Final readings Flashcards
Week 9 - Burke/Miller Macphee - “Constructing Pornography Addictions Harms in Science, Media, Politics”
- how the media/political narrative frames pornography as biologically addictive
- scientific studies are less likely to support the relationship between pornography addiction and these harms compared to news articles and political documents
- focus on men in neuro-physiological research, coupled with the frequent findings of negative effects associated with male pornography consumption, further strengthens the assumption of men’s biological predisposition to pornography addiction. perpetuates the stereotype of men having innate and uncontrollable sexual urges while implying that women lack such strong desires.
identifies 4 categories of harm:
- Harm to the consumer
includes consequences related to the emotional, physical, spiritual, or social well-being of individuals. most frequently cited harm in all sources, as addiction itself is considered a medicalized consequence. Examples include low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, brain damage, and sexually transmitted infections - terms like “cravings” and “preoccupation” - Harm to men’s relationship with women
negative impact of pornography consumption on romantic relationships between men and women. examples include marital conflict, infidelity, delayed marriage, and objectification of women. all state resolutions imply harm to man-woman relationships, with some suggesting that pornography use contributes to declining marriage rates and a decreased desire in young men to marry. - Harm to Lawful Behaviour
suggests that pornography addiction fuels criminal behaviour, such as violence, sex work, and sex trafficking. State resolutions frequently connect pornography addiction to increased demand for sex trafficking and prostitution - Harm to normal desires
pornography addiction negatively affects the development of socially acceptable sexual desires. This category aligns with the concept of a “charmed circle of sexuality,” where deviant sexual behaviours are associated with other deviant acts
week 9 - Sherman heyl (1977) - “The madam as a teacher: training of house prostitutes”
● The study contrasts Ann’s training methods with existing research on call girl apprenticeships, finding that house prostitutes receive more extensive instruction in sexual techniques and “hustling” (maximizing client spending).
● Ann’s training emphasizes practical skills and strategies, particularly focusing on client management through both physical and verbal techniques. The physical training includes instruction on performing various sexual acts, checking clients for sexually transmitted diseases, and defensive tactics for safety and comfort.
● The training also instills “racket” values, emphasizing honesty with clients and fairness among the women working in the house. This includes prohibiting stealing from clients encouraging mutual support and discouraging negative competition among prostitutes
● This process emphasizes isolating the novice from her previous life and fostering a sense of belonging within the prostitution subculture. The training period concludes when the novice gains enough confidence and skills to operate independently, often marked by personal conflicts arising from the diminishing power imbalance between trainer and trainee.
●The training of house prostitutes addresses the specific needs and challenges of brothel-based prostitution. Unlike call girls, house prostitutes do not build their own clientele but work with the house’s existing customer base.
Week 9 - Benoit (2019) - “I dodged the stigma bullet’: Canadian sex workers’ situated responses to occupational stigma”
- four main stigma management strategies used by sex workers
1. internalization
when a person accepts the negative stereotypes and labels associated with their identity or behavior. In this study, a quarter of the participants reported feeling shame or blame as a result of their sex work
2. information control
strategy used to avoid disclosing one’s stigmatized identity or behavior.concealing one’s work status entirely, or selectively disclosing it to trusted individuals
3. rejection
involves acknowledging the negative stereotypes and attitudes associated with a stigmatized identity, but refusing to accept them. They may argue that the stigma is the problem, not the behaviour itself. For example, many participants in the study rejected the idea that sex work is inherently harmful or that all sex workers are victims
4. reframing
strategy used to change the way people think about a stigmatized identity or behavior. highlighting the positive aspects of the identity or behavior, or challenging the negative stereotypes associated with it. participants talked about how sex work had empowered them, boosted their confidence - the findings suggest that sex workers are not passive victims of stigma, but rather active agents who can resist and challenge negative stereotypes.
- anti-stigma interventions should be developed in collaboration with sex workers
week 10 - rich 1980 - “compulsory heterosexuality and lesbian existence”
- how societal structures and institutions enforce heterosexuality upon women, limiting their choices and agency.
- Rich argues that heterosexuality is not a natural inclination for women but a powerful institution maintained through various forms of coercion and control, including economic dependence, violence, and the erasure of lesbian history and experience.
●Compulsory Heterosexuality: Rich argues that heterosexuality is not a natural preference for women but a political institution imposed upon them to maintain male dominance. This institution serves male interests by ensuring male access to women physically, economically, and emotionally.
●The Lesbian Continuum: Rich proposes a “lesbian continuum” that encompasses a range of woman-identified experiences beyond sexual activity. This includes emotional intimacy, shared inner lives, mutual support, and resistance to male oppression.
●Male Power and Control: demonstrate how men control women and enforce heterosexuality. denying or forcing women’s sexuality, exploiting their labor, controlling their children, restricting their movement, using them as objects, limiting their creativity, and withholding knowledge.
●The Lesbian Existence: Rich highlights the erasure of lesbian existence from history and culture as a key element in enforcing compulsory heterosexuality.
●The Erotic in Female Terms: Rich defines the erotic in female terms as an energy encompassing joy, connection, and empowerment, not limited to the body or sexual activity. This expanded definition contrasts with the male-centric view of the erotic often portrayed in pornography and other cultural forms.
week 10 - Humphrey (1970) - “Tearoom Trade: Impersonal Sex in Public Places”
- a sociological study of men who engage in anonymous homosexual acts in public restrooms, termed “tearooms.”
- adopting the role of a “watch queen” to observe behaviour and later interviewing participants under the guise of a health survey to protect their identities.
- while any restroom could potentially be a tearoom, only a few gain a reputation as such. The most popular tearooms are often isolated from other park facilities, providing increased privacy. Silence is a crucial aspect of tearoom encounters, ensuring anonymity and impersonality.
- The study found that 54% of the research subjects were married and living with their wives, with no evidence of instability in the marriages or awareness by the wives of the husbands’ tearoom activities.
- Older men in the tearoom scene faced a shift in sexual roles as their attractiveness declined, often transitioning from the insertor to the insertee role
- Four general types of tearoom customers were identified:
1) married men with dependent occupations (“Trade”) - primarily married men with working-class jobs.
2) married men with independent occupations (“Ambisexuals”) - married men had independent occupations and higher incomes.
3) unmarried men with independent occupations (“Gay Guys”), - actively involved in the gay community.
4) unmarried men with dependent occupations (“Closet Queens”) - These unmarried men with dependent occupations were isolated, fearful of exposure, and often involved in risky activities with younger partners.
Week 10 - Stone (2009). “More than adding a T: American Lesbian and Gay activists attitudes towards transgender inclusion.”
- Lesbians often expressed ambivalence, balancing empathy with concerns about movement power dynamics, while gay men showed a wider range of opinions, from opposition to support grounded in gay liberation politics.
- addressing the challenges of maintaining movement unity amidst diversity.
Borrowed approximations: refer to understanding discrimination against transgender people through witnessing or learning about their experiences. Lesbians frequently cited witnessing discrimination against transgender people and using these encounters as opportunities for education and growth.
Overlapping approximations: involve connecting transgender issues to personal experiences of oppression, particularly based on gender and sexual orientation. Lesbians, due to their own experiences as women and potential feminist consciousness, often drew parallels between sexism and transgender discrimination. Some lesbians, especially those identifying as butch, related their own gender variance or that of their partners to transgender experiences.
Global approximations: rely on broader social justice ideologies. Gay men, especially those with a history of activism and a social justice orientation, expressed support for transgender inclusion based on shared goals of combating oppression and advocating for marginalized groups.
The history of gender variance within the LGBT community, such as the inclusion of drag queens and butch lesbians, influenced activists’ perceptions of transgender inclusion. Gay men who acknowledged this history were more likely to support transgender inclusion. Lesbians, particularly those familiar with butch history, saw connections between butch identity and transgender experiences.
- most opposition based on losing “women centered” spaces/or overshadowing voices of homosexual activists (seen as a different thing)
week 11 - Shor, Eran and Dalit Simchai. (2009). “Incest Avoidance, the Incest Taboo, and Social Cohesion: Revisiting Westermarck and the Case of the Israeli Kibbutzim.”
- challenges the widely accepted Westermarck hypothesis, which posits that early childhood proximity leads to sexual aversion and thus explains incest avoidance.
- examine the Israeli kibbutzim, a case often cited as supporting Westermarck, finding evidence of attraction rather than aversion among individuals raised in close proximity.
- emphasizing social cohesion as a key factor in predicting in-group sexual avoidance. This theory suggests that maintaining group harmony outweighs individual sexual desires in tightly knit communities.
- The study found that sexual aversion among kibbutz peers was rare. More than half of the interviewees reported sexual attraction to peers. While many reported indifference, they distinguished these feelings from those towards siblings.
- social cohesion significantly predicted attraction, with lower cohesion correlating with higher attraction.
- Gender, age group, and general sexual openness in the kibbutz also significantly predicted attraction. Men reported more attraction than women. Older interviewees (pre-sexual revolution) and those from less sexually open kibbutzim reported less attraction.
week 11 - Turner (2008). “Incest, Inbreeding, and Intrafamilial Conflict: Analyzing the Boundaries of Sexual Permissiveness in Modern North America.”
- argues against the prohibition of consensual incest between adults in modern North America.
- differentiating between consensual adult relationships and non-consensual or underage relationships.
- societal condemnation of incest stems from power dynamics and social norms rather than inherent harm
- the Westermarck effect, which reduces sexual attraction to those raised in close proximity, might explain the incest taboo’s cultural prevalence.
- The author believes that, to discuss whether incest between consenting adults is harmful, the effects of incest must be separated from the effects of non-consensual sex, and the consequences should be considered in the context of the specific relationships involved.
○Incest is harmful because the experience of being seduced by a person in power teaches manipulation and exploitation. The author counters that this argument applies to any sexual relationship where one party holds power over the other, not just incestuous ones.
○ Incest incorporates shame and secrecy into sexual pleasure. The author suggests this shame and secrecy stem from the fact that incest is condemned by society
○Incest causes female connections to be sacrificed to patriarchal loyalties. The author argues that jealousy between female family members can occur in non-sexual contexts.
- some argue that it is an inherent, natural part of human makeup to prevent the negative effects of inbreeding, the author expresses hesitation to accept this explanation without more evidence. The author cites Goody’s argument that the incest taboo may stem from a broader societal need to regulate sexual relationships and maintain social order rather than a specific aversion to sex between blood relatives.
●The author concludes that, while incestuous relationships may face challenges, in a society that values freedom and personal responsibility, adults should be allowed to make their own choices about their relationships, even if those choices involve incest.
week 11 - Holt, Blevins, Burkert. (2010). “Considering the pedophile subculture online.”
- analysis of online pedophile forums to examine the subculture’s norms and values.
The researchers identify four key aspects:
- marginalization by society
Forum users perceive themselves as marginalized and stigmatized by society. They differentiate themselves from individuals they consider to be harmful predators and prefer terms like “child love - the sexualization of relationships with children
Open discussions of sexual attractions, fantasies, and experiences with children are central to the subculture. Forum members share their age of attraction, preferred clothing styles on children, and experiences in public settings (“boy moments” or “girl moments”). - the influence of laws and legal risks
Users demonstrate awareness of laws related to pedophilia and child pornography. They discuss legal cases, sentencing, and strategies to avoid legal consequences. There is a common belief that possessing child pornography should not be illegal. - the importance of online and offline security.
Forum members advise each other on online privacy, computer security, and safe ways to interact with children both on- and offline. They emphasize caution in online communication and recommend in-person interactions with children, ideally initiated in the presence of parents.
- The findings suggest that these online communities provide support and validation, potentially impacting the behaviour and attitudes of members.
- It suggests the potential value of incorporating the subculture’s normative orders into behavioural chain analyses for sex offenders
week 12 - Szasz (1960). “the myth of mental illness.”
- the concept of mental illness is a false and misleading notion. He contends that what is labeled as “mental illnesses” are actually problems in living, stemming from social and ethical conflicts rather than medical diseases of the brain.
- psychiatric diagnoses involve moral judgments disguised as medical ones, and that treating these issues requires addressing ethical and social problems, not solely medical interventions.
- belief in mental illness serves as a social tranquilizer, obscuring the inherent difficulties of human relationships and individual responsibility.
- mental illness is not a real disease but a “myth” used to label and control socially unacceptable behavior. Szasz contends that the concept of mental illness serves as a convenient way to categorize and explain human struggles
- He contends that attributing all mental distress to physical processes ignores the crucial role of personal experiences and social context.
- The text emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in psychiatry. Szasz asserts that defining mental illness relies on subjective judgments about what constitutes normal behavior, based on social, ethical, and legal norms.
- Szasz suggests that relying on the mental illness framework allows individuals to avoid taking responsibility for their actions and choices.
week 12 - Rosenhan (1973). “On being sane in insane places.”
- details an experiment where pseudopatients feigned mental illness to gain admission to psychiatric hospitals.
- The study revealed a significant failure to detect sanity among the pseudopatients, highlighting the unreliability of psychiatric diagnoses and the powerful influence of labelling.
- the dehumanizing conditions within psychiatric hospitals, emphasizing depersonalization and powerlessness experienced by patients.
- Despite acting sanely, they were never detected as being sane by the hospital staff. They were all diagnosed with schizophrenia and discharged with a diagnosis of schizophrenia “in remission.”
● The study highlights the “stickiness” of psychodiagnostic labels and the impact of labeling on perceptions. After being labeled as schizophrenic, the pseudopatients’ behaviors were interpreted through that lens, even when those behaviors were normal.
● The text suggests that the depersonalization experienced in psychiatric hospitals is partly due to societal attitudes toward the mentally ill and the hierarchical structure of these institutions.
● suggests that the proliferation of community mental health facilities and an increased awareness of the patient’s perspective may hold promise
week 12 - Pescosolido (2013). “The Public Stigma of Mental Illness.”
three sets of key findings from the GSS studies and other research highlighting the evolution of mental illness perceptions:
○ Finding Set 1: “Good News” a positive trend: over time, the public has demonstrated increasing sophistication in its understanding of mental health problems and greater openness to disclosure, recognition, and treatment. For instance, analyses comparing responses to the open-ended question “What is mental illness?” in the 1950 Star study and the 1996 GSS revealed a broadening of the public’s understanding of mental illness beyond severe psychotic disorders. This shift towards neurobiological attributions was also observed in other Western countries. Studies also showed an increase in individuals reporting experiences with mental health problems and seeking help.
○Finding Set 2: “Bad News” This set tempers the optimism of the first set, highlighting the persistence of mental illness stigma. Despite improvements in mental health literacy, GSS studies found no evidence of decreased social rejection of individuals with mental illness between 1996 and 2006. Stigmatizing responses tended to increase with the perceived severity of the mental illness, and they were more pronounced in more intimate social settings. Notably, the study found an increase in the public’s perception of individuals with mental illness as potentially dangerous. Surprisingly, childhood depression elicited more negative reactions from the public than adult depression.
○Finding Set 3: This set addresses key debates and assumptions in stigma research. The GSS studies provided evidence that both labelling and behavioural factors contribute to stigma. While acknowledging the public’s increasing acceptance of neurobiological explanations for mental illness, the studies did not find the expected link between these attributions and reduced stigma. In some cases, neurobiological attributions were even associated with increased stigma. The text emphasizes that targeting sociodemographic groups for stigma reduction campaigns might be ineffective, as sociodemographic factors are often unreliable predictors of stigmatizing attitudes.
- The need for a better understanding of the interplay between larger cultural contexts and individual-level stigma is emphasized. While preliminary findings from cross-national studies suggest that cultural contexts significantly influence stigma levels
- Pescosolido calls for a deeper exploration of the fundamental, potentially immutable, elements of stigma and urges a shift in resources towards addressing the social structural factors that contribute to prejudice and discrimination against individuals with mental illness.
Week 12 - Johnston/Elliot (2002). “Healthy limb amputation: ethical + legal aspects.”
examines the controversial issue of healthy limb amputation, focusing on the desires of individuals who identify as “wannabes.”
- lack of consensus regarding the underlying causes of this desire, reviewing various proposed explanations, including psychological and sexual factors.
- The authors ultimately argue against surgical intervention due to insufficient research and the risk of misclassifying the condition as a purely psychiatric disorder.
- Some people who desire amputation experience it as an intense and all-consuming desire that significantly impacts their lives. They may identify this desire as a core part of their identity and believe that amputation would allow them to become their true selves.
- Surgeons face ethical and legal challenges when confronted with requests for healthy limb amputations. While some argue that amputation could provide relief from suffering, concerns remain about the lack of knowledge regarding the condition and the potential for harm.
- Classifying the desire for amputation as a psychiatric disorder could have significant implications. It might encourage more people to perceive their distress as requiring amputation, and it could lead to the development of institutional structures that further shape and legitimize the condition
- The text strongly cautions against using surgery as a solution.
- mental health professionals are better equipped to address the desire for amputation than surgeons.
- draws parallels between healthy limb amputation and sex reassignment surgery, highlighting the complexities of using surgery to address psychological distress and the potential for both positive and negative consequences.
- Some individuals who desire amputations identify as “wannabes,” distinguishing themselves from “devotees” (attracted to amputees) and “pretenders” (enjoy dressing up as amputees).
●The desire for amputation appears to overlap with other social phenomena, including an erotic attraction to amputees and the pursuit of extreme body modification.
Week 13 - Jackson Jacobs. (2004). “Hard drugs in a soft context: managing trouble/crack use on a college campus.”
●Crack cocaine use is often associated with negative social and economic outcomes, particularly among impoverished, minority users in urban settings. The media and sociological research have largely focused on these “street” users, perpetuating stereotypes of crack users as violent criminals or desperate addicts.
- examines a different type of crack user: a group of four college students from upper-middle-class backgrounds. The author argues that the social and economic resources available to these students, as well as the particular features of campus life, allowed them to manage their crack use without experiencing the same levels of trouble as “street” users.
- ●
Two key factors contributed to the college students’ ability to avoid crack-related troubles:
- Security of their environment: The college students used crack in a relatively safe and secure environment, unlike the insecure and dangerous settings frequented by “street” users. They had access to stable housing, financial support from their families, and were not exposed to the violence and crime often associated with crack markets.
- Boundedness of their social spheres: The college students were able to keep their crack use separate from other aspects of their lives, such as their academic responsibilities, relationships with family and roommates, and employment. They utilized strategies like moving apartments, designating a “door man” to watch for roommates, and avoiding phone calls from parents when high.
●The college students’ understanding of crack use also contributed to their ability to avoid trouble. They viewed crack as a social object to be used in leisure rituals, similar to their use of other drugs like marijuana. They also understood that crack use should be subordinate to their conventional activities and actively sought to prevent it from interfering with their academic or professional lives
●The primary trouble experienced by the college student crack users was the fear of stigma. They were acutely aware of the negative stereotypes associated with crack use and went to great lengths to conceal their use from anyone who might judge them, including roommates, parents, employers, and even strangers in stores.
●The study underscores the importance of considering the social and environmental contexts in shaping individuals’ experiences with drug use and the resulting consequences - understand the diversity of experiences with crack use and to challenge the monolithic and often harmful stereotypes surrounding the drug.
Week 13 - Baker/Carson. (1999). “I take care of my kids.”
- examines the experiences of 17 substance-abusing mothers in a residential treatment program.
- challenges the dominant narrative of these women as solely “bad mothers.”
- highlights the inadequacy of a singular, idealized model of motherhood and the ways that societal expectations disproportionately impact marginalized women.
- The authors argue that the dominant ideology of mothering is based on a white, middle-class, heterosexual standard that places unrealistic expectations on mothers. Substance-abusing mothers are often stigmatized and labeled as unfit due to their failure to meet these cultural standards.
● the mothers’ perspectives on both “bad” and “good” mothering practices. The women identified several “bad” mothering practices
1. Exposing their children to danger, such as perinatal substance abuse or violence associated with drug use.
2.
Being physically, financially, and emotionally unavailable for their children.
3.
Lacking control over their children’s behavior, often due to being under the influence of substances.
The mothers also identified “good” mothering practices, even while struggling with addiction:
- Fulfilling their children’s practical needs for food, clothing, shelter, and education.
- Protecting their children from harm by avoiding substance use while pregnant or in front of their children.
- Coping with stress by controlling their substance use and using it to manage everyday pressures.
substance-abusing mothers, like other marginalized groups of women, resist the dominant discourse about mothering.
