Corner Post Editorial —
Proliferation of adult stores is bad for society
by Abby Grimmett, posted May 14, 2008
Although many community members may feel indifferent to the adult stores and sex shops in the area, those with established faiths, like myself, have strong opinions. I was recently working on a project for a class that required me to examine the relationship of adult shops on rural communities and relationships. I was apprehensive about opening my mind to this kind of industry, and needless to say, it is an experience I’ll never forget.
These days, it seems that sex has become something that is acceptable, not something that is shameful, or kept behind closed doors. Growing up, it was something that was never talked about, seen on TV, or even acknowledged. Now openly sexual behavior is socially normal. In Columbia alone, there are five adult stores that seem to be saying to the community: sex is a perfectly normal, natural thing.
But why do we have to embrace this?
The Rev. Paul Lehman, also an organic farmer, from Fulton, Mo., discussed the issues of the impact of the adult industry on community.
Lehman was adamant about the negative impact that the industry has on the community and society as a whole.
“There is no positive value or positive economic impact or no positive moral value,” said Lehman. “There’s no gain on creating a decline in societal moral values.”
Is using sexual material really unhealthy for relationships?
I have always had concerns that the adult industry could cause problems or even potentially ruin relationships. Store owners interviewed for the class project insist that the different facets of the adult industry do nothing of the sort, but in fact, enhance relationships.
But according to Lehman, pornography and adult stores are the demise of many relationships, and he is not alone in this opinion. According to an article in Time magazine, a number of psychologists and sociologists have joined the chorus of religious leaders in warning about the impact of pervasive pornography.
“From a Christian perspective, it causes the erosion of relationships,” Lehman said. “It causes trouble in marriages and it so frequently leads to other issues.”
A 2003 online study by Texas Christian University found that the more pornography men watch, the more likely they are to describe women in sexualized terms and categorize women in traditional gender roles.
Mark Schwartz, director of the Masters and Johnson clinic in St. Louis, says porn not only causes men to objectify women, but also leads to a dependency on visual imagery for arousal.
"Men become like computers, unable to be stimulated by the human beings beside them," Schwartz said. "The image of a lonely, isolated man masturbating to his computer is the Willy Loman metaphor of our decade."
Lehman also agrees.
“It’s just my opinion, but it does seem that [adult stores] are aimed at males,” he said. “It gives men a distorted view of women and their sexuality and it leads them to have unhealthy views of women.”
Who’s really benefiting from the adult stores in rural communities?
I understand that there is a market for stores of this nature. Why are there five stores along with two “gentleman’s clubs” in Columbia alone. However, every student and friend I talked to felt this was too high of a concentration of stores in a small community like this. So why are there so many? Do they even do anything for the community?
Mitch Harrington, general manager of Venus Adult Megastore agreed that there are too many stores here, but says it is good for the industry as it provides competitive pricing, and product variety, and that they are reputable businesses.
“There’s always a stigma with adult stores being seedy and illegal and it’s just not true,” Harrington said. “I’m sure there are some, but all in all, I think it’s a very good thing for the community.”
How is it good for the community, I wondered. I dug further.
After speaking with Brett Wiseman, the general manager of Passions, I learned that the store donates money to select organizations within the community of Columbia. I asked myself: “Is this just so they can try to have a better reputation within the community, a publicity stunt, or do they genuinely care?”
Brett did point out that organizations that accept money from Passions keep the benefactors identity anonymous. I was not shocked.
“That just goes to show that people actually don’t approve of this industry,” said Lehman. “People are ashamed and don’t want to have anything to do with it.”
Lehman also mentioned that the stores aren’t economically significant in Missouri.
“There is no positive economic impact from these stores,” he said. “It’s not like corn or soybeans. Their products are not made in Missouri. The shops do not employ a lot of people and there are minimal tax benefits.”
Rural vs. Urban
Lehman insisted that a store's popularity in a community is not determined by its size, but rather the demographics. For instance, in more liberal places such as San Francisco or Los Angeles, stores of this nature may be more socially acceptable than in cities such as St. Louis or Milwaukee.
“In larger communities and cities, there would obviously be a larger cliental, but I don’t think the overall approval is higher. It just has to do with community attitudes, not size.”
I always feel uncomfortable when I’m driving on the highway, especially when I’m with my parents or elders, and I see billboards advertising the stores. “XXX,” “LIVE GIRLS,” “VIDEOS,” are plastered everywhere and cannot be avoided. I wonder what it’s like to have a small child with you and ask, “What does XXX mean, Mom?”
Along the stretch of I-70 between St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., there are eight adult stores, making it the highest concentration in the Midwest. The high concentration of adult stores in Missouri, particularly along Interstate 70, is a deep concern for Lehman.
“It is embarrassing for the state of Missouri,” he said. “From a Christian and ethical point of view, it is not right to make your money this way. It is comparable to slavery or child labor. It is unacceptable.”
Is it just a sign of the times?
It seems that more and more people are becoming used to the fact that there is such a strong presence of adult stores around their communities. As a college student, sex is something that is constantly a topic. One of most talked about events on campus was the appearance of Sue Johanssen, a “Sexpert” who spoke at a sold-out show in Jesse Hall.
Storeowners and managers repeatedly argue that people are embracing their sexuality and becoming more open to exploring with their partner. But religious groups fear the upcoming decline in moral character.
“It’s sad to say, but the general attitude in this day and age is that sex is no big deal, and I feel the Internet has especially intensified this new acceptance,” Lehman said. “It seems that to so many, nothing is sacred anymore.”
It is the Rev. Lehman’s hope that the livelihood of these adult stores will be short-lived, and that society will realize how it collectively has a negative impact on the world.
“This is not just a benign business. It is one that actually hurts people, and I don’t understand why people are starting to embrace it.”
And I totally agree. It is one thing to have your own moral standards and beliefs; however, I don’t understand why we have to be subjected to living with these stores. How do you feel about having two adult stores down the road from a park where you take your children? Is a town like Columbia big enough to be home to five stores, along with many outside the city limits? I have many concerns and dislike their strong presence, but unfortunately, the stores seem to be here to stay.
