What kind of abuses are sex workers at risk of?

The directions for this paper are as follows.
Standard Formatting: Times New Roman, 12pt font, double spaced, 1-inch margins.
Writing assignments are to be completed in either MLA (Modern Language Association) Style or APA
(American Psychological Association) Style. Please choose one and be consistent.
Header: Four lines in the upper left-hand corner including 1) Your Name, 2) Politics of Sex Work, 3)
WGS3800-080, Spring 2022 and 4) Final Paper.
Questions: Please indicate which question you are answering at the outset of your paper—e.g.,
Question 3: [Insert question].
References: You may use the readings and materials provided in class as well as any outside sources.
Please note, it is unlikely that you will be able to provide adequate answers using only the materials
provided in class. Appropriate referencing is required. Papers should include 5-10 Works Cited total and at least 2 citations per page. This is the minimum requirement.
Failure to use quotation marks for direct quotes or citations for indirect quotes or other ideas may result
in a “0” for the paper and or “F” for the course.
Spelling and Grammar: Please do a basic spelling and grammar check. Although there will not be a
high premium on spelling and grammar, blatant mistakes, lack of capitalization and sloppy presentation
will affect your grade negatively.
Submission: Please submit the final paper electronically via Blackboard. This is required for grading
purposes. Final papers are due on Wednesday, May 11th.
PLEASE ANSWER ONE OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
Answers should be minimum 5 pages in length, (not including references!)
1. Sex work or prostitution – what’s the difference? Why use the term sex work instead of
prostitution? What do sex workers do? Why do sex workers do this work? Why is sex work not
considered real work? How does sex work compare to other forms of work?
2. What kind of abuses are sex workers at risk of? How do we help sex workers or what has made a
difference in the lives of sex workers? What does the policy say governments should do to stop this
abuse? Do these policies differ from what sex workers say they need?
3. What is the commercial sex industry? How is it defined? Why has it grown exponentially over the
past 40 years? What are legitimate sex industries versus illegitimate sex industries? What are the
“grey areas”? What are some parasitical industries commercial sex? Why do “grey areas” and
parasitical industries matter?
4. What is computer-mediated or virtual sex work? What types of sex work are included under this
term? What are some of the benefits of either engaging in or advertising sex work virtually? What
are some of the ways virtual sex work can be harmful? Do the benefits of virtual sex work
outweigh the costs?
5. Discuss the intersecting inequalities faced by sex workers—e.g., race, gender, sexuality,
disability, class, citizenship, etc. What explanations do feminist, race, queer, and anti-capitalist
theories have to offer about the sex industry? What is their take on sex workers and how they
should be viewed and treated? (Choose one or two to explore).
What is the difference between sex trafficking and prostitution? Who are the victims of sex trafficking? Are they different from those who engage in sex work? Is it at all possible to look at sex trafficking and sex work separately? Is there a need for delinking sex work from trafficking?
7. What position do abolitionist take when it comes to sex trafficking and prostitution? What are the historical roots of (neo) abolition? What position do neoregulationist take when it comes to sex trafficking and prostitution? What role does woman’s agency play in these two positions? How do these positions influence prostitution policies around the world?
8. What is the Nordic model? How does it approach sex work and prostitution? Who is criminalized under the Nordic model? Who is not criminalized? Why or why not? What are the Nordic models success claims? What are the criticisms of the Nordic model? How does the Nordic model have the potential to be harmful to women engaged in sex work?
9. How is the legalization of sex work different to decriminalization? What does the decriminalization of sex work mean? Is decriminalizing sex work enough or do we need to legalize sex work as a profession? Doesn’t decriminalizing sex work just encourage sex trafficking?

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