I'm doing master thesis about cam models

[Marta]

Hi there.

My name is Marta Pietruszka, I'm from Poland and I'm on the fifth year of Sociology at Adam Mickiewicz University placed in Poznan, Poland. Over year ago I choose a range of topics form my master thesis, which is currently limited to cam modeling. Not only because of the interest in the subject, but also because of my own experience and desire to clarify the image of sex workers I decided to take up writing this phenomenon. My work is a monograph, showing the true face of the people sitting in front of the cameras. I want to fight with dehumanization and objectification, but also I want to show how wisely you use the body as a medium of exchange. I care for describing an intimacy in an era of masturbation in front of the screen and mass access to pornography. I want to show the audience this closed and often terrifying (for them) world. However, to do this, I need your help. I'm looking for people who had contact with the cam modeling and have the desire and the courage to share their stories in-depth interview via webcam. For my part, I can you guarantee anonymity, full objectivity and that I will be faithful and attentive listener. I am eager to enter the work force and wiping paths for other researchers, which in the future, like me, interested in the case of sex workers.

If you're interested, please contact me here or via my mail: marta.pietruszka@op.pl

I will be greatful, really.

Best regards,
Marta.

 

[Serenity_Tam]

use the body as a medium of exchange

If you want to stop dehumanization, stop using language like this.

Who is your academic supervisor for this project? How can we contact them?

What compensation are you offering for the time of individuals who participate in the academic work you will be benefiting from?

 

[Guy]

Hi there.

My name is Marta Pietruszka, I'm from Poland and I'm on the fifth year of Sociology at Adam Mickiewicz University placed in Poznan, Poland. Over year ago I choose a range of topics form my master thesis, which is currently limited to cam modeling. Not only because of the interest in the subject, but also because of my own experience and desire to clarify the image of sex workers I decided to take up writing this phenomenon. My work is a monograph, showing the true face of the people sitting in front of the cameras. I want to fight with dehumanization and objectification, but also I want to show how wisely you use the body as a medium of exchange. I care for describing an intimacy in an era of masturbation in front of the screen and mass access to pornography. I want to show the audience this closed and often terrifying (for them) world. However, to do this, I need your help. I'm looking for people who had contact with the cam modeling and have the desire and the courage to share their stories in-depth interview via webcam. For my part, I can you guarantee anonymity, full objectivity and that I will be faithful and attentive listener. I am eager to enter the work force and wiping paths for other researchers, which in the future, like me, interested in the case of sex workers.

If you're interested, please contact me here or via my mail: marta.pietruszka@op.pl

I will be greatful, really.

Best regards,
Marta.

The last time models on here participated in a study like this, someone was outed by the press as a result.

 

[Marissa Frost]

The last time models on here participated in a study like this, someone was outed by the press as a result.

wait whuuuttt

did I miss this @_@

 

[Guy]

wait whuuuttt

did I miss this @_@

 

[EmiliaSong]

@Guy I remember this issue. The problem was that the Independent - not the author - stole and published Blath's photo without consent or compensation. The article was written by a former model who conducted a study on cammodels for school, so she is well aware of privacy concerns. Blath even stated that she had nothing to do with the article. The article was published by a private newspaper that has a team of editors that find click bait images. The people who find these images don't interact with guest columnists, so the author and the study had nothing to do with outing Blath.

@Marta please provide us with more proof and details. Thanks!

 

[Gen]

@Guy I remember this issue. The problem was that the Independent - not the author - stole and published Blath's photo without consent or compensation. The article was written by a former model who conducted a study on cammodels for school, so she is well aware of privacy concerns. Blath even stated that she had nothing to do with the article. The article was published by a private newspaper that has a team of editors that find click bait images. The people who find these images don't interact with guest columnists, so the author and the study had nothing to do with outing Blath.

@Marta please provide us with more proof and details. Thanks!

Agreed. I hope future researchers or people writing articles will emphasize to publishers the importance of using stock photos or asking permission, for safety reasons, rather than just grabbing whatever comes up for "cam model" on google or however they found that one.

 

[Sevrin]

Agreed. I hope future researchers or people writing articles will emphasize to publishers the importance of using stock photos or asking permission, for safety reasons, rather than just grabbing whatever comes up for "cam model" on google or however they found that one.

There's no way to avoid that kind of thing, unfortunately. Once a researcher posts about what they're working on, they have little control over what other sites will pick up the story or what graphics they use to draw in readers. Research about sex work, just by the very fact that it "sheds light" on it, exposes sex workers to that light. Academics do what they do because if they don't, they can't advance their careers. Sex workers, in this context, are simply fodder for the academic paper mill.

 

[Gen]

There's no way to avoid that kind of thing, unfortunately. Once a researcher posts about what they're working on, they have little control over what other sites will pick up the story or what graphics they use to draw in readers. Research about sex work, just by the very fact that it "sheds light" on it, exposes sex workers to that light. Academics do what they do because if they don't, they can't advance their careers. Sex workers, in this context, are simply fodder for the academic paper mill.

So should we never do research on sex work, then? I think care must be taken in researching any marginalized group like sex workers, in protecting their identities as best you can and the usual ethical stuff (let them withdraw whenever; offer resources in case participating causes distress, etc). But I don't think we can demonize all researchers/research because an unaffiliated publication did something shitty. I'm not sure if Blath was involved in the study at all, but it seems like two different issues -- researchers writing about sex work, and publications being unethical (or illegal? Idk) about photo use. They could've just as easily grabbed her photo for an article about sex work that wasn't based on research.

Obviously nobody should participate if they don't want to or are uncomfortable but that goes for any study. And I think it's important for all of us to be aware of how her photo was used, I just don't think it reflects poorly on the research if (as you said) the researchers have no control over the images used.

Edit: to clarify in my first post I was thinking of someone working directly with a publisher (like if you submit to HuffPo or something), but it definitely makes sense about not having control over images whenever whoever decides to write about your work, so thanks for mentoring that.

 

[Sevrin]

So should we never do research on sex work, then?

I wouldn't do this kind of research. What's the point? You'll notice that the people reaching out are working on a thesis. You don't see established academics looking for random sex workers to interview, do you?

No amount of academic study will make people less prejudiced about sex workers. There are a number of sex worker advocacy groups who do research and lobby for your rights and protection. If you are looking to make a difference, I'd look into how you can get involved there over some academic looking to put a few more letters after their name.

 

[Gen]

I wouldn't do this kind of research. What's the point? You'll notice that the people reaching out are working on a thesis. You don't see established academics looking for random sex workers to interview, do you?

No amount of academic study will make people less prejudiced about sex workers. There are a number of sex worker advocacy groups who do research and lobby for your rights and protection. If you are looking to make a difference, I'd look into how you can get involved there over some academic looking to put a few more letters after their name.

Ah, I see more where you're coming from now, and I do think the distinction between thesis research and further academic research is a good one. I am involved with a sex worker organization but am also happy to help fellow student sex workers (whether current or former) when I can -- it's certainly not either/or. The fact that all (or most?) of the researchers asking for help have been sex workers isn't insignificant to me; I see that as less invasive or as using SWs as fodder. And I'm happy to see, and help, sex workers add letters to their name, even if the research doesn't see the light of day beyond the thesis defense. Not necessarily about making a difference on a huge scale!

Aaaanyway. I'm more curious because @Marta you say your project involves showing "the true face", but you also guarantee anonymity-- are you planning to record and show the video of the Skype chat? Or is it a Skype chat that will be transcribed and no image of the participants will be shown? That distinction would make a huge difference to me, and probably other potential participants.

 

[Guy]

No amount of academic study will make people less prejudiced about sex workers.

I completely disagree with this statement. The fact that there is widespread prejudice towards sex workers has a LOT to do with misconceptions about them.
Academic research done on sex work/sex workers leads to people being more educated about the subject. That is by far the best way to debunk those misconceptions to the general public.

 

[Sevrin]

I completely disagree with this statement. The fact that there is widespread prejudice towards sex workers has a LOT to do with misconceptions about them.
Academic research done on sex work/sex workers leads to people being more educated about the subject. That is by far the best way to debunk those misconceptions to the general public.

I don't know if you've been following the news, but the people most opposed to alternative lifestyles aren't particularly interested in learning anything about anything. They're certainly not going to be reading articles in academic journals about the subject to educate themselves. Nor will they read any news source that treats subjects with the seriousness they deserve, like, say The Atlantic or Bloomberg or the WSJ.

Let's say this research hits the mainstream press. They're going to focus on the titillation value first because they have ads to sell. It's just what they do, even papers as culturally liberal as The Independent. That's certainly more likely to attract eyeballs than models asserting their sexual independence, innit? Then they'll get into what sex workers tell their families, the kind of people who read the mainstream press, about how they make a living because everyone likes the behind-the-scenes stuff. We've had a number of discussions on that topic here over the years. "Dear, it says in the newspaper that these sex-camgirls tell their families they do something with the social medias. Isn't that what you do?" Who's looking forward to that conversation? Anyone?

As far as I'm concerned, in a world where cam models must protect their privacy and control customer's perception, nothing good can come from the widespread discussion of any aspect of their work. People who are even remotely interested in purchasing adult entertainment are inundated with information about how to find live models. Every porn and tube site has an affiliate link or their own site going on. What's more, if it seems like too cool a way to make a living, then there will be even more competition, and that doesn't help current practitioners, either, although, as a perv, my first impulse is to think "the more, the merrier", especially since that kind of competition drives down prices.

 

[Guy]

I don't know if you've been following the news, but the people most opposed to alternative lifestyles aren't particularly interested in learning anything about anything. They're certainly not going to be reading articles in academic journals about the subject to educate themselves. Nor will they read any news source that treats subjects with the seriousness they deserve, like, say The Atlantic or Bloomberg or the WSJ.

Let's say this research hits the mainstream press. They're going to focus on the titillation value first because they have ads to sell. It's just what they do, even papers as culturally liberal as The Independent. That's certainly more likely to attract eyeballs than models asserting their sexual independence, innit? Then they'll get into what sex workers tell their families, the kind of people who read the mainstream press, about how they make a living because everyone likes the behind-the-scenes stuff. We've had a number of discussions on that topic here over the years. "Dear, it says in the newspaper that these sex-camgirls tell their families they do something with the social medias. Isn't that what you do?" Who's looking forward to that conversation? Anyone?

As far as I'm concerned, in a world where cam models must protect their privacy and control customer's perception, nothing good can come from the widespread discussion of any aspect of their work. People who are even remotely interested in purchasing adult entertainment are inundated with information about how to find live models. Every porn and tube site has an affiliate link or their own site going on. What's more, if it seems like too cool a way to make a living, then there will be even more competition, and that doesn't help current practitioners, either, although, as a perv, my first impulse is to think "the more, the merrier", especially since that kind of competition drives down prices.

Well, academic and media attention to LGBT people helped decrease stigma and prejudice towards that group.

 

[Sevrin]

Well, academic and media attention to LGBT people helped decrease stigma and prejudice towards that group.

Yeah, well there's been a lot of attention given to Muslims and they're not feeling it.

Sex workers have been around forever. There've been books, essays, songs, movies, poems, you name it. Jesus hung out with them. They still can't catch a break.

 

[Guy]

Then they'll get into what sex workers tell their families, the kind of people who read the mainstream press, about how they make a living because everyone likes the behind-the-scenes stuff.

Well, the media has covered LGBT people hiding their sexual orientation from their families.

 

[yummybrownfox]

I hope future researchers or people writing articles will emphasize to publishers the importance of using stock photos or asking permission, for safety reasons, rather than just grabbing whatever comes up for "cam model" on google or however they found that one.

Agreed. It pissed me off to find one of my photos from a professional photo shoot being used - without my permission - in some dude's internet blog...and another one posted on someone's Facebook page as part of his "Eye Candy" (or whatever it was called) competition where FB viewers like/comment. Smh. People will do anything nowadays for 'likes', and to stay relevant.

 

[Phoenix4987]

I want to fight with dehumanization and objectification, but also I want to show how wisely you use the body as a medium of exchange. I want to show the audience this closed and often terrifying (for them) world.

I hope your thesis is more objective than subjective because it just sounds like it's going to be a grossly biased work. "Dehumanization and objectification" happens to women outside of sex work as well and not every dude who comes in a model's room is a raging penis. And actually cam models have more control of who is in their room vs being cat called or whatever on the street. It's also a 2 way street when it comes between dehumanizing both model and client alike.

I'm not a model so I can't comment on how often they find their jobs terrifying. But I think they find it more rewarding than terrifying or nobody would be a cam model. There's risks with any job you take and it's proven to be very satisfying for some girls I know. Privacy is always a big concern, but it isn't an unbeatable foe.

Just as you want your audience to have an open-mind when it comes to sex work, you should open your mind to a much larger picture that shows the whole industry and not just the parts you want to cherry-pick.

 

[heybarkeep]

If you want to stop dehumanization, stop using language like this.

What was wrong with her choice of words? Not really understanding how they were dehumanizing. How could it have been worded better? Questions are for any who were offended or felt dehumanized by the words.

 

[Serenity_Tam]

What was wrong with her choice of words? Not really understanding how they were dehumanizing. How could it have been worded better? Questions are for any who were offended or felt dehumanized by the words.

I don't feel dehumanised by the words. I've been hoeing long enough it takes a lot to dehumanise me personally. The problem is not a personal one, rather an overreaching societal one. I've been in academia for a long time. As long as I've been hoeing I have been in and out and if OP is wanting to research this profession she should have done some minor research because there are academic papers that have been published about linguistics and relation to dehumanisation. Unless OPs uni doesn't have a subscription to the major academic publishing journals. On that note of publishing @Guy academia is not the same as media. Most published papers y academics are not published for the general public but in academic articles. Unless op releases research publiclly and participates as an activist nothing will change widely. SW have been saying there's something weird going on SW are activists and academics already. Plenty of academics will put publish papers and sit back in their cozy chair and collect grants while their work is only available to other academics.


Body as medium of exchange presents the initial idea that the physical body is for sale. This literally contributes to the dehumanisation and violence against SAW. It gives a greater sense of entitlement to clients over our bodies (i paid for your body, I am going to take it!). No other profession is looked at by the public as selling the body or using the body as an exchange. Think of athletes. Their job is using their body but generally people don't look at their body and think of it the same way. Language is a very powerful thing and when we say things like that we create implicit bias in ourselves and uphold it on others. Exchanging a body is an idea more associated with slavery than legitimate labour and for many sw our job isn't viewed by society as a whole as legitimate labour, and some of us can't even legally do our jobs. In part that can be because of biases against sexual freedom and in part it can be because a societal saviour complex that relies on the connotations associated with body being exchanged. The fact that so many are resistant to seeing SW as an exchange of service can even contribute beyond a revocation of bodily autonomy but mentally as well. It literally amounts a Set to her body, a body that does not have autonomous thought. This is more on the extreme side but, when we think of media and even academics SW ideas about ourselves and stories are often spoken over by others, "corrected" by those who literally have no place doing so because they aren't even in the industry so they can't feel it's effects (POS, neg, or neutral)and don't even have stories. I mean you can literally see that here. Someone comes in asks a camgirl about inside camgirl things and a member who has never cammed before will disagree and "speak over her". That could be a dude thing or a general lack of home training but if you look at that idea in media you see it consistently done over SW.

What sw exchange or sell is a service and those services like any service can be revoked, come with conditions and is labor like any other. Providing a service does not come with those connotations of a lack of autonomy. Providing a fantasy doesn't either. These subtle word choices solidify what we do as an actual job. There are options that can be used because how we word things and choose to word things can affect societal ideas and beliefs, although subtly overall it can make a huge difference to those it affects.

 

[heybarkeep]

Is the word hoe no longer a derogatory term meant to dehumanize women?

 

[justjoinedtopost]

Is the word hoe no longer a derogatory term meant to dehumanize women?

 

[Serenity_Tam]

Is the word hoe no longer a derogatory term meant to dehumanize women?

I use hoeing as a verb rather than a noun to indicate that I have done more than cam. But yeah, hoe is a shite word that has been used as a word to hold power over folks. Its typically used as an insult especially when used as a noun or adjective and is an insult specifically used against women.


On that note...
Context is important in all language.

As an example that I think is maybe more relatable or understandable I guess: there are gay men attempting to reclaim a word that was used to hurt them in the past - fag. Some gay dudes aren't down with it but some gay men use it as a self identifier. Even among the men doing the reclaiming, if an outsider, say me as someone who is not a gay was like "sup fags" it would still be something hurtful. Those within a community use a word to reclaim it and take control of something that was not a part of the control. Same with the "N word" It is used in a way to take back power by those that the word was used against in order to relinquish control.

SO yeah, hoe is a word that absolutely can be derogatory to women in general. Hoe is a term that can be derogatory to SW. I choose to self identify as hoe in part to offer humor to myself when talking about very serious issues as a way to lighten my mood and give control to myself over the language that is used over me. I use the term as someone who has had it used it as an insult to me. Context and self identification important. Hoe isn't specific to SW work though, it's used as a derogatory term for all women, and there are gals out there who will use it endearingly among other lady friends. Some do not see the power in reclaiming a word, and that's totally okay. The word is something that literally only carries negative connotations because of the way it was intentionally used, it was not a part of our language in any other context other than to use it as an insult. Because of this, I do not believe it upholds an institutional ideal or overarching societal bias on its own, and that's why women have reclaimed terms like this (slut, bitch etc.). Others may disagree with that idea and may see it as part of an institutional bias against women.


I think as humans we are all intelligent enough to understand context and language usage and can agree context is very much important.

 

[mynameisbob84]

I think as humans we are all intelligent enough to understand context and language usage and can agree context is very much important

I agree with this, which is why I was surprised to see so many take issue the OP. Reading through their post it seems (to me at least) that despite using one piece of clinically-accurate-but-nonetheless-frowned-upon terminology, that they are clearly pro-sex work (and may have even been a sex worker themselves), and are specifically looking to shine a light on the people involved in the profession morseo than the profession itself. It seems that English might also be a second language for them.

 

[MFCGod]

I agree with this, which is why I was surprised to see so many take issue the OP. Reading through their post it seems (to me at least) that despite using one piece of clinically-accurate-but-nonetheless-frowned-upon terminology, that they are clearly pro-sex work (and may have even been a sex worker themselves), and are specifically looking to shine a light on the people involved in the profession morseo than the profession itself. It seems that English might also be a second language for them.

I was starting to think you were incapable of a post without a joke but you've managed it, well done

 

[mynameisbob84]

I was starting to think you were incapable of a post without a joke but you've managed it, well done

I r srs bsns.

 

[Phoenix4987]

@Serenity_Tam #badbitchandsheknowsit Probably my favorite posts I've seen on the subject. Raw, eloquent vernacular that just fucking tells it like it is. OP, there's the real self you're looking for. Take notes.

 

[heybarkeep]

I use hoeing as a verb rather than a noun to indicate that I have done more than cam. But yeah, hoe is a shite word that has been used as a word to hold power over folks. Its typically used as an insult especially when used as a noun or adjective and is an insult specifically used against women.


On that note...
Context is important in all language.

As an example that I think is maybe more relatable or understandable I guess: there are gay men attempting to reclaim a word that was used to hurt them in the past - fag. Some gay dudes aren't down with it but some gay men use it as a self identifier. Even among the men doing the reclaiming, if an outsider, say me as someone who is not a gay was like "sup fags" it would still be something hurtful. Those within a community use a word to reclaim it and take control of something that was not a part of the control. Same with the "N word" It is used in a way to take back power by those that the word was used against in order to relinquish control.

SO yeah, hoe is a word that absolutely can be derogatory to women in general. Hoe is a term that can be derogatory to SW. I choose to self identify as hoe in part to offer humor to myself when talking about very serious issues as a way to lighten my mood and give control to myself over the language that is used over me. I use the term as someone who has had it used it as an insult to me. Context and self identification important. Hoe isn't specific to SW work though, it's used as a derogatory term for all women, and there are gals out there who will use it endearingly among other lady friends. Some do not see the power in reclaiming a word, and that's totally okay. The word is something that literally only carries negative connotations because of the way it was intentionally used, it was not a part of our language in any other context other than to use it as an insult. Because of this, I do not believe it upholds an institutional ideal or overarching societal bias on its own, and that's why women have reclaimed terms like this (slut, bitch etc.). Others may disagree with that idea and may see it as part of an institutional bias against women.


I think as humans we are all intelligent enough to understand context and language usage and can agree context is very much important.

I feel like I did a really poor job at trying to get my point across but nevertheless, I thank you for the reply and for sharing your feelings on multiple topics. I very much appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective on the matter.

 

[justjoinedtopost]

I feel like I did a really poor job at trying to get my point across

This?

 

[Lintilla]

I agree with this, which is why I was surprised to see so many take issue the OP. Reading through their post it seems (to me at least) that despite using one piece of clinically-accurate-but-nonetheless-frowned-upon terminology

Assuming that you're referring to "body as a medium of exchange", please explain how the term is "clinically-accurate". Because I'm pretty sure, despite any label I choose to identify with, I have always exchanged money for time, with my body and mind being merely tools of the trade (as they are for every other profession). I have never exchanged my body for anything. If I've gotten what you're saying wrong, I apologize, but that's how it's coming across.

I have several people in this thread on ignore, nevertheless, it seems entirely full of WAT.