This critique examines the argument that Pruitt and LaFont (1995) develops about sex tourism in Jamaica, where European and American female tourism travels to Jamaica for romantic affairs with Jamaican men.
The authors start by elaborating on a gap in the existing knowledge. In particular, the note that the existing studies focus mainly on male sex tourism in which male tourists engage local women in sexual, emotional, and romantic affairs (Gorry, 2003). In this case, the previous studies fail to consider the increasing evidence of women’s involvement in sex and romantic tourism.
The authors highlight two major aspects that have contributed to the rising cases of female sex tourism. According to the article, women’s identities in Europe and North America are being transformed “beyond the confines of the traditional gender scripts within their cultures” (Pruitt & LaFont, 1995). The media and public perceptions of women having more powers have increased significantly in Europe and America, which makes women develop the need to exercise the freedom conferred to them by the new identities and economic abilities.
On the other hand, the local Jamaican men associate themselves with foreign tourists, breaking the culture and normative authorities of their societies (Pruitt & LaFont, 1995). They obtain the freedom to explore new gender roles while also pursuing economic gains from the new kind of freedom in society (Clift & Carter, 2007).
Secondly, the authors attempt to construct the concept of “romance tourism” in order to differentiate it from the traditional concept of sex tourism (Pruitt & LaFont, 1995). In this case, the authors argue that gender roles have been reversed. European and American women travel in pursuit of sexual and emotional satisfaction. In the traditional concept of sex tourism, American and European men travel to look for foreign women, especially in the developing world (Pruitt & LaFont, 1995).
To construct this concept, the authors highlight the studies they conducted in Jamaica between 1989 and 1992, attempting to bring forward the new form of sex tourism involving foreign women and local men in the country. According to the authors, their study was based on ethnographic interviews with 18 informants (Pruitt & LaFont, 1995). The study drew information from the researchers’ experience as foreign women in the country.
The findings of the study and the experience of the researchers indicated that a common phenomenon in the local tourism facilities includes foreign women, mainly from North America and Europe, traveling with local men (Herold, Garcia & DeMoya, 2009). They state that foreign women tend to “be on arms of the local men”.
In the second part of the article, the authors explain the concept of romance tourism. In this case, the issues of transforming identities of women and their economic prowess in the recent past have been highlighted. These are the main factors contributing to their desire to travel in search of romance in foreign countries. An important part of romance tourism is the “touring romance,” a concept that the authors use to elaborate on the main issue of romance tourism (Pruitt & LaFont, 1995). The authors state that foreign women are seen as coming to Jamaica for vacation. On the other hand, foreign women come to Jamaica not only for vocation but also to experience freedom.
The authors argue that local men believe that foreign women are tender, emotional, and sexually driven than Jamaican women. In addition, they believe that foreign women are able to satisfy their sexual needs because local women reject males who are seen as “sex objects” of foreigners.
The authors also describe the need for money exemplified by males who seek to make intimate relationships with foreign tourists. Men pursue foreign women to make money while also meeting women’s sexual needs (De Albuquerque, 2004).
The ideology of the Rastafarian movement has also been highlighted. The authors state the media in Europe and American describe all Jamaican men as members of the movement. Women in Europe and American develop a desire to experience romantic relationships with local men (Clift & Carter, 2007).
The authors also state that beyond romance, both parties expect to gain something. Local men expect to establish long-term relationships with foreign women, some even seeking to go abroad (Clift & Carter, 2007). On the other hand, some foreign women expect to come back to the country in the future and experience romance with their local males.
The overall strength of this argument is that it is based on an empirical study and a strong experience of the authors. Noteworthy, the authors were foreign tourists in Jamaican before and during the study. Secondly, it attempts to explain a relatively new phenomenon that has not received the attention of previous researchers. The article contributes to the growing body of knowledge about the increasing changes in tourism, the social system, and international affairs affecting the Jamaican society and economy.
References
Clift, S., & Carter, S. (2007). Tourism and Sex: Culture, Commerce and Coercion. London: Pinter.
De Albuquerque, K. (2004). Sex, Beach Boys and Female Tourists in the Caribbean. Sexuality & Culture. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction.
Gorry, A. M. (2003). Leaving Home for Romance: Tourist Women’s Adventures Abroad. Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Herold, E., Garcia, R., & DeMoya, T. (2009). Female Tourists and Beach Boys: Romance or Sex Tourism? Annals of Tourism Research 28(4), 978–997.
Pruitt, D., & LaFont, S. (1995). For love and money: Romance tourism in Jamaica. Annals of tourism research 22(2), 422-440.