Analyzing The Ethical Dilemma Surrounding Sex Tourism In An Essay.

Two Sides of the Ethical Dilemma: Proponents vs Opponents

Every person wants to earn their daily bread and there are different modes of doing so. Prostitution is one way of doing it. There are some countries that rely on sex tourism for improving their economic situation. The ideology behind it sees the sex trade as just another profession. There are also claims regarding reliance on sex tourism being necessary for the survival of people. Yet, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of the sex trade due to the negative implications it has on the person. Apart from the physical impact, there are cases of exploitation and coercion as well. This discussion is aimed at analyzing this ethical dilemma by using the ethical theories of act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. The contrast that the two theories have, would allow for analyzing this dilemma from two varied perspectives. In doing so, the impact on the different stakeholders and the possible solutions that can be used for resolving this ethical dilemma will also be touched upon.

Prostitution is referred to as being indulged in sexual activity so as to get paid. There are a lot of people across the globe, who are indulged in this “profession” (Moen 2014). This is even when some jurisdictions allow such acts, while others put a prohibition on them. There are even nations that are relying on sex tourism to survive, raising the question of this approach. The reasoning behind the proponents and opponents is quite strong and this very reasoning presents the ethical dilemma with regard to sex tourism. Thus, to truly understand this ethical dilemma, there is a need to explore the two sides of this coin.

The proponents of the ethical dilemma state that the motive of people relying on sex tourism stems from the need of having sex with the locals. Sex is essentially deemed as a product or service being offered by a nation, which is being brought or availed by the consumer (Carr 2016). The recent expansion of the global sex industry has presented it as an opportunity for nations to earn their livelihood. This is specifically for the people who are marginalized and do not have enough routes for earning money. The literature has predominantly been written against commercial sex but it has failed to accept that "vagina" is the centre of business and that is true on an industrialized scale. The need for a sexual economy is underpinned by global capitalism (Smith 2011). Rather than outrightly rejecting the notion or practice of sex tourism, there is a need to focus on the manner in which it can be regulated. There are economies like Cuba that survive on sex tourism for their economy (Geske & Clancy 2016). Sex tourism is majorly seen as a way of survival for many, whereby the individuals involved in this industry have no other way of earning their livelihood.

As highlighted in the proponent's section, the dark side of sex tourism is widely covered in the literature. This is because there is a plethora of evidence that can prove sex tourism to be a devastating impact, particularly on women. There are several reports which show that women are forced into prostitution. There are cases of trafficking of women, and their exploitation and they are being fooled under different pretexts to get them into this industry (Kempadoo, 2001). Furthermore, the negative impact that prostitution leaves on their bodies cannot be stated enough. The chances of unwanted pregnancies, rape, abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and even mental disorders are prominent in the people indulged in this industry. It is not just the women who are forced into prostitution but men as well (Bender & Furman 2004). There have been claims that when intercourse does not take place, as is the case in male prostitutes, it cannot be deemed as derogatory. But using the body of another by means of purchasing or renting does amount to a prostitute, resulting in a negative impact on such a person (Westin 2014).

Impact of Sex Tourism

The first side of this ethical dilemma shows reliance on sex tourism as a mode of survival and earning daily bread. However, the other side of this ethical dilemma shows that by being indulged in this industry, the people are abused, taken advantage of, and have to bear the mental and physical impact of such acts. The morality of such actions is also questioned, as a person loses their dignity to earn money. Although, without a person being able to get the basic necessities that are needed for their survival, their dignity is already lost.

At the behest of this discussion, it was stated that the ethical dilemma surrounding sex tourism will be explored from two theoretical perspectives. These are act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. A conduct is ethical if it serves the best outcome for the largest number of people, according to utilitarianism. However, rule utilitarianism is built on the principle that behaviour is ethical whenever the rules are adhered to in order to achieve the greatest benefit possible. Thus, the theme of both the theories is the attainment of the greatest good; however, the theme in act utilitarianism places reliance on the results of the actions, while the theme of rule utilitarianism places reliance on the correctness of the rules (Emelda 2011).

In the present context, the ethical dilemma should first be looked at from the act utilitarianism perspective. By being involved in such acts, some individuals are able to earn their livelihood. This also presents an opportunity for the economies of the world to grow as sex tourism is deemed as a mode of earning revenues by these economies. Though, when the global context of this issue is looked at, it would be seen that the people face a pitiful situation and the greatest good is not maximized. This is because people are forced into prostitution in many parts and there are even cases noted where people are trafficked so as to be thrown into prostitution. The tragedy does not end there as once these individuals are forced into prostitution, their physical, mental and psychological health deteriorates. This is so much so that their life expectancy is also reduced (Conte 2019). From the act utilitarianism perspective thus, the action becomes unethical and immoral.

The same dilemma now needs to be looked at from the rule of utilitarianism. Every person has the right to earn their livelihood as it is crucial for their survival. At the very same time, every person has the right of living with dignity, particularly in a manner where they are not forced into slavery or acts of labour and do not have to face any abuse. When prostitution is looked into, nearly every perspective condemns such an act. This is because for years there has been evidence present to show that sex tourism and prostitution have negative implications for those involved in this industry, particularly for the women. From the rule utilitarianism perspective, the action thus becomes unethical.

The contention that is given behind legitimizing the sex tourism and acts of the sex trade is that it is a mode of earning livelihood for the people. Though, when this livelihood gives a person only seven years to live, questions have to be razed on the feasibility of this livelihood earning mode (Quigley 2015). This is in addition to the loss of dignity that a person faces on a daily basis when they are made to indulge in sexual acts with unknown people just for the sake of such other people, please. There are also cases where the people escalate to physical abuse while undertaking the sexual activity, essentially jeopardizing the safety of the involved person. Considering that the problem lies in a lack of chance to earn a livelihood, there is a dire need for the government of all the nations to work in this regard. So, where a nation like Cuba puts reliance on sex tourism for its economic growth, a shift is needed. There is a need for the authorities to bring out a proper mechanism to support people who do not have a source of livelihood. It is not enough to legalize or decriminalize this act but to ban it to eradicate it.

Conclusion

Thus, on the basis of this discussion, it can be concluded that sex tourism is a highlight unethical means of earning a livelihood, which jeopardizes the ones that are involved in this industry. There are cases of abuse, torment and exploitation of the people, which surprisingly involved both males and females. The act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism both show that the ethical dilemma presented through sex tourism is not strong enough to favour sex tourism. There is thus a need to take measures that could stop and eradicate the menace of sex tourism. To this state that sex tourism is essential for earning daily livelihood cannot be used as a mode of justifying this act. The impact that it leaves on the people has to be given significance, as is reflected in different literature as well. Governments across the world have to thus take ownership and have to find alternative modes of proving livelihood to people, instead of resorting to the menace of sex tourism.

References

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Carr, N 2016, "Sex in tourism: reflections and potential future research directions", Tourism Recreation Research, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 188-198.

Conte, M 2019, "FACT CHECK: Does entering prostitution mean you have seven years to live?", Columbiamissourian.com, viewed April 18 2022, <https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/politifact_missouri/fact-check-does-entering-prostitution-mean-you-have-seven-years-to-live/article_a268d4b4-3ac8-11e9-b359-432dce00445a.html#:~:text=Our%20ruling,much%20longer%20than%20seven%20years.>.

Emelda, M 2011, "Difference Between Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism | Difference Between", Differencebetween.net, viewed April 18 2022, <https://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-act-utilitarianism-and-rule-utilitarianism/#:~:text=Act%20utilitarianism%20is%20the%20belief%20that%20an%20action%20becomes%20morally,to%20achieve%20the%20greatest%20good.>.

Geske, M & Clancy, M 2016, Sexploitation? Sex Tourism in Cuba Case, Georgetown Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Washington, DC.

Kempadoo, K 2001, "Women of Color and the Global Sex Trade", Meridians, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 28-51.

Moen, O 2012, "Is prostitution harmful?", Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 73-81.

Quigley, R 2015, "PolitiFact - Does becoming a prostitute mean you've only got about 7 years to live?", Politifact, viewed April 18 2022, <https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2015/may/31/rebecca-quigley/does-becoming-prostitute-mean-youve-only-got-about/>.

Smith, N 2011, "The international political economy of commercial sex", Review of International Political Economy, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 530-549.

Westin, A 2013, "The harms of prostitution: critiquing Moen's argument of no-harm", Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 86-87.