While much of the attention paid to the sex industry is based on discussions of prostitution, adult erotic entertainment represents a dynamic and evolving segment of the entity expansive that is the sex industry. Furthermore, sexual entertainment is an art form that not only stimulates arousal in those seeking its gratification, but also defines attitudes, expectations, beliefs, social norms, gender roles and authenticity of sexuality and sexual desire for individuals located within that culture. where it is consumed (Webber, 2012). Like any other art, sex industry performers must develop, master, and maintain a variety of skills and talents to be successful, have longevity, and earn a living in the sex industry. However, the common perception among the uninitiated inhabitants of society seems to be that those who work in the adult erotic entertainment industry are damaged goods; they are desperate individuals who have been subjected to abuse, trauma, and maladaptive childhoods, while lacking any aptitude or form of intellect that would allow them to succeed in the mainstream workforce (Griffith, Mitchell, Hart, Adams, & Gu, 2013). Furthermore, sex workers, including adult erotic entertainers, continue to be subject to dehumanization as they are routinely relegated to the margins of society despite providing a service that meets the emotional, holistic and carnal needs of millions of consumers around the world. The purpose of this essay will be to help eliminate these stereotypes and clarify that those who work in the sexual entertainment industry do not need to be placed into such banal and clichéd categorizations and instead be seen as no different from any other individual who seeks self-realization. .... middle of paper ...... Cited Griffith, J. D., Mitchell, S., Hart, C. L., Adams, L. T, & Gu, L. L. (2013). Pornographic actresses: an evaluation of the damaged goods hypothesis. Journal of Sex Research, 50(7), 621-632.Lewis, J. (2006). “I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine”: The role of reciprocity, power and autonomy in the strip club. Canadian Review of Sociology, 43(3), 297-311. Miller-Young, M. (2010). Putting hypersexuality to work: Black women and illicit eroticism in pornography. Sexuality, 13(2), 219-235. Robertson, W. (2012, March 7). The healing power of sex: A stripper wants to end the stigma placed on people employed in her industry. The Georgia Straight. Retrieved from http://www.straight.com/life/healing-power-sex-work Webber, V. (2012). Shades of gay: Girl-on-girl pornography performances and mobile authenticity. Sexuality, 16(1/2), 217-235.