also many extra-legal governmental supports for sex workers. Kuos uniquely comprehensive and systematic proposals provide an indispensable standard for all future discussions of adult heterosexual prostitution policy."

Alison M. Jaggar

"An interesting and enlightening read on one of todays hottest topics"

Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare

"Kuos inclusion of international data and diverse prostitutes voices is distinctly valuable and her policy recommendations most thought-provoking. This book is an important contribution to the feminist dialogue on prostitution policy. It permits us to move beyond the standard oppression versus choice arguments to other, less polarized perspectives on prostitution."

Rosemarie Tong

Kuo’s inclusion of international data and diverse prostitutes’ voices is distinctly valuable and her policy recommendations most thought-provoking. This book is an important contribution to the feminist dialogue on prostitution policy. It permits us to move beyond the standard oppression versus choice arguments to other, less polarized perspectives on prostitution.”
-Rosemarie Tong,University of North Carolina, Charlotte

“An interesting and enlightening read on one of today’s hottest topics.”

-Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare

From the Publisher