Sex, Commodity, and Signs： Rethinking Sex Industry Issues in Taiwan

Abstract

This dissertation is an attempt on rethinking controversies over sex industry in Taiwan. The persisting debate among feminists stemmed not only from their opposing positions, but also from paradoxes in understanding both factual and policy aspects of this issue. Traditional discourses on this issue tended to essentialize sex-trade phenomenon and trading subjects, by either over presuming a fixated gender structure or liberated individuals. As to policy aspect, the ultimate goal for arguing the legality of sex-work seemed to dictate all debating efforts, whereas this legal dichotomy only caused insufficient discussions on all relevant issues. Therefore, the concept of Lacanian subject is introduced to imagine a more dynamic relation between subject and culture, in which the disintegrated subject situates its imaginary self. By this, the problematic focus is shifted from the inquired subject to the inquired ‘subject position’. In view of fluid desire and the subvertible symbol system, this shifting indicates a supporting policy, rather than a disciplinary one, as the proper legal structure for sex-workers. This approach can be helpful for dealing with prostitute stigma, as well as the complications of sex commodification in postmodern society. In conclusion, a constitutional sex-right as a performative, productive and creative right is suggested.