Comparing Client Attitudes in Different Prostitution Markets

• In Event: 343 - Section on Sociology of Sexualities Paper Session. Sexual Commerce and Intimate Markets (co-sponsored with Section on Sex and Gender)

Abstract

Calls to “end demand” for prostitution assume that demand for prostitution reflects gendered, misogynistic attitudes. Recent research finds different markets for prostitution exist in different cultural and economic contexts, affected by globalization, neoliberalism, and consumer culture (Hoang 2015; Bernstein 2007; Brents, Jackson & Hausbeck 2010; Cheng 2014; Sanders & Hardy 2014). Few studies have systematically examined the attitudes of prostitution clients in these different contexts.
In this study we compare different markets for prostitution through two surveys. First, we conducted an online survey of two groups of clients, 1) “hobbyist” groups and individual clients of Nevada’s legal brothels and 2) clients of illegal prostitution. Second, we compare these groups to client and non-client attitudes in the National Opinion Research Center’s General Social Survey (NORC-GSS). We examine three key dimensions of client attitudes – attitudes toward women, deviant risk-taking behavior, and neoliberal attitudes on individualism, tolerance and self-expression. We also present data from the online survey on clients’ demographic information and consumption patterns with both legal and illegal prostitution. As of January 1, 2016, the survey had 422 responses. Preliminary findings show significant differences in the two groups of clients, particularly regarding risk-taking behaviors and attitudes of tolerance. In addition, we find a small but significant presence of female clients. Findings challenge currently accepted wisdom that all clients hold negative attitudes toward women, and introduces a new perspective of contemporary sexual consumerism, in which neoliberal values include viewing sex as a freely tradable commodity.

Authors

• Barbara G. Brents, University of Nevada-Las Vegas

• Andrew Lawrence Spivak, University of Nevada-Las Vegas

• Christina Parreira, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Alessandra Lanti, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Jennifer Whitmer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Olesya Vengar, University of Nevada, Las Vegas