Principles of Sociology - Assignment 1

Timothy McCall

Principles of Sociology

Instructor: Sue Ciriello

January 31^st, 2008

Naugatuck Valley Community College

Spring 2007 Semester

Assignment # 1:

Task: Answer “Sociological Imagination” question on page # 16 in our textbooks.

Q.) Interpret the practice of prostitution using the conflict perspective of sociology. Contrast your conclusion with the functionalist perspective. Do you think that you would arrive at a different conclusion utilizing a feminist perspective?

A.) The utilization of the practitioner’s “Sociological Imagination” requires donning the mantle of the investigational attitude first promulgated by Max Weber and termed “Verstehen”. (understanding and/or insight) To accomplish this, I am marshalling all of my left-handed creativity and right-brain capabilities in my attempt to sociologically analyze the multiple perspectives of this socially complex question.
I would first like to address what I will assume will be the automatic assumption of what I believe are the majority of students assigned this question. Does the designation of the appellation “prostitute” automatically derive to the female gender? I personally, and for the purposes of this paper, will take the position that it in fact, does not. Additionally, I would also challenge the label “prostitute” as automatically referring to acts of a sexual nature. People conducting activities for which they are qualified and compensated, but from which no pleasure or satisfaction are derived, often refer to these activities as having been “prostituted”.

Given these assumptions and establishing the conflict perspective as the analytical model, someone engaged in “prostitution” is at a disadvantage either economically, socially, educationally etc. and is being utilized by another person, entity or organization whereby they are exploited to derive an advantage in an economic, social, educational etc. situation. The net result of the interaction is a derived benefit to both parties in some way. The only differentiating factor is the level of desired vs. actual satisfaction from participation in the interaction accrued to each participant. Both the Functional and Conflict Perspective provide an analytical framework that works well in describing interactions at the macro-sociological level and provide the foundational descriptors to evaluate social interaction within the associated societal boundaries. The Interactionist Perspective will determine the levels of derived satisfaction resulting from the involved parties social interactions.

Contrasting these perspectives with the Feminists Perspective would of course change the underlying conclusions and perspective reached utilizing the Conflict and Functionalist Perspectives profoundly and significantly. One could more readily assume that we are, in fact, investigating interactions that are of a sexual nature and are concerned with the exploitation of women in a sexual manner that may not be consensual. The pre-established functional boundaries of the larger society in which the interaction takes place will determine the exact nature and extent of the gender exploitation and victimization associated with the interaction. In some societies where prostitution is both legal and widely accepted, the woman (and potentially men) participating in these types of activities may in fact be what is described by sociologist Robert Merton as an “innovator”. In other societies where woman’s rights are
significantly disenfranchised, significant levels of exploitation or total enslavement may in fact be the normative, established societal function of the female gender. Some societies exploit children of both genders for either sexual or economic enslavement and exploitation. In the United States, the Adult Entertainment Industry is widely characterized as generating more annual revenue than mainstream Hollywood Studio Film releases. That economic attractiveness may become irresistible to some “innovators” who participate in these activities simply to reap the substantial associated economic benefits.

I was very surprised by the extremely provocative nature of this question as our first class assignment. It made me think very hard to evaluate and formulate an answer I found to be personally palatable, relevant and succinct.