A Pornographic Ethnographic Study: The Lives of Online Sex Workers

Abstract

This ethnographic research examines different experiences of female-bodied performers in the adult film industry. The pornographic industry carries the reputation of being exploitative and seedy. Through analysis of the performer’s lived experiences, it becomes clear that the industry is far more nuanced than most assume. The average daily experience of online sex workers is reviewed and examined, and then the mental, emotional, and social impacts that performers face from their line of work are explored. The unique communities they build and how they find support are discussed as how these intersect with judgment and shame. This paper explores how the roles of stigma, trauma, and embodiment of sexualized characters greatly shape the experiences of online sex workers.