In recent years, the topic of the US sex industry and sex trafficking has received much attention, and many people believe that the US has become a country where pornography is rampant.

However, interestingly, despite the prevalence of pornography, most sex trafficking is illegal in the United States. Why did this situation occur? To understand this issue, we need to first review the history of eroticism in the United States.

The Development of Erotic History in the United States

The United States is a culturally diverse country, and its attitudes towards sexuality and eroticism have also been diverse throughout history. Over time, the United States' views and attitudes towards sexuality have been constantly changing, which is also reflected in the history of eroticism in the United States.

In this article, we will explore the development of American erotic history, from early settlers to the current internet age, from sex trafficking to sexual liberation movements, from taboos towards sex to openness towards sex.

(1) Early settlers period

During the early settlers in the United States, attitudes towards sexuality were conservative and religious. The Protestant faith emphasizes marriage and fidelity, while condemning other forms of sexual activity.

Due to the influence of social moral constraints, early settlers often regarded pornography as a harmful and sinful behavior, believing that sexual activity could only be legally conducted through a legitimate marital relationship.

However, in early American history, some people had different attitudes towards sex. For example, some religious sects that were considered heretical at the time, such as Nature's Children and Shakers, believed that marriage was unnecessary and even opposed sexual activity itself.

In addition, a large number of black slaves were enslaved in the United States, and sexual exploitation and violence were not uncommon, which also demonstrated the contradictory and complex attitudes towards sex at that time.

(2) 19th century

In the mid-19th century, due to the development of new technology, cultural progress, and changes in social structure, there were some changes in America's attitude towards sexuality. At that time, the middle class began to have a more tolerant attitude towards sex, and there were some movements towards sexual openness in society.

During this period, some women began to fight for freedom and rights, with some advocating premarital sex and family planning. At the same time, Americans also began to pay more attention to sexual behavior and sexual health. Some health care institutions began to promote the prevention and treatment of sexual diseases and promote responsible sexual behavior.

However, with the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization in the United States, some new social issues have also emerged. Some brothels have emerged in the city center, and a large number of men have started seeking sexual services, making brothels an inevitable social problem.

During this period, attitudes towards sex workers became more stringent, and many states began to enact laws to prohibit sex trafficking and the existence of brothels. These laws have to some extent restricted the sex trade, but have not eradicated this industry.

(3) 20th century

In the early 20th century, the attitude towards sexuality in American society was still very conservative. Some states have even passed "disheveled laws" that prohibit intimate physical contact between men and women in public places, such as hugs and kisses. This type of law still existed in the mid-20th century until it was gradually abolished due to social progress and opposition.

In the mid-20th century, the sexual liberation movement began to rise, and some issues related to gender, sexual orientation, and sexual behavior gradually received broader attention. For example, the concepts of "free love" and "extramarital affairs" advocated by the sexual revolution movement in the 1960s were sought after by many young people.

The topics of homosexuality, transgender, and gender mobility have also begun to attract increasing attention and discussion. However, during this period, the United States still held a strong opposition to sex trafficking and brothels. In the 1960s and 1970s, the US government passed a series of laws prohibiting sex trafficking and the existence of brothels.

These laws have brought certain effects on regulating sexual transactions, but they have also brought other issues. Some sex workers have started to shift from brothels to the streets, making them more susceptible to becoming victims of crime. In addition, the implementation of these laws can also easily lead to unfair treatment by the judicial system.

(4) 21st century

With the rapid development of Internet technology, American society has gradually become more open and tolerant towards sex. At the beginning of the 21st century, a large number of pornographic content appeared on the Internet, from pictures and videos to online chat and dating websites, which were widely spread and attracted extensive attention from the society.

In addition, in the 21st century, some states have begun to re-examine their attitudes towards sex workers and are considering changing their current laws.

In some states, people have begun advocating for treating sex workers as victims rather than criminals, and policy recommendations have been put forward to provide better protection and resources for sex workers.

Why is pornography rampant in the United States

With the popularization of the Internet and the development of social media, pornographic content has become extremely common. Whether on the internet or in real life, people are easily exposed to various types of pornographic content.

In the United States, this situation is particularly evident.

Although sex trade is still illegal in most parts of the United States, a large amount of pornographic content is rampant on the Internet. So, why is pornography rampant in the United States?

Firstly, the United States is a relatively open society. In the United States, people attach great importance to personal freedom and the right to express themselves. Therefore, they are relatively tolerant of individuals who choose to watch or produce pornographic content.

Especially in terms of law, the United States has very strict protection for freedom of speech and the right to express oneself. This open social environment provides a foundation for the development of the pornography industry.

Secondly, the pornography industry is also a huge industry. According to data from some research institutions, the value of the global pornography industry has exceeded tens of billions of dollars, including pornographic websites, pornographic books, pornographic movies, and pornographic games.

Although the pornographic industry is still illegal in most parts of the United States, it does not prevent people from obtaining and producing pornographic content through the Internet and other channels.

In addition, social attitudes towards sexuality are constantly evolving. With the rise of feminism and the LGBTQ+movement, people's attitudes and concepts towards sex are constantly changing.

Although in some ways, these movements have fought for more rights and respect for sex workers and the LGBTQ+community, in other ways, they have also exacerbated social divisions and the demand for pornography. Some people believe that these social changes have led to more people's interest and exploration of sex, thereby driving the development of the sex industry.

In addition, the Internet and social media are also important factors to promote the spread of pornography.

In the past, pornographic content could only be obtained through channels such as adult bookstores or private clubs.

However, with the popularity of the Internet and social media, anyone can easily access and share pornographic content through the Internet. This not only led to the rapid development of the pornography industry, but also made it easier for minors to come into contact with inappropriate content.

Finally, the development of the pornography industry has also brought some negative impacts. Pornographic content is often considered a negative social phenomenon that can lead to moral decay, marital breakdown, sexual crimes, addiction, and gender discrimination.

Although not everyone will suffer from these issues, they demonstrate the negative impact of the proliferation of pornography.

In general, there are many reasons for the prevalence of pornography in the United States. It is closely related to the open atmosphere of the society, the huge scale of the pornography industry, the evolution of social concepts, the development of the Internet and social media and other factors.

Although the proliferation of pornography has brought some negative impacts, how to control it is not a simple issue. We need to continue exploring ways to solve this problem while balancing individual freedom and social public interest.

Why is the majority of sex transactions still illegal and how to solve it

Although the pornography industry in the United States is thriving today, most sex trafficking is still considered illegal.

There are multiple reasons behind this phenomenon.

Firstly, sexual transactions are considered illegal under the law. Although laws vary in different states, most state laws consider sex trafficking as a crime punishable by imprisonment and fines. The root of these laws lies in the moral and religious constraints on sexual behavior, which consider sex trafficking as a criminal and vulgar act.

In addition, the government is also concerned that sex trafficking may lead to disease transmission and social chaos, so for the sake of public health and social order, it continues to consider most sex trafficking as illegal behavior.

Secondly, the illegality of most sex transactions is also related to the values and culture of American society. In the United States, marriage and family are regarded as the fundamental units of society, and sex trafficking is considered a violation of marriage and family values.

In addition, due to historical reasons, sex workers and sex traders still face social discrimination and stigmatization, which further exacerbates the phenomenon of the majority of sex trafficking being illegal.

The legalization of most sex transactions has brought many negative impacts to society and sex workers. On the one hand, due to the majority of sex trafficking being illegal, sex workers are unable to engage in sex work within the legal framework, which puts them at great risk of safety and health, as well as basic labor rights and welfare protection.

On the other hand, due to the majority of sex trafficking being illegal, sex workers and traders still face social discrimination and stigmatization, making it difficult for them to integrate into society and receive the respect and protection they deserve.

Therefore, it is necessary and urgent to address the issue of the legalization of most sex transactions. Firstly, the government should legalize and regulate the sex trade, and protect the rights and interests of sex workers and sex traders through the development of reasonable laws and policies.

This can not only reduce the existence of illegal sex trade, but also enable sex workers to engage in sex work in a safe environment, while also strengthening the maintenance of public health and social order.

Secondly, society should strengthen its understanding and support for sex workers and sex traders, break down their discrimination and stigmatization through open discussions and publicity, and provide them with the respect and protection they deserve.

At the same time, it is also necessary to provide appropriate vocational training and welfare guarantees for sex workers, so that they can integrate into society, have stable income and lifestyle.

In the United States, while the pornography industry is thriving, the phenomenon of most sex transactions still being illegal persists. There are multiple reasons behind this phenomenon, including legal, cultural, and social factors.

Solving this problem requires joint efforts from the government and all sectors of society to achieve social justice and balance, so that everyone can receive the respect and protection they deserve.

references

[1] Tang Wenjuan Research on the Regulatory Model of Online Pornographic Information in the United States [D]. Soochow University, 2020.002050

[2] Wang Juanjuan The Evolution of Social Changes and Obscene Object Standards in the United States [D]. Nanjing University, 2014Return to Sohu to view more