Overview

How should issues of sexuality and power in China be interpreted? Are China scholars really able to translate linguistically and culturally the 'truth' of China? And to what extent do fieldwork and interviews locate a study in the 'real life' of a country and its people? China, Sex and Prostitution is a topical and important critique of recent scholarship in China Studies, feminist studies and social theory. By examining recent literature on sexuality, power and prostitution, this book engages with contemporary debates concerning the application of mainstream theories in contexts other than those in which they were originally formulated. Beginning controversially with a critique of China scholarship since the Cold War, the text moves on to an examination of recent writing on sexuality in China. Through an analysis of government control and policing of prostitution the work highlights the unproductive nature of feminist debates over the most favorable responses to prostitution. It suggests that the very diversity of prostitution businesses and practices that exist in present day China show that it is not possible to characterize 'sex work' as a target for governmental intervention. Jeffrey's arguments are constructed on the basis of detailed analysis of a wide range of primary texts, including documents, press reports, police reports, and policy and legal pronouncements, and secondary literature in both English and Chinese. The work engages with some key debates in the fields of cultural and gender studies and will be welcomed by scholars in these areas as well as China specialists, sociologists and anthropologists.

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9780415318631

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Reviews

'Jeffreys' study of the Chinese policing of prostitution is a very important empirical contribution to the study of Chinese policing and Chinese perspectives on prostitution. Her approach also challenges the applicability of liberal concepts of sex work and prostitutes' rights to contexts beyond China.' - The China Review 'Jeffrey's book is a must-read for all China scholars because as China transitions so must the academic field that professionally interprets it.' - China Information 'Jeffreys' study of the Chinese policing of prostitution is a very important empirical contribution to the study of Chinese policing and Chinese perspectives on prostitution. Her approach also challenges the applicability of liberal concepts of sex work and prostitutes' rights to contexts beyond China.' - The China Review 'Jeffrey's book is a must-read for all China scholars because as China transitions so must the academic field that professionally interprets it.' - China Information 'Readers interested in discourses about sex and prostitution will find good material here.' - The China Quarterly

<p>'Jeffreys' study of the Chinese policing of prostitution is a very important empirical contribution to the study of Chinese policing and Chinese perspectives on prostitution. Her approach also challenges the applicability of liberal concepts of sex work and prostitutes' rights to contexts beyond China.' - The China Review <p>'Jeffrey's book is a must-read for all China scholars because as China transitions so must the academic field that professionally interprets it.' - China Information

<p>'Jeffreys' study of the Chinese policing of prostitution is a very important empirical contribution to the study of Chinese policing and Chinese perspectives on prostitution. Her approach also challenges the applicability of liberal concepts of sex work and prostitutes' rights to contexts beyond China.' - The China Review<p>'Jeffrey's book is a must-read for all China scholars because as China transitions so must the academic field that professionally interprets it.' - China Information

Author Information

Elaine Jeffreys lectures in China Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

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