We also talked about prostitution within the United States. Members of the Gender Studies class who hosted the meeting asked everyone about the various factors that lead to human trafficking or bolster a lifestyle of prostitution or pimping. Human trafficking, we realized, is not usually portrayed negatively in American media. Many misconceptions of prostitution that we discussed (like that prostitution or pimping is enviable or that violence against women is not bad) are not refuted, and are even at times supported, by advertisements, music, and movies. We watched the music video for 50 Cent's song "P.I.M.P. (featuring Snoop Dogg and G-Unit)" and noted the ways in which this well-known song and video glamorize prostitution and being a pimp. After watching the music video, we read the song's lyrics, which include numerous references to pimps having expensive clothes, cars, and a nice life. Below is the official music video of the song:
There were a few things that were particularly shocking to me among the topics brought up at this discussion, not the least of which was the manner in which sex slavery transpires in countries like India. Very young children from impoverished families are sold for meager amounts and bound to an awful life of prostitution, without any way to get an education or get a better job instead. Hearing stories of girls younger than me being forced into such a brutal, miserable profession, in addition to organizations that work to help these children have better lives, reminded me of how fortunate I am to be in a position where I can go to school, live comfortably, and choose what I want to do.
Another interesting point that came up in the discussion is how different parts of our culture do little to end global human trafficking, and in fact, often uphold the presence of prostitution. We looked at advertisements implying abuse against women and gang rape, as well as songs like the one above that portray prostitution as truly beneficial and enjoyable to all involved. Since such images and ideas have been ingrained in popular music and advertisements, I hadn't realized how much sex slavery can be subtly (or not so subtly) glamorized by our society. Before going to this discussion, I may have not given much thought to positive portrayals of pimping in the media, but now I will definitely be more attuned, and can understand how deeply flawed and unrealistic they are.
You really touch on some interesting and under-discussed topics. I went to the gender studies movie night, and I thought the information they provided was really enlightening. It's disgusting how prostitution is so often idealized in the media.
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Great response to this presentation and discussion, Gabby. I consider myself someone who's relatively aware of these issues, and still I was shocked at the large number of girls and women (and sometimes boys and men, as well) who are victims of human trafficking. I was especially surprised to learn that this is a domestic problem as well as a problem in the developing world. It's troubling how many minors are forced into prostitution in the US, and how early in life. It's a complicated problem, but one thing that definitely needs to be done is to punish the "customers" who keep this business profitable. I was angered to learn that it's not uncommon for girls who aren't old enough to legally consent to sex to be charged with sex crimes when they're arrested for prostitution, while the "john" gets a lesser punishment. That's backward (the girls should be rescued and treated for rape and kidnapping, not punished), and it sadly reflects the way contemporary US culture normalizes the sexual victimization of women and perpetuates the old "boys will be boys" response to men's role in sexual crimes/social problems.
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