The world economy is a bustling market supported by trades of commodities such as clothing, food, cars, electronics and more. Unfortunately, a darker industry prevails in the exchange of cash for innocence. In this commercial sex market, sexuality is reduced to a commodity. Where humanity is stripped, a price tag is replaced.
The detachment of human intimacy from sexual relationship is perpetuated by men who purchase sex, forced upon women who are exploited through prostitution and aggravated by social acceptance of the commercial sex industry.
According to a study of male buyers of prostitution by Monto and Julka , a buyer’s belief that sex is a commodity significantly predicted the acceptance of the rape myth (false belief to rationalize and blame a woman for bringing the rape upon herself as well as the belief that prostitution decreases rape cases), attraction to violent sexuality, less frequent use of condoms, support for prostitution, and the attitude that prostitution is positive for women.
While these factors contribute to the buyer’s role in reducing sexuality to a commodity, violence and exploitation cast damaging effects on victims’ perception of sexuality.
Typical intimate, personal relationship involves genuine intimacy, sharing and respect for each other. Prostitution removes these aspects natural to human relationship. It may result in internalized dehumanization and objectification of women by both the buyer and woman herself. Psychologically, this tendency could cause negative consequences for women such as habitual body monitoring, shame and anxiety, and mental health problems.
These dynamics are further aggravated by society’s glamorization of the commercial sex industry and acceptance of increasingly graphic sexual images.
In all but one U.S. state, prostitution is illegal; however, the commercial sex industry is booming. Commercialization of sexuality plays a significant role in considering sexuality as a commodity. We, as a society, allow this to happen by creating a culture of tolerance for sexual exploitation. Advertisements that boast scantily clad women endorsing products further create systemic, cultural stereotypes and perpetuate the association of women as sexual objects. Provocative images of women’s bodies for high fashion brands are one example.
As we continue to accept the commercialization of sexuality in society, the market demand for prostitution as well as trafficking in women will increase. This displaced sexual value gives false notion that buyers have unlimited access to sexual acts and images, thus making all women and children vulnerable to the exploitation of the commercial sex industry. NOW is the time to reverse the commodification of sexuality. Together, we can replace the price tag of exploitation with the humanity of restoration.
