The content below was summarized and written by ChatGPT. No need for me to interject opinion into the facts – even ChatGPT’s equivocation doesn’t hide what is true. Supporting documents, if available, are provided as downloadable PDFs, and URLs for primary web sources have been linked, when known.

Women’s earning potential for self-objectification is unmatched

McKenzie 2019 Glamour Newsletter

Barrett-Ibarria 2020 The Guardian

The following is an excerpt from The New York Times article by Jennifer Valentino-DeVries and Michael H. Keller titled, “A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men” that was published in February 2024. It speaks to the sexual inaction and objectification of young girls - children – by mothers and a society which has blurred the lines between what women and women-to-be are worth to society in the face of the aggressive anonymous men who use the internet and women’s relative financial need to take whatever they can and feel entitled to more.

“Thousands of accounts examined by The Times offer disturbing insights into how social media is reshaping childhood, especially for girls, with direct parental encouragement and involvement. Some parents are the driving force behind the sale of photos, exclusive chat sessions and even the girls’ worn leotards and cheer outfits to mostly unknown followers. The most devoted customers spend thousands of dollars nurturing the underage relationships.

The large audiences boosted by men can benefit the families, The Times found. The bigger followings look impressive to brands and bolster chances of getting discounts, products and other financial incentives, and the accounts themselves are rewarded by Instagram’s algorithm with greater visibility on the platform, which in turn attracts more followers.

One calculation performed by an audience demographics firm found 32 million connections to male followers among the 5,000 accounts examined by The Times.

Interacting with the men opens the door to abuse. Some flatter, bully and blackmail girls and their parents to get racier and racier images. The Times monitored separate exchanges on Telegram, the messaging app, where men openly fantasize about sexually abusing the children they follow on Instagram and extol the platform for making the images so readily available.

“It’s like a candy store 😍😍😍,” one of them wrote. “God bless instamoms 🙌,” wrote another.

The troubling interactions on Instagram come as social media companies increasingly dominate the cultural landscape and the internet is seen as a career path of its own.

Nearly one in three preteens lists influencing as a career goal, and 11 percent of those born in Generation Z, between 1997 and 2012, describe themselves as influencers. The so-called creator economy surpasses $250 billion worldwide, according to Goldman Sachs, with U.S. brands spending more than $5 billion a year on influencers.

Health and technology experts have recently cautioned that social media presents a “profound risk of harm” for girls. Constant comparisons to their peers and face-altering filters are driving negative feelings of self-worth and promoting objectification of their bodies, researchers found.

But the pursuit of online fame, particularly through Instagram, has supercharged the often toxic phenomenon, The Times found, encouraging parents to commodify their children’s images. Some of the child influencers earn six-figure incomes, according to interviews.

“I really don’t want my child exploited on the internet,” said Kaelyn, a mother in Melbourne, Australia, who like Elissa and many other parents interviewed by The Times agreed to be identified only by a middle name to protect the privacy of her child.

“But she’s been doing this so long now,” she said. “Her numbers are so big. What do we do? Just stop it and walk away?”

Some girls on Instagram use their social media clout to get little more than clothing discounts; others receive gifts from Amazon wish lists, or money through Cash App; and still others earn thousands of dollars a month by selling subscriptions with exclusive content.

In interviews and online comments, parents said that their children enjoyed being on social media or that it was important for a future career. But some expressed misgivings. Kaelyn, whose daughter is now 17, said she worried that a childhood spent sporting bikinis online for adult men had scarred her.

“She’s written herself off and decided that the only way she’s going to have a future is to make a mint on OnlyFans,” she said, referring to a website that allows users to sell adult content to subscribers. “She has way more than that to offer.”

She warned mothers not to make their children social media influencers. “With the wisdom and knowledge I have now, if I could go back, I definitely wouldn’t do it,” she said. “I’ve been stupidly, naïvely, feeding a pack of monsters, and the regret is huge.”

Valentino-Devries & Keller 2024 NYT

men are exploitive & women have limited options – the dynamic is entrenched and snowballing

The objectification of women has been influenced by social media and the rise of incel culture in several ways:

1. Increased Exposure and Accessibility: Social media platforms have made it easier for individuals to access and share images and videos that objectify women. This has contributed to the normalization of objectification and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.

2. Pressure to Conform to Beauty Standards: Social media often promotes unrealistic beauty standards, which can contribute to the objectification of women. This pressure to conform to certain standards of beauty can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

3. Online Harassment and Misogyny: The rise of incel culture has led to an increase in online harassment and misogyny directed towards women. This can include derogatory comments, threats, and the spread of harmful stereotypes.

4. Impact on Mental Health: Exposure to objectification and online harassment can have a negative impact on women’s mental health, contributing to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

5. Normalization of Objectification: The normalization of objectification on social media and in incel culture can contribute to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and attitudes towards women.

6. Objectification and Violence: Research has shown that the objectification of women can contribute to a culture of violence against women. This can include sexual harassment, assault, and other forms of violence.

It’s important to recognize the impact that social media and incel culture can have on the objectification of women and to work towards promoting healthy and respectful attitudes towards women. This includes challenging harmful stereotypes, promoting positive representations of women, and fostering a culture of respect and equality.

Sex Roles (2007) 56:381–395 DOI 10.1007/s11199-006-9176-y

These articles are listed in References and collectively highlight the multifaceted issues surrounding high-end escort services and sex work, including legal, social, economic, and human rights dimensions. They touch upon themes such as exploitation, regulation, violence, stigma, and advocacy within the sex industry landscape. Each piece contributes to a broader understanding of the complexities and controversies surrounding this topic in contemporary society. The article directly linked below this, however, is a first hand account of the motivations, experience, and aftermath of being a sex worker. It is an altogether typical, descriptive, and normalizing account of the conditions many women in our society experience.

1. “The Reluctant Escorts” - The New York Times (1967)This article explores the experiences of young women engaged in escort work, focusing on a group in New York City. It discusses how these women often feel compelled to participate due to financial pressures and societal expectations, highlighting the challenges and stigma associated with this line of work during that era.

2. “NYPD Targets Sex Trafficking and Prostitution in NYC” - ABC7NYThis report covers efforts by the NYPD to combat sex trafficking and prostitution in New York City. It discusses recent arrests and operations targeting organized networks involved in these activities, emphasizing the intersection of coercion and exploitation in the sex industry.

3. “Call Girls, Updated” - The New York Times (2004)This article revisits the issue of high-end prostitution in New York City, reflecting on how the industry has evolved over time. It discusses the use of technology and the internet to facilitate transactions and the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing this type of sex work.

4. “Survival System: The Future of Decriminalized Sex Work” - Times UnionThis piece explores the debate around decriminalizing sex work, focusing on efforts to improve safety and reduce exploitation for individuals engaged in this industry. It discusses different approaches to regulation and highlights arguments for decriminalization as a means of empowering sex workers.

5. “UN General Assembly Brings ‘Hooker Convention’ to NYC” - Page SixThis article discusses the influx of high-priced escorts and sex workers to New York City during the UN General Assembly, highlighting the intersection of global events and the sex industry. It touches on the business aspects and clientele of high-end escort services.

6. “The Gilgo Beach Serial Killer” - The New York Times (2023)This article covers developments in the investigation of the Gilgo Beach serial killer case on Long Island, which involved the murder of several sex workers. It sheds light on the dangers faced by individuals in the sex industry and the challenges in addressing violence against them.

7. “Prostitution or Sex Work?” - The New York Times (2023)This opinion piece delves into the language used to discuss sex work and its implications. It explores the shift towards using terms like “sex work” instead of “prostitution” to destigmatize and recognize the agency of individuals involved in the industry.

8. “Justice Department Investigating Brothel That May Have Ties to Prominent Figures” - The New York Times (2023)This article reports on a federal investigation into a brothel with potential connections to influential individuals. It highlights the legal complexities and ethical considerations surrounding the regulation of commercial sex establishments.

9. “In New York, Sex Workers Organize for Workplace Protections” - The New York Times (2021)This article profiles efforts by sex workers in New York City to advocate for workplace protections and improved conditions. It discusses the challenges they face, including discrimination and violence, and their push for policy reforms to enhance their rights and safety.

Brown 2019 Glamour Newsletter