O trabalho sexual online como exercício de sexualidades e subjetividades femininas cisgêneros: uma análise sobre o webcamming na plataforma brasileira Câmera Privê

Abstract

In the age of information and technological innovation that shapes human behavior and interactions, the webcamming and virtual sex platforms environment, as an objective of this research, the “Camera Privê”, is the perfect example as how the sexuality expressions are affected by mediatization. Inside this environment, we can find the presence of individuals that are part of the sexual working field: the webcam models; That use this online environment as a way on sustenance, extra income and as a way to express their subjectivities and empowerment through the exercise of their sexuality. On the age of information and technological innovation that shape the behavior and human interactions, the environment of webcamming and virtual sex platforms, as an objective of this research, the “Camera Privê”, is the perfect example as how the sexuality exercises are affected by mediatization. Inside this environment, we can find the presence of individuals that are part of the sexual working field: the webcam models that use this online environment as a way on sustenance, extra income and to express their subjectivity and empowerment through the exercise of their sexuality. The objective of this research is to investigate the practices of the Brazilian female webcamming in the (re)construction of the cisgender female subjectivities, with the virtual scenario as a space where the body is positioned as a political object of resistance and existence. Specifically, this research aims to understand how women who lead these webcamming practices, view the act of camming and to explore how this virtual space provides a venue for female autonomy. The research employed in-depth interview methodologies approaches, along with virtual ethnographic observations on the “Camera Privê” platform. As a result, it was determined that, although the camming has promoted significantly self-esteem and sexuality improvements of the interviewed models, it remains a practice embedded in neoliberal economic exploitation and surrounded by social stigmas. Lastly, it’s important to emphasize that the research did not aim to romanticize or criticize webcamming, because it is a practice filled with contradictions, according to the perspective of the interviewees and those working on this field.