Producing the Acceptable Sex Worker: An Analysis of Media Representations

Producing the Acceptable Sex Worker explores how sex work is produced in news media narratives, focusing on an emerging discourse of acceptability for some sex workers in New Zealand. This acceptability is established in comparison to other types of sex workers, resulting in a redistribution of stigma but not a reduction. The conditions attached to acceptability reflect persistent anxieties about prostitution, such as workers needing to give the impression that the sexual labor of the job is enjoyable and indistinguishable from their personal life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Producing the Acceptable Sex Worker delves into the intricate dynamics of how sex work is portrayed in news media narratives, serving as a primary source of information for the general public, particularly those who have limited firsthand encounters with the industry. By examining the case of New Zealand, the book explores a burgeoning discourse of acceptability for a specific segment of sex workers, primarily those engaged in low-volume indoor work. This acceptance is measured against other types of sex workers, leading to a reshuffling but not a diminution of stigma. The conditions that underpin acceptability reflect ongoing concerns surrounding prostitution, emphasizing the need for workers to convey the impression that their sexual labor is not only enjoyable but also seamlessly integrated into their personal lives. Unacceptable workers face heightened marginalization due to their association with the industry, with migrant sex workers often portrayed as deceitful or exploitative, and transgender women's involvement in the industry being used to deny them access to public spaces.

The conditions attached to acceptability shed light on how neoliberal postfeminist discourses of choice, desire, authenticity, and personal responsibility shape the public perception of sex work. These discourses construct sex work as a matter of individual agency and empowerment, where workers are free to choose their profession and exercise control over their sexual experiences. However, this portrayal obscures the structural and systemic factors that contribute to the prevalence and marginalization of sex work, such as poverty, discrimination, and the criminalization of sex work.

By examining the production of acceptability in news media narratives and its implications for the lives of sex workers, Producing the Acceptable Sex Worker offers a critical analysis of the societal attitudes and policies that perpetuate stigma and discrimination against this marginalized community. The book challenges readers to consider the complexities and nuances of sex work and to advocate for policies that prioritize the safety, rights, and well-being of all sex workers, regardless of their occupation or identity.

Weight: 503g
Dimension: 227 x 160 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538165140