Sexual gratification is an important part of American life. Prostitution and pornography are two ways of gaining sexual gratification that deviate from the norm. Both involve contradictions and incompatibility with the desired quality of life, and both are sustained by multiple-level factors. At any one time, hundreds of thousands of prostitutes are at work in the nation. The prostitute's quality of life is diminished by physical problems inherent in "the life," as well as by psychological, emotional, and economic problems, including fear, alienation, isolation, and exploitation.

Prostitution is maintained because of (1) norms about nonmarital sex and open discussion of sex; (2) lack of sexual gratification in marriage; and (3) characteristics of the economy, such as jobs that require men to travel and women being discriminated against in job opportunities and income. The tolerance of prostitution on the part of both the public and officials is rooted in American ideology about sexuality--the notion that male sexuality, in contrast to female sexuality, must find expression.

It is important to distinguish between pornography, erotica, and obscenity. Such materials are available in multiple forms and are widely consumed in America. Pornographic and obscene materials have a negative impact on the quality of life by exploiting children; degrading women; and, in the case of violent pornography, increasing aggressive attitudes and behavior of men toward women.

The materials continue to be widely available for a number of reasons. They are extremely profitable; efforts to suppress them raise the issue of First Amendment rights; and public attitudes are divided, perhaps reflecting concern over censorship.

Homosexuality, the third type of behavioral variance, is the sexual orientation of at least 2 to 3 percent of American women and 3 to 4 percent of American men. Both biological and sociocultural explanations are offered in the chapter about why some people are homosexual in the face of strong pressures to be heterosexual. Studies of brain structure and of twins suggest a biological basis for homosexuality. Findings on family and peer group relationships and on patterns of sexual behavior over the life span suggest that sociocultural factors underlie homosexual behavior. Both viewpoints probably have some validity.

The quality of life for homosexuals is diminished by various factors. A number of myths detract from the dignity of homosexuals. The quality of life is also diminished by the lack of equality of opportunity, by negative sanctions, and by the fear and the psychological and emotional problems that result from societal rejection and oppression.

Social structural factors that tend to perpetuate prejudice and discrimination against homosexuals include societal norms and the legal and religious policies and practices that support those norms. Social psychological factors include attitudes toward extending full rights to homosexuals, and ideologies about the morality and healthiness of homosexuality.