Public Sex in a Latin Society [Paperback]

Jacobo Schifter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 1999

Explore the risks and rewards of seeking and having sex in public places!

Public Sex in a Latin Society is one of the first books to explore the lives of people who look for sex in public places and the dangers involved--from murder to HIV infection. The book examines why many gay men have been murdered by sex workers who frequent public sex places, such as the parks, bathhouses, or saunas, and suggests some basic safety rules. Containing interviews with police officials, murderers, and sex workers, Public Sex in a Latin Society explores the motivations for seeking public sex, why gay men who have sex in public are sometimes murdered, and how these killings could be prevented.

This eye-opening book contains studies that examine mechanisms for assault and crime and examines data on the roles that sexual and physical abuse play in sex workers and their clients. Public Sex in a Latin Society explores Latin society's Catholic church-influenced negative view of homosexuality, explaining why gay men are seen as the equivalent of murderers and thieves, why the topic is censored in the media, and why client murders are rarely investigated.

Public Sex in a Latin Society discusses the dangers facing public sex seekers and suggests guidelines, such as:

• refrain from flaunting wealth or wearing fine jewelry or clothes when looking for public sex to decrease the chances of getting mugged or physically assaulted
• never try to negotiate changes to the agreement or method of payment after sex--this can bring on physical harm or even death
• do not make advances or ask for sexual acts that were not agreed upon and be especially careful about everything relating to anal sex
• never take drugs or drink alcohol while seeking sex in order to be alert if you are attacked
  
  Public Sex in a Latin Society provides you with a shocking analysis of how public sex in Latin America has become part of the Latin economy without advancing sexual liberation or social equality. This provocative and intelligent book will give you a better understanding of Latin American sexual culture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (December 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560239867
• ISBN-13: 978-1560239864
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,999,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and thought provoking..., June 10, 2003

By 

Neil J. Hajba "neil_in_la" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Public Sex in a Latin Society (Paperback)

This little tomb of knowledge provides anyone interested in Latino studies, sexuality studies, queer studies, sociology, cultural anthropology and very intimate and academic view of Public Sex within the macho dominated Latino culture and sub-culture.

Written towards an educated and/or academic audience, this book offers insight into the sexual norms, abnormalities, practices, taboos, alternative lifestyles and distinct culture of sex.

This book is highly recommended for anyone working within the HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, & Treatment field and should be required reading for students of Latino (Ethnic/Area) studies.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Public Sex in Latin Society, January 22, 2004

By 

Michael S. Waren "schoeder" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Public Sex in a Latin Society (Paperback)

Author Jacob Schifter, PhD provides an eye-opening account into a subject matter that is too often ignored in Latino culture. Schifter utilizes both quantitative and qualitative research methods into uncovering this phenomenon in Costa Rica. A qualitative scholar myself, it was these participant's accounts that I read directly (some funny, some very sad). Schifter makes a good argument stating that these participants experiences of childhood sexual abuse are what dictates these participants current sexuality as adults. (Can't say I agree 100% with this, but it is a convincing argument nonetheless. Also, while I recognize that this an all too important work I question if this work really reflects the attitudes of all of Latin Society).

Schifter uncovers locations for public sexual activity in Costa Rica. The difference between Cacheros and Locusts. (Cacheros are male prostitutes that are not considered homosexual as long as they aren't penetrated; Locusts utilize their sexual allure to attract paying male customers and often rob or murder them). Rounding out the chapter Schifter shows the attitudes of police officers toward gay Latino men, which is a direct reflection of the country's own homophobia and hatred.