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Assignment 11

Cabezas’ article illustrates the similarities between Cuba and Dominican Republic’s economy and social outcomes, as a result of international sex tourism. One such outcome is that this type of labor is not linked to just a money exchange, but to a way to obtain long-term resources such as migration, marriage, recreation, and an ongoing income from the same sex tourists. The author further discusses that part of the problem is that “sex workers” and “sex tourists”, do not identify themselves, as these labels would suggest. Although, in both Cuba and Dominican Republic prostitution is not illegal, Cabezas discusses that this shift has impacted the local laws.

According to Cabezas, the economy in both countries has caused “internal prostitution” and workers to rely on domestic services for income. The present laws in both countries are geared to encourage income from sex tourism. This has caused sex tourism to be acceptable, because it blends into society. This has occurred because most of sex tourism is taking place at hotel suites, and not in brothels. It has created what Cabezas refers to as “emotional economy, and government laws influence this economy. For example, the military keep out the local population from tourist areas. This causes “sex tourism” to occur between the guests and hotel workers.

Cabezas argument links these practices to race, gender, and class. Dark skinned woman get arrested more that light skinned woman from good neighborhoods. The law permits arresting women if they are found in public places and are not accompanied. On the other hand, male “sex workers” are viewed as heroes while woman are seen as deviant figures in society. She further states that the darker skin women are labeled as dangerous. For example, woman can be placed in institutions/ rehabilitation centers in Cuba. These arrests serve for the government to exert their power and further promote “sex tourism”.