Prostitution Policy: Revolutionizing Practice Through a Gendered Perspective

Lenore Kuo

NYU Press, 2005 - Political Science - 214 pages

While widely acknowledged as the world's oldest profession, and often glamorized or demonized in the media, prostitution is a critical part of American culture and its economy, as well as a social problem in need of an updated public policy.
In Prostitution Policy, Lenore Kuo combines feminist social research and legal studies to tackle issues raised by heterosexual prostitution in the U.S. Through the lens of feminist theory, Kuo examines the milieu of prostitutes and the role of prostitution in contemporary society, and how the interplay of those two works itself out in practice.
Moving beyond theoretical analysis of prostitution, Prostitution Policy turns to the complicated problem of formulating a reasonable legal policy that minimizes harm. Kuo discusss criminalization, legalization, and decriminalization as possible approaches, ultimately arguing for a unique form of decriminalization including detailed legal oversight and mandatory social services.

Contents

• Feminism and Policy Analysis: 15
• 2 A Sexually Charged Context the FeministSex Wars and Prostitution Defined: 36
• 3 The Intrinsic Character of Heterosexual Activityand Prostitution: 44
• 4 Sexuality and Prostitution as Conceptual Constructs: 51
• 5 The Practice of Heterosexuality andHeterosexual Prostitution: 62
• 6 The Ideal Character of HeterosexIntercourseand Prostitution: 111
• 7 Evolving a PolicyLegal Status: 119
• 8 The Feminist Debate: 138
• Policy Recommendations: 152
• Notes: 171
• Bibliography: 198
• Index: 208
• About the Author: 214

About the author

Lenore Kuo is the Nancy Rowell Jackman Chair professor of women's studies at Mount St. Vincent University in Nova Scotia.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Prostitution Policy: Revolutionizing Practice Through a Gendered Perspective
• Author: Lenore Kuo
• Publisher: NYU Press, 2005
• ISBN: 0814747914, 9780814747919
• Length: 214 pages
• Subjects: Political Science / Public Policy / General; Social Science / Feminism & Feminist Theory; Social Science / General; Social Science / Prostitution & Sex Trade; Social Science / Women's Studies