Stigma In Pretty Woman

The 1990 romantic comedy, Pretty Woman, is a popular film that represents several aspects of feminism through the character of Vivian Ward, a prostitute who experiences a change in social class when she meets corporate businessman, Edward Lewis. The film demonstrates society's placement of sex workers and the inequalities they face in everyday life due to the stigma and generalizations of the whole sex industry. I argue that the film Pretty Woman addresses the issues in society of the marginalization of sex workers and the high stigmatization that is associated with acts of sex work. In addition, through the character of Vivian, it is emphasized that sex workers have agency and empowerment of their own desires. I believe Vivian’s strong sense

The sex industry contains negative labels which target the lives of each individual involved in these perceived sinful acts. In the article, “The Stigma of Sex Work”, Maria Ma illustrates that “part of the stigmatization of sex work includes the notion that sex workers are trafficking victims, or maybe just victims in general, as women who are able to make their own decisions would and could not possibly choose to be a sex worker.” The negative perception that all sex workers are victims is proven wrong in the film, Pretty Woman in several scenes. This is portrayed when Vivian discusses how she willingly became a sex worker to reach financial autonomy and support herself. She does so without working under control of a pimp which clearly emphasizes Vivian’s independence and freedom over her own life decisions as a sex worker. She further establishes her agency by repeating the line, “we say who, we say when, we say how much” throughout the film. This line truly expresses her power as a sex worker to determine the actions of her own body. Another scene that illustrates that Vivian is not a victim of sex work was her denial of Edward’s plan to “get her off the streets” by buying her an apartment and a car and money to start fresh. She explains that she does not need to be rescued. This lifestyle was her choice and she does not need a wealthy businessman to save her and take away her empowerment

These stigmas uphold many stereotypes that have been created over time due to several social influences such as pop culture. In the film, Pretty Woman, many stereotypes about sex workers are portrayed to the audience. A main stereotype relates to socioeconomic class and the quick assumption that due to Vivian’s appearance and occupation she is of lower class status. In the beginning of the film, she is judged by her appearance and looked down upon by individuals in the higher class while at the clothing store, at the hotel, and on the streets. This emphasizes the assumption of lower class status by society affects her social rights in certain contexts. Another stereotype presented in Pretty Woman, is the relation between sex work and drugs. The scene where Vivian’s confronts her roommate and co-worker, Kit, about her spending their rent money on drugs displays the common belief that all sex workers use or are addicted to drugs. However, this generalization does not apply to Vivian. Furthermore, the stereotype that “most or all sex workers were physically or sexually abused as children” is not necessarily true for all sex workers (Weitzer, 5). Although in the film it discusses that Vivian has been involved with some questionable men, she has never been assaulted as a child or as a sex worker. These stereotypes may apply to some individuals who are involved in sex work, but these beliefs should not be