New Books in Economics Angela Jones and Barbara G. Brents, "Sex Work Today: Erotic Labor in the Twenty-First Century" (NYU Press, 2024)
Oct 5, 2025
Join sociologists Bernadette C. Barton, Barbara G. Brents, and Angela N. Jones as they dive into the complexities of modern sex work. They discuss how the internet has revolutionized erotic labor, from camming to AI sex dolls. The conversation highlights the diverse experiences of sex workers, addressing pressing issues like empowerment versus exploitation. They also emphasize the importance of intersectionality in understanding race, gender, and class dynamics within the industry, advocating for labor-focused rights and policies.
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Classroom Origins And A Pandemic Birth
- Bernadette started the project from her classroom need while teaching a course on the sex industry.
- She recruited Angela and Barb and developed the book during the pandemic as a 'pandemic baby' project.
Platforms Both Open And Gatekeep
- Online work can democratize porn production for those excluded by studios while also reinforcing bias via platform design.
- Shadowbans and discriminatory algorithms limit earnings for darker-skinned, larger-bodied, and other marginalized workers.
Don't Flatten Diverse Sex Markets
- The book intentionally treats many distinct forms of sex work rather than collapsing them into one category.
- Different segments (camming, full-service, sugar dating) have unique structures, rules, stigma, and risks.
