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61st out of 195 books
—
75 voters
Sex Work: Writings by Women in the Sex Industry
"Sex Work: Writings by Women in the Sex Industry" is the landmark collection of writings by street prostitutes, exotic dancers, nude models, excorts, porn stars, and massage parlor workers. Since publication in 1987, "Sex Work" has generated discussion among sex workers, feminists, and academics, and changed the language we use to talk about sex for money.
Paperback, 380 pages
Published
October 8th 1998
by Cleis Press
(first published 1987)
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Yes. This book showed up in my recommended readings when I was shopping for the required texts for my TransFeminism class and I fell in love after the first few essays. It offers personal experiences, fictional accounts, and academic analysis of the sex industry and the women who work in it, from their feelings on the work to the way that they're treated to the overall public perception of sex workers. There are feminist accounts, lesbian accounts, poetic accounts, fictionalized accounts, resear...more
It's been awhile since I read this book so I may be fuzzy on the details. I do remember finding it refreshing that women, in their own words, told their stories about working in the sex industry whether by circumstance or by choice. Mostly it was the idea that there were (are) women who not only have chosen to work in the sex industry but who are satisfied and enjoy the work they do.
Yes, I'm sure feminists would dispute the idea that women of their own choice would prefer to do this type of work...more
Yes, I'm sure feminists would dispute the idea that women of their own choice would prefer to do this type of work...more
I think this is a good book to whet the mind for more discussion and research on sex workers, feminist perspectives, and social policy. Since this was written in the late 1990s I wonder what changes have come about. It was broken up into 3 sections: section 1-stories from sex workers, section 2-a bit of history and policy regarding sex workers/nonsex workers, and section 3-sex workers organizations and policies out there.
This book was extremely informative and had a wide variety of perspectives. Although the book came out a while ago, I found it to be very relevant.
Aug 16, 2012
Lisa
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one of three great books i read for my Deviance class. this is half creative writing, half theory, which i think is a great idea. the book presents a wide spectrum of feelings on the sex industry. the creative writing (short stories and poems) are written by sex industry workers, from street-corner hookers to more "legitimate" escorts to no-contact strippers. there are sound arguments for and against sex as an industry, and "the oldest profession" as a... well, profession. makes you think.
The first part begins with narratives and short stories written by sex workers. The second part goes into the politics and social policy issues surrounding sex work. My favorite academic essay was written by Priscilla Alexander at the beginning of the second part. All these women are amazing. Loved the book. Of course now I'd love to read a sex work collection by men and transsexuals. Still searching for that though.
This is a rough subject- hard to grasp the morality of working in the sex industry, especially as a prostitute. What's great about this book is that you get all sorts of individual perspectives and experiences- both positive and negative- and now I am not so quick to judge.
Good read and a good quick look at women in different aspects of the sex industry, some were negative, some positive but the sharp cynicism was evident in everyone. Left me with more questions than answers.
Incredibly inconsistent--there are some really good pieces in here, but also some real clunkers. Could have used a better editor.
Poems, memoirs, stories, vignettes, essays on sex work written by present and former sex workers. Many different perspectives.
This sounded more fascinating than it was. It was more like a manifesto.
good collection overall, though scarlet harlot's writing is obnoxiously vain.
I loved referring to this as my Sex Workbook.
Jun 16, 2013
Jaire Ann
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Jun 13, 2013
Cherie Ann
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Mandy Bates
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Jun 18, 2013
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May 28, 2013
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May 27, 2013
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May 23, 2013
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