(Sub)Urban Sexscapes
Geographies and Regulation of the Sex Industry
Paul Maginn editor Christine Steinmetz editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:15th Oct '14
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£45.99(9781138060258)
(Sub)Urban Sexscapes brings together a collection of theoretically-informed and empirically rich case studies from internationally renowned and emerging scholars highlighting the contemporary and historical geographies and regulation of the commercial sex industry. Contributions in this edited volume examine the spatial and regulatory contours of the sex industry from a range of disciplinary perspectives—urban planning, urban geography, urban sociology, and, cultural and media studies—and geographical contexts—Australia, the UK, US and North Africa.
In overall terms, (Sub)urban Sexscapes highlights the mainstreaming of commercial sex premises—sex shops, brothels, strip clubs and queer spaces—and products—sex toys, erotic literature and pornography—now being commonplace in night time economy spaces, the high street, suburban shopping centres and the home. In addition, the aesthetics of commercial and alternative sexual practices—BDSM and pornography—permeate the (sub)urban landscape via billboards, newspapers and magazines, television, music videos and the Internet.
The role of sex, sexuality and commercialized sex, in contributing to the general character of our cities cannot be ignored. In short, there is a need for policy-makers to be realistic about the historical, contemporary and future presence of the sex industry. Ultimately, the regulation of the sex industry should be informed by evidence as opposed to moral panics.
*** Winner of the Planning Institute of Australia (WA) 2015 Award for Excellence in Cutting Edge Research and Teaching ***
This book is an impressive collection of studies of the geographical and regulatory dimensions of commercial sex. The breadth of the book is reflected in both the various kinds of sexual commerce examined and in its coverage of different nations. The tension between mainstreaming the sex industry and resistance to its growth, is a theme highlighted in several chapters and the book should be of interest to policy makers as well as scholars. Highly recommended.
Ronald Weitzer, George Washington University, USA
This book opens up a series of windows on the sex industry. Readers can dip in and out or read as a whole. Either way(Sub)Urban Sexscapes successfully highlights the importance of spatiality in commercialising sex. It is a must read for anyone interested in issues of sex, sexuality and space.
Robyn Longhurst, University of Waikato, New Zealand
This book is a valuable resource that prompts rethinking sex, work, sexuality, policies, bodies, place and space. Original and empirically rich, the collection advances theorising of commercial sex, adult entertainment, and subcultural sexual practices. Authors draw on contemporary themes and debates in geography, sociology, policy studies, planning, media studies, feminist and queer theories in order to engage with (sub)urban landscapes of sex work. Crucially, at the heart of the book is the critique of heteronormativity and an exposure of the regulation of bodies and places. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of agency and processes of regulation by which (im)moral geographies are constituted.
Lynda Johnston, Professor in Geography, University of Waikato
One of the most interesting developments in the recent study of sexuality has been an increasing focus on its spatial dimensions. Suburban Sexscapes ranges across the spaces and places of commercial sex, in private, public and virtual worlds and in mainstream and alternative spheres. This is a fascinating, thorough and comprehensive collection which will inspire and stimulate the future study of sexscapes.Feona Attwood, Middlesex University, UK
(Sub)Urban Sexscapes... is a timely reminder of the value of a diverse range of international perspectives on a topic that has become increasingly contentious for policy-makers and communities... This collection is a very vigourous contribution to the field with chapters presenting both theoretical and empirically original work.
Paul Ryan, Maynooth University, Ireland, Built Environment
ISBN: 9780415855280
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 566g
286 pages