How do sex robots impact our society in general and the life of female-identified people and gender equality in particular?
A new perspective has been added to the discussion on the future of sex robots: Their effect on gender equality and female-identified people. Most prominently Kathleen Richardson – Professor of Ethics and Culture of Robots and AI – has campaigned since 2015 for a ban of sex robots, fearing a backlash on female-identified people in general, stronger violence against female-identified people, and children as well as an increasing objectification of the female gender.
Besides science, the media is also shaping the general view of the public about this new technology. Sex robots have repeatedly appeared in (online) newspapers in recent years. These media spotlights often cover emotional aspects either focusing on risks and feeding on fears or celebrating the new advantages for sex life and therapy. Media also rises concerns on the highly sexualized, mostly female modeled robots, which accord to exaggerated beauty ideals (Mendgen, 2020). Critics fear that this could push the problem of unrealistic body norms once again (Fröhlich, 2018).
Sources:
Mendgen, A. (2020, February 29). Sexroboter: Der Mensch in der Maschine. Die Zeit. https://www.zeit.de/digital/internet/2020-02/sexroboter-sexualitaet-ki-digitalisierung-begehren
Fröhlich, S. (2018, December 2). Sexroboter – Das Geschäft mit der künstlichen Liebe. https://www.rnd.de/panorama/sexroboter-das-geschaft-mit-der-kunstlichen-liebe-CK5X45PLMRAHARYJ7IGXSLILSE.html
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