The Industrial Vagina

Summary

Jeffreys discusses prostitution and the sex industry. She argues that women involved in prostitution rarely profit from it, despite a popular view to the contrary. She describes marriage as a kind of prostitution.

Reception

The Industrial Vagina received positive reviews from feminist Julie Bindel in The Guardian, Sarah Nelson in Women's Studies, a reviewer in The Contemporary Review, and Mindy A. Menn in the Journal of Sex Research. Bindel wrote that "The strength of Jeffreys' new work lies in just how many aspects of the sex industry she covers, and her understanding of their intersections." Nelson credited Jeffreys with demonstrating "the ways in which governments eager for revenue have decriminalized the sex trade" and concluded that her "provocative book ... should be devoured by any with an interest in gender, feminism, globalization, economy, sociology, cultural studies, and history." The Contemporary Review called the book "timely, shocking and, sadly, necessary."

Menn credited Jeffreys with discussing "the intricately intertwined facets of the global sex industry" more broadly than any other author, with "focusing on a broad spectrum of issues and incorporating empirical data from around the globe on each aspect of the industry", and with meticulously documenting the subject. She also praised Jeffreys's "unapologetic, radical feminist writing style".

The Industrial Vagina also received reviews by Natalie Purcell in Feminism & Psychology, Vidyamali Samarasinghe in Gender & Society, and Nicola J. Smith in the Review of International Political Economy, and was discussed by Kate Holden in Meanjin.