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Essay / Female Sex Tourism
Table of ContentsIntroductionDefinition of Sex TourismHistory of Sex TourismVariations of Sex TourismFemale Sex TourismBeach BoysFeminist Theories and AnalysisConclusionIntroductionThe United Nations has classified sex tourism and human trafficking as the third most prevalent criminal activity in the world ; only drug trafficking and arms trafficking outweigh sex tourism and human trafficking in their respective prevalence. According to United Nations studies, the industry is estimated to have killed nearly 2 million people globally, while earning around US$30 billion a year. (UN, 2018)Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayThis essay aims to delineate the roots of sex tourism in general and the development of female sex tourism. Then, the two concepts of sex tourism and romantic vacation will be evaluated, while the main and detailed focus will be on female sex tourism. At least the theoretical approaches of Taylor Sanchez and Foucault regarding sex tourism and prostitution will be presented. Definition of Sex Tourism In different regions of the world, different trends and patterns regarding the types of sex tourism occur. We can therefore find various definitions. The Oxford Dictionary defines sex tourism as “the organization of holidays with the aim of taking advantage of the absence of restrictions on sexual activity and prostitution imposed by some foreign countries” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2018). Sex tourism can be practiced by both women and men, and victims can vary in terms of gender and age. The industry is said to account for more than 80 percent of female victims and around 20 percent of children. Sex tourists are no longer just middle-aged white Western men, but also younger men and women of all ages, from all over the world, who engage in different types of tourism. Tourists do not need to have a certain income to be able to finance their clients, there is a wide range of sex work. These classes range from inexpensive street walkers to high-end escorts (Laws, 2017). As the age of consent varies nationally and internationally, it allows those engaged in sex tourism to circumvent and exploit contrasting legislation and statutory systems. Although there is significant and joint international action to end sex tourism and punish participants, the industry continues to thrive. The international community is always keen to combat this industry, as it often leads to human rights violations and limits the freedom of those involved. Teenage pregnancies, transmission of sexually transmitted diseases as well as mental and emotional disorders are just a few direct consequences of the sex industry (Laws, 2017).History of Sex TourismWith the increasing interconnectivity of the world, technological innovation and the liberalization of trade, the overall wealth of the world has increased. The interest of people around the world in foreign countries and exotic experiences has increased, leading to a rapidly developing travel stream. Today, tourism constitutes a large and important economic sector for all countries. Along with the prosperity of the tourism sector, sex tourism has evolved rapidly. Over the past two decades, the visibility of Western tourists, particularly Western ones, participating in sex trips to non-Western countries has increased. Thanks to the development of the Internet, information andOpportunities regarding sex tourism can be easily obtained. The interest in sexual experiences in foreign and exotic countries, with "different" people, attracts not only men but also women today. Anonymity, low costs and non-interference from local governments are considered advantages. Governments in developing countries share the view that sex tourism is generally mutually beneficial, as economic and sexual exchanges contribute to the prosperity of local economies. Such beliefs delimit the global economy, political and sexual hierarchy favoring American and European tourists. Sex tourism is now part of the global economy and is expected to grow further in the years to come. The problem has received increasing criticism and has also been submitted to the international community, but the phenomenon of sex tourism has not been created by globalization but promoted. Sex tourism has a long and complex global history of economic, political and sexual conquest, based on the feeling and belief in power and superiority. Kempadoo states that “[…] current prostitution in the Caribbean islands is directly linked to their colonial history […]” (Kempadoo, 2004). Most researchers analyzing sex tourism refer to the imperialist actions of Western nations when asked about the beginnings of sex tourism. In the Age of Discovery, Western nations conquered countries and territories outside of Europe, while establishing a dynamic of subordinate nations dependent on their respective external rulers. An unequal and dependent relationship developed within the social, political and economic environment of the colonies, with the conquering Western nations superior to the occupied nations. Colonial and postcolonial sex tourism embodies the same type of dependency relationship. The majority of citizens were farmers or laborers earning little money. To ensure their survival, women offered their bodies to the white Western man, in order to earn more money or benefit from advantages. “White men,” often being miles away from their families, were eager to have a sexual relationship with a different woman. Padilla describes the continuity of sexual and economic exchanges between people, with tourists as a means of satisfying the sexual desires of former colonialists. It was and is considered more acceptable, even charitable, to engage in sexual and economic relationships with "primitive" or "natural" people, who exhibit their sexuality in ways that deviate from Anglo-Christian moral discipline. Saxon (Padilla, 2008). The evolution of women in sex tourism began with the sudden increase in transnational travel in the 1950s and 1960s and the development of women's roles in society. The granting of more rights to women, the relaxation of old family structures and the equal treatment and classification of women in Western civilizations have encouraged women to go abroad and experiment with their sexuality at home. the foreigner. European women traveled and still travel especially to the Mediterranean regions to find pleasure. Variations of Sex Tourism There are several classifications of sex tourism. Typically, a sex tourist travels to another country with the primary motivation of engaging in commercial sex. The tourist wants to experience sex, intimacy, exoticism, adventure and to free himself from social constraints. The possibility of experiencing something outside of their normal life, without fear ofconsequences, is the main driver. Especially in developing and underdeveloped countries, the price of prostitution is relatively low and with many illegal and secret organizations and no real law enforcement, it is easy, compared to other parts of the world, to practice sex tourism (Padilla, 2008). the way the sexes practice sex tourism differs. While men look for services offering organized sex, such as strip clubs or bagnio choosing their own sexual partner, women are more looking for beach vacations with often black men, showing them the affection and giving them attention. This is called "vacation romance" and is often practiced by middle-aged Western women, usually overweight, divorced, or with previous unhealthy or abusive relationship experiences. Attracted by so-called "beach boys", not prostitutes, they begin a "holiday romance", with the woman buying the man gifts and some additional monetary spending. The man shows interest and attention towards the woman, through sex and joint activities (Sanchez Taylor, 2006).Female sex tourismWomen traveling to underdeveloped or developing countries for "romance vacationers” are generally white, middle-aged or older, and come from Europe and North America. They travel alone or with friends. In search of attention and love, the majority feel alone, have reached a certain age, have low self-esteem or have experienced exploitative, violent or unhappy relationships with men. Intestinally or unintentionally, they engage in a short-term relationship with a black beach boy, spending time with them. Without contact to sign, or clear definitions of the agreement, many women believe that the men they meet on vacation are in love with them, implying that they are unaware that they are one half of an agreement. prostitution (Bindel, 2013). Sánchez Taylor explains why many female tourists manage to delude themselves into believing that they are not users of prostitutes. The explanation lies in their racialized power over men: "Racist ideas that black men are hypersexual and incapable of controlling their sexuality allow them to explain why such young and desirable men would be willing to have sex with older and/or overweight women. without having to think that their partners are interested in them only for economic reasons” (Sanchez, 2003). Phillips interprets this behavior with the colonial past of Western countries and former colonialist countries. According to her, white people are once again or arguably still colonizing and objectifying black sexuality. The fascination with the typical black body pushes white women to want to “own” this body, almost like in the slave era. European colonialism played a great influence on the development of their respective sexual behaviors (Phillips, 2003). An imbalance of power can be observed in the relationship between the white woman and her respective black “beach boy.” The tourist has an economic advantage over the person offering sex. “The awareness and employment of such power becomes even more important in the context of a postcolonial society where race, status, color and class are intertwined and where whiteness is accorded a status and privilege” (Phillips, 2008). Only the word “tourist” displays superiority and power. Tourists are wealthy people because they have enough money to go on vacation and, in this case, to pay for sexual services. The worldfurther implies a temporary moment, as a tourist visits a place for a specific period of time, until he leaves to return home. Racial difference plays an important role in the experience of the female sex tourist. White women who would never consider being openly involved with a young black man in their home country feel free to do so when traveling and often use this as an example of their "anti-racism." However, the same women often treat their “boyfriend” as a mere servant (Bindel, 2013). Beach Boys Sex workers, or so-called "beach boys", are generally young, physically fit men. Being a sex worker is often not the primary job of these young men. Typically, they work in jobs that put them in contact with tourists, such as restaurant waiters, activity planners, or tour guides. Being friendly, helping tourists feel welcomed, and making sure strangers have a good time is part of their job description. Intentionally, these jobs create a platform that makes it easier to approach female tourists. “They smell, have rough skin and look like old dogs. No wonder they have to pay for a man” (Bindel, 2013). Disrespectful and similar quotes can be found in many sexual boy interviews. So why do beach boys offer their bodies and their time to female tourists? DeMoya interviewed several beach boys, discovering that the main motivation was purely economic in nature. The lack of jobs in the economic sector in many African and Latin American countries, the pressure to take care of the problems of often very large families, as well as the personal desire to achieve and achieve sum up the motivations of female workers sex. Starting your own small business and being independent is the dream of many beach boys DeMoya spoke to (DeMoya, Garcia, Herold, 2001). Because many female sex tourists have low self-esteem and/or attention-seeking, they are vulnerable and fall for boys more easily. These women are more open to an exploitative relationship and turn a blind eye to reality, not noticing the manipulative and fake behavior of beach boys. Phillips interprets this behavior towards tourists as follows: "in a postcolonial context, beach hustling may seem primarily a means of earning money; it may also provide a route to personal fulfillment and role liberation", but “having sex with a white tourist can (also) be seen […] as a continuation of the dependency caused by a (sexual) work relationship” (Phillips, 2008). Feminist theories and analyzes Different scholars analyzing sex tourism have developed major theories and analyzes explaining this behavior. Sanchez Taylor identified in his analysis of power structures between men and women an unequal relationship. Sexuality is a major influence and actor in human behavior. Driven by the intention to reproduce, men see women as an object to help them reproduce. “In the “sexual act,” women submit to men, and men assert their masculinity and patriarchal power by penetrating the female body” (Taylor Sanchez, 2006). Taylor describes this bonding between the two genders as a master-slave relationship, with the men exercising and demonstrating their dominance over the woman and her body. This domination, therefore, creates unequal difference, neglecting the importance of class, race and age for an individual's social power and life chances. People have.