The Regulation of Sex Robots

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An argumentative study regarding the possible risks sex robots

expose women and children to

Ida Rasmusson

Human Rights Bachelor Thesis, 12 credits

Spring 2019 Supervisor: Johan Brännmark

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this thesis is to defend and prove, through four contexts and various arguments, the research standpoint which states that there should be a regulation of sex robots and the use of sex robots. The method used is an argumentation analysis which is used to analyze the arguments pro and contra sex robots and the use of the robotic device. Through a normative framework, the precautionary principle is applied, along with various Human Rights Conventions, as a ground in favor of the regulation. The concluding thoughts of the thesis show that the majority of arguments prove there being the possible risks of objectification, pedophilia, sexual assault, and rape, that sex robots expose women and children to, and therefore there should be a regulation of sex robots and the use of sex robots.

KEYWORDS

Sex Robots, Regulation, Sexual Assault, Pedophilia, Prostitution, Disabilities

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CEDAW

CRPD

UNCRC

WHO

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Introduction of Topic

Women are and have almost always been identified as a suppressed and subordinate gender, this is due to their position in society and the historical picture of women, but most acknowledgeable, it is due to their comparison with men and the male gender as they are, most often, viewed as superiority. When the sex industry, in combination with technology in terms of artificial intelligence, introduces the sex robot, the picture of women as subordinates does not disappear.

The most common design of a sex robot is in the shape and replication of a woman, and in some severe cases, as a child. Through various websites made by companies designing sex robots, one can choose how their sex robot should look like. Blonde or brunette, blue eyes or green eyes, what type of color on the skin. But this is not all. One can also choose the size of the breasts, what size and color of the nipples, the size of the buttocks, what form the labia should have, and how hairy the private part should be. One could also decide if there should be a setting for the sex robot to give consent to sexual acts or not. One is, in other words, able to create the exact version of a sex robot they want, which could be seen as their ability to create the correct version of their preferable woman, or in some cases, their preferred child.

As the sex robot industry is vastly growing and becoming more popular, more people are now able to purchase the robotic device and make use of it. But for what reason? Is it only because they want to try it and see how it feels? Or is it used in the manner of expressing one's sexual desire for sexual assault, abuse, and rape? What about the child replicated sex robot, how will this robotic device be used? And by whom? What if one were to use the sex robot as a way to express their lust for sexual assault and abuse, and what if that person were to show it on a child sex robot, how would that come to affect actual human women and children? If this could be the case, how would one stop it?

As one does not entirely know how and why one would use a sex robot, it could result in possible risks of danger or harm, which could be a direction towards women and children. Due to the dehumanization of women and children sex robots contribute to, and the possible risks that they

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could be exposed to, this study argues in favor of the regulation of sex robots and the use of sex robots.

1.2. Aim and Research Problem

Sex robots are a big part of today's modern technology, along with the sex industry. It exists for those who are lonely and in need of some company and companion, but it is also here for those who want to fulfill their biggest fantasies - good ones and bad. A sex robot is available for purchase for every person, but there is no assurance that the usage is for a good cause and there is no one or nothing that can stop a person from using it with bad intentions. One might need it due to them being introvert or suffering from a disability, but there might be those who use it in other purposes, e.g., to perform sexual fantasies in the form of sexual assault and abuse.

This thesis aims to, by various arguments, look into different contexts to understand the usage of sex robots, and further, argue in favor of the need of the regulation of sex robots and the use of sex robots as they could create possible risks of women and children. The purpose of these arguments is to understand why people with various backgrounds, mindsets, and desires, in different contexts might feel the need and urge to use sex robots, and further argue whether these needs are of a logical understanding or whether the usage and availability could cause more damage than good to the those exposed to the machine. Furthermore, this thesis will provide for both the positive and negative impacts along with the advantages and disadvantages sex robots might have, and further make an understanding on how it might come to affect the human population in the future, but most essential, how it might come to affect women and children.

1.3. Research Standpoint

This study is considered as a theoretical thesis which will apply an argumentation analysis as the choice of method. Therefore I have chosen to have a research standpoint rather than a research question. A research standpoint is a statement which will be defended, proven, or refuted through various argumentations.

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The thesis of this study is; Sex robots, and therefore the use of sex robots, should be regulated as

without any regulation, sex robots risk upholding activities of objectification, pedophilia, rape, and sexual assault, which could be harmful to women and children.

1.4. Relevance to Human Rights

Sex robots might not be the most prominent subject concerning human rights. However, when looking into the question, one can see that the usage, shape, and design of the robotic devices violate and discriminate the rights of both women and children.

As mentioned, the sex robot is designed to fulfill the customers’ specific preference of appearance, physical shape, along with the shape of the genitalia and nipples. With this availability, it does not only discriminate women and children due to their bodily integrity, but it also dehumanizes, sexualize, objectifies, and suppress them. Furthermore, there are sex robots that are in the shape of male bodies. However, the manufacturing and production of these male robots are never to come close to the production of the female sex robot.

Women have, for so many years, been objectified, sexualized, and degraded because of their gender, in our offices, on the street, in the bar, and our homes. With this creation and design, it is like taking a step back in progress we made with equality and bringing an end of humanism. Considering there are robotic devices in the shape and representation of a child, this indicates that pedophilia and the pedophilic behavior is somewhat normalized and accepted. A sexual act performed on a child-like robot could result in more sexual acts in forms of sexual assault, abuse, and rape, and could enhance the performance of an actual human child. If this were to happen, along with the performance of abusive sexual acts of women, it does not only normalize the unhealthy and dangerous view; it could also violate women’s and children’s human rights.

The relevance to human rights will be further evaluated in chapter 4 and 5 of this thesis as it will present the various conventions that risk being violated and also analyze these potential risks.

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1.5. Terminology

Throughout this chapter, the terminology will be discussed in order to avoid any confusion further on in the essay.

Regulation is defined as a term that controls, limits, or guides social behavior. The concept of

regulation indicates the rules of the structural behavior of people, without asking for the source of the rules or how they are introduced. Furthermore, the term has various meanings depending on the context of the appliance. In the area of public policy, regulation refers to a public notice of targeted rules, which most commonly are accompanied by an authoritative mechanism for surveillance and claiming conformity. Another definition of regulation focuses on the manners of social control. This understanding of regulation includes norms that exercise social control that is not necessarily a premeditated act of guidance (Britannica Academic 2019). In this study, the concept of regulation is based on the rules, guidance, and control it applies to the social behavior and structural behavior of people.

Pedophilia, pedophilic disorder, or child molestation, is a psychosexual disorder most commonly

affected on adults, where one attempts to be involved with, or/and withholds sexual fantasies about, sexual acts with prepubescent children of the same or opposite gender. A pedophile has the inability to provide satisfaction in an adult relationship and has a dominant sexual attraction towards children, instead, that they either act on or live in fear of covering it (Britannica Academic 2019).

Prostitution is a practice that engages in sexual activity in exchange for money or other valuables.

The practice is most commonly between two people that do not have any relation to one another, i.e., not a partner, spouse, or friend. Historically speaking, it was most common that prostitutes were women, and the customers were mostly men. In today’s society, there are not only women prostitutes but also male and transgender prostitutes as well. However, when picturing a prostitute, it is most often than not a female that fits the picture (Britannica Academic 2019).

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Persons with disabilities are defined as people who have long-term mental, physical, or intellectual impairments. With the interaction of different obstacles, it could prevent the persons active and full participation in society and social contexts that are on an equal basis with others (CRPD 2006).

1.6. Method and Material

This bachelor thesis will use an argumentation method to discuss the pro and contra-arguments of the regulation of sex robots and the use of sex robots, along with discussing the possible risks that sex robots could bring towards women and children.The method will be further explained in chapter 2.

The material chosen and presented in this thesis is in the form of various conventions that could be argued to be in favor of the regulation of sex robots along with conventions stating the contrary. The conventions used in this thesis are Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Moreover, other materials used in this thesis are books along with academic articles and journals containing various arguments and reasonings regarding the regulation of sex robots and the use of sex robots.

1.7. Delimitations

To keep the time limitation for this thesis, I have decided not to go in depth and discuss whether or not the robots are entitled to rights due them being designed with high intelligence and human-like emotions, amongst all. Although it will be vastly mentioned in subchapter 5.3., this thesis will only focus on the argumentation pro and contra the regulation of sex robots along with the discussion on the possible risks that sex robots could bring affecting women and children.

Another delimitation made in this thesis is that the focus is on the possible risks and outcomes of the use of sex robots of women and children, and not men. It is essential to acknowledge that men could also be affected by sex robots and the use of sex robots, due to robots also taking the forms

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of the male body. The reason for this focus, however, is due to women and children being of most suppression in regard to sex robots, and because women have been treated as subordinate for many years, compared to men. Additionally, this study could state that the customer and user of sex robots are primarily men. It is significant to indicate that it is not only men that buy and make use of sex robots, however, as the customer is mainly from the male gender, it is mentioned in the study from time to time.

Furthermore, in the background chapter, two of the sex robots that are popular on the market right now will be introduced along with some ground information about the companies that designs, produces, and sell the sex robots. However, this thesis will not go further in-depth on the production companies and their values and thoughts on sex robots. This is due to the thesis being mainly about the usage of sex robots and the outcomes and consequences there might be, and not about why they were created in the first place.

1.8. Chapter Outline

In this chapter, the reader is provided with the necessary information that is required to fully comprehend this bachelor thesis and its content, along with the research standpoint. The introduction chapter includes a presentation of the area of the topic along with the research problem and the aim of the thesis, the research standpoint, the relevance to human rights, essential terminology, as well as a short introduction to the method and material chosen and the delimitations of the study.

Chapter Two discusses the method chosen for this thesis, how it works, and how it further will be applied. Chapter Three discusses the background of robots, artificial intelligence, and sex robots, along with information regarding the creation of sex robots, availability, and anthropomorphism, along with social and ethical implications. Chapter Four introduces the reader to the thesis normative framework, where the articles of the human rights conventions are further evaluated and where the precautionary principle is explained in order to further applying it to the argumentations in the analysis and discussion chapter. In Chapter Five, the analysis and discussion is being held and discusses the four contexts that are in the possible risk of sex robots. The final

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part, Chapter Six, provides a conclusion of the discussion made and the result of the research standpoint. Further on, the chapter presents future research.

2. METHOD

2.1. Choice of Method

The method chosen for this material is an argumentation method, i.e., argumentation analysis. I have decided to base the argumentation analysis on Lewis Vaughn’s book Writing Philosophy: A

Student’s Guide to Reading and Writing Philosophy Essays, which discusses the various rules on

identifying and analyzing arguments. The reason for selecting this particular method is to be able to argue for the research standpoint. Since there is not much academic material written about this subject, this method will make it possible to use all existing material in a pro and contra argumentation. By applying a pro and contra argumentation, the goal is to argue in favor of the regulation and reduce the possible risks of women and children and protect their bodily integrity. However, the regulation must also take into consideration the positive aspects of the usage of sex robots.

2.2. Argumentation analysis

In his book, Vaughn presents three rules that are suggested to be followed when analyzing an argument. However, in order to do so, it is significant to understand what an argument is. Vaughn defines an argument to be a combination of statements, where some of them are intended to support one another. A statement is an assertion that is either false or true, and when supporting another statement, it will provide the belief that that statement is true. The statements presumably supplying the support are known as premises, whereas the supporting statement is known as the

conclusion (Vaughn 2006: 21-22). An argument can be structured in various shapes

(configurations), however, regardless of the structure, an argument is required to have a conclusion along with at least one premise (Vaughn 2006: 24).

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When analyzing an argument, Vaughn suggests the following of three rules; The first rule is to recognize deductive and inductive arguments. A deductive argument is defined as “arguments [that] are supposed to offer logically conclusive support for their conclusions” (Vaughn 2006: 28). When, and if, a deductive argument successfully provides conclusive support, it becomes valid, and further along with the premises being true, the valid argument becomes sound (Vaughn 2006: 28, 30). Inductive arguments, however, are defined as “arguments [that] are meant to provide

probable support for their conclusions” (Vaughn 2006: 29), meaning that this is an argument that

cannot guarantee that the conclusion is true. If the probable support is provided, the inductive argument is considered to be strong, and with the premise being true, the argument is said to be cogent (Vaughn 2006: 29-30). The second rule is to decide whether the conclusion follows from the premises, meaning if the argument is of validity or not. The argumentation will not be able to approve the conclusion if it does not follow the premises (Vaughn 2006: 30). The third and final rule is to make a settlement on whether the premises are true or not. The premises are to be carefully evaluated through needed support from evidence or reasons to conclude whether they are true or not (Vaughn 2006: 38). Vaughn’s three rules will be applied in Chapter 5 when analyzing pro and contra arguments of the regulation of sex robots.

3. BACKGROUND

3.1. Robots

Technology takes a significant part in a human’s life, whether it is intentionally or not. One makes use of technology when watching television, using their computer, or making a phone call. The technology could be viewed as specific tools that help to solve real-world problems (Devlin, 2018 45). The technology used to be considered as something unfamiliar and frightening to people, but today, it is shown to be the opposite. We are becoming more exposed to various types of technology that begins to take a more significant part of our average weekday. One of these types of technology is robots. Before, the typical picture that arose when thinking of a robot is a small box placed on top of a bigger box that is connected with rigid arms and legs and has an antenna on the top. However, in today’s society, this picture has changed, and what one probably do not think about is that robotic devices are existing and used in our everyday lives. For example, the

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robotic lawnmower used in your back garden and the robotic vacuum cleaners cleaning your house. The robotic devices are also used in different contexts, such as in the military with the use for bomb disposal, in hospitals performing robotic surgery, and on farms with the usage of the robot milking machines (Devlin 2018: 43, 45).

Robots and robotic devices are defined in the publication ISO 8373:2012 Robots and robotic

devices, made by the Organization for Standardization, “as actuated mechanism programmable in

two or more axes [direction used to specify the robot motion] with a degree of autonomy [ability to perform intended tasks based on current state and sensing, without human intervention], moving within its environment, to perform intended tasks” (Devlin 2018: 46). To simplify the definition, robots are machines programmed and designed to comprehend and perform numerous complex tasks automatically. Robots consists of parts that control and move them, sensors which makes it possible for the robot to do tasks of their own and have an understanding of the surrounding environment, further, the robot also has a control structure leading to the machine being able to comprehend when being told what to do or what not to do. Robots are a part of our everyday lives and movements, they rapidly adjust, correspond, and act on the changes that both surrounds both them and us, without us thinking about it (Devlin 2018: 46).

Robots are designed and shaped in various forms, such as in the form of a humanoid or an android. A humanoid robot is a device with some degree of human-like features, but they are not necessarily realistically portrayed. A more realistic version of a robot is called androids if portrayed as male, and gynoids if portrayed as female (Devlin 2018: 54-55).

3.2. Artificial Intelligence

When robotic devices enter into the next step of evolvement, they will be introduced to artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is a broad branch of computer science and can be referred to as machine intelligence. Artificial intelligence is intelligent behavior displayed by computers and machines with the goal to understand and reproduce human intelligence and behavior. The purpose of artificial intelligence is to design and build intelligent machines with the behavior of functioning independently (Garnham 2017: 8-9). Artificial intelligence consists of a subset called machine

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learning. Machine learning is an instrument that works as a learning system for the computer when given large amounts of data to process it on its own. From the data presented, the computer learns how to analyze various patterns and seek connections without any distinct information given. An example of this is the advertisement that shows up on your social media platforms. These advertisements are results of machine-learning algorithms that, through sets of data, customized sales, and look-like items based on your online history (Devlin 2018: 83-84). Furthermore, a modern and well-known example of artificial intelligence is the virtual assistant that dominate the market today. A virtual assistant is a software that recognizes and responds to voice commands given to it. Three of these virtual assistants are Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Google’s Assistant (Devlin 2018: 14)

Along with the growth and development of artificial intelligence, it can be combined with a robotic device resulting in a humanoid robot with human-like intelligence. An example of this is Sophia. In the spring of 2016, the social gynoid robot Sophia was presented to the world for the first time. Sophia is a modern, intelligent, and sophisticated robot designed to recognize voices, produce various expressions and, with artificial intelligence, carry out interactive conversations with humans. Sophia was deliberately created and designed with a natural human-like face but is clear on the back of the head showing off the internal wiring (Devlin 2018: 55).

These modern devices such as Siri and Alexa are not programmed to be personalized and fit a person’s own specific and personal needs; their task is to please everyone with general information. Today, there is an existing market where one can combine personalized artificial intelligence and robotic devices, and this market produces Sex Robots.

3.3. Sex Robots

Unlike an ordinary robotic device is a sex robot an artificial entity designed and produced for sexual purposes, for example, for sexual stimulation and release. A sex robot is represented to look like a human being. The robotic device is designed in a humanoid form and consists of human-like movement and behavior. With some degree of artificial intelligence, the robot has the capability to interpret and respond to the information existing in its surrounding environment.

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Compared to already existing sex toys, sex robots are quite different. The most popular sex toys are not made in the shape of a human, these toys are, primarily, designed in the shape of female or male genitalia. A sex doll, on the other hand, is designed in the shape of a human body, most commonly the female body. Despite the somewhat degree of human-like movement of the toy and the humanoid form of the sex doll, with the lack of artificial intelligence, these items are inanimate and unintelligent (Danaher 2017: 14).

As mentioned, the most common humanoid shape of a sex robot is the shape of a female body. It could be argued that the sex robot is designed to resemble the perfect woman. Though sex-toy sales are somewhat evenly divided between women and men, the sex robot industry is primarily adapted towards penis-owners. However, there are sex dolls and sex robots in the humanoid form of a male body, and there are requests from women wanting them. But despite this, the perception of a sex robot in the erotic shape of a woman is so widespread that request of them are not needed (Devlin 2018: 128, 130). Furthermore, there are sex dolls and sex robots designed in the humanoid shape of a child - called paedobots (Cox-George & Bewley 2017: 1).

Sex robots are designed to provide for either a sexual or non-sexual relationship and are, therefore, advertised to carry out their sexual needs and desires for lonesome (primarily) men. While one might consider the sex robots to be regarded as a treatment, to the contrary, sex robots are shown to be the outcome of people further isolating themselves from human-human contact (Maras and Shapiro 2017: 15).

3.3.1 Sex Robots on the Market

Sex technology is a vastly growing market. The industry is predicted to have the worth of $30 billion, excluding the porn industry, by the year 2020. The porn industry itself generates the estimated amount of the Hollywood movie industry (Devlin 2018: 31-32). Technological sex toys and dolls have been around the market for quite some time, but considering sex robots being a part of the modern technology, with regards to the degree of artificial intelligence, there are not that many available for purchase. However, there are a few. Two of the sex robots on the market ready for sale are Roxxxy and Harmony.

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Roxxxy is the first created sex robot available for purchase, along with the male version, Rocky. The company True Companion promoted in 2009 a life-like doll with an artificial intelligence engine designed to learn and understand what its owner likes and prefers (Devlin 2018: 119). Roxxxy is created with various personalities, and amongst them is Frigid Farrah, who is advertised with the slogan “if you touch her ‘in a private area, more than likely, she will not be to appreciative of your advance” (Maras and Shapiro 2017: 4). This version of the Roxxxy robot is programmed to reject any sexual activity which encourages the owner to exercise sexual assault and rape. Another personality of Roxxxy is Young Yoko. This version is presented as underaged and is advertised with the slogan “oh so young (barely 18) and waiting for you to teach her” (Maras and Shapiro 2017: 4).

Harmony is another favorite sex robot on the market available for purchase. Harmony is developed by the company Realbotix, which is the sister company to RealDoll, creators of customizable human-shaped sex dolls. Additionally, the explanation of the various choices of customization of one’s sex robots is based on RealDoll’s website. Moreover, Harmony is a sex doll with a head programmed with artificial intelligence, which creates the ability to speak and interact on a new level with its owner (Devlin 2018: 145). However, the robot is not yet able to move or stand; it is only mechanized in the head. Moreover, through an app that is connected to the head of Harmony, the customer can control Harmony’s personality and conversation, one can even customize the voice, which creates an intimacy and companionship between the robot and the owner (Devlin 2018: 146-149).

3.4. Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is explained as a tendency for a person to apply human characteristics, due to the rationalization of their actions, on animals, natural phenomena such as the weather, or various objects, for example, the robot. A person will treat the entity as if it carries a mind with the resemblance of a human being (Levy 2007: 49). Anthropomorphism has the effect to create an emotional attachment toward an entity which further facilitates a human-entity relationship. In this thesis, the entity is a sex robot, which leads to the emotional attachment to the mechanical device

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facilitating a human-robot relationship, and throughout the process of anthropomorphism, the robot becomes more increasingly accepted as a partner rather than a sexual device (Levy 2007: 76-77). This comes to clarify how some people grow a specific connection to their sex robots despite them not being real humans; the anthropomorphism makes them consider and create a powerful human-robot relationship.

3.5. Robot Ethics

Along with the development of the sex robot industry comes issues concerning social and ethical concerns the society must confront. These ethical and social concerns are issued into three areas; safety and errors, law and ethics, and social impact (Lin, Abney, and Bekey 2011: 945).

3.5.1. Safety and errors

The essential learnings we have found in the new and vastly growing technology is that it needs to be safe. It is important that the robots will not hurt the people in question, and to ground that assurance; it is required to acknowledge that the safety issues in this concern are software and design. It is hard to create a correctly working machine, and computer scientists are struggling to create that perfect piece of software and design, vulnerabilities and errors are very likely to exist. Disastrous results could be caused by only a small inconvenience in the software. Although there are positive aspects of robots, such as their capacity to admission and function under challenging environments, one ought to understand that there is a possible risk that the robots could become dangerous by the act of hacking, for example. This concludes that technology is not only something to be created and later on purchased, it is also important to the need for it to require the safety of the people (Lin, Abney, and Bekey 2011: 945).

3.5.2. Law and ethics

The programming of robots are indeed necessary, however, there are specific rules that need to be applied and fulfilled when using robots. These rules are regarding law and ethics. There are various ethical laws and cultural norms around the world, which makes it hard to decide to whose ethics

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and law the robotic devices ought to apply to and follow. The goal of law and robotics would be if the robot itself were programmed to obey the assigned law or if it would be able to follow the code of ethics. However, due to the vague and context-sensitive laws, it would be hard for robots to grasp and follow them because of them not being sophisticated or well-developed enough right now (Lin, Abney, and Bekey 2011: 946). Therefore there should be specific laws dedicated to the use of robotics, which ought to be followed by the programmers and owners.

3.5.3. Social impact

Along with the establishment of the robotic revolution comes a variety of social impacts, similar to the significant changes the internet and industrial revolutions created in society. What the three revolutions have in common is the loss of jobs. Due to their speed and more efficient process of autonomy, robots may replace the human employees at the workplace, irrespective of the growth or reduction of the workforce. It could be argued that the replacement of robotic workers would encourage people to focus on getting jobs where they could make a more significant influence. However, if one does not find another job, the results are a former human employee that is now without a job and has a hard time to supply the necessities of their family (Lin, Abney, and Bekey 2011: 947). Furthermore, the robot industry could also have a possible impact have is the environment. E-waste is a growing problem in the computer industry, and along with the creation of many robots, the disposal of heavy and toxic metals and metals might contribute to a future affecting the environment. Another social impact could be the impact of human relationships. With a start in robotics nursing, the elderly and children, the human-robot interaction is evolving into companionship and romantic relationships. However, it is yet unclear whether or not the relationships might cause psychological harm to the humans in question (Lin, Abney, and Bekey 2011: 947).

4. NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

Since this thesis will not be applying a theory, this chapter will present the normative framework, the analysis and discussion will be based on. The first section of this chapter discusses the relevant

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conventions in regards to the use of sex robots. The second section presents the precautionary principle, which is used as a basis of the discussed regulation of sex robots.

4.1. Human Rights Conventions

In this chapter, relevant conventions and articles regarding women and children’s rights will be presented. Due to the vast growing sex robot industry and the use of robotic devices, the articles in the various conventions might be at risk of being violated. However, there might be those who could benefit from the use of sex robots. This brings to a bigger perspective and an open discussion regarding the extent of the regulation. These articles will be further mentioned, evaluated, and used in argumentations in Chapter 5.

4.1.1. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

This convention is relevant as it discusses women’s rights, especially in regards to bodily integrity and discrimination. The two articles which are found compatible with this thesis are article 2 (e) and article 5 (a). The two articles states:

Article 2 (e);

States Parties condemn discrimination against women in all its forms, agree to pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating discrimination against women and, to this end, undertake:

(e) To take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women by any person, organization or enterprise;

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Article 5 (a);

“States Parties shall take all appropriate measures:

(a) To modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women, with a view to achieving the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes or on stereotyped roles for men and women;”

Source; CEDAW, Article 5 (a)

4.1.2. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

This convention is applicable for this thesis as it concerns the protection of the child from any form of violence, including sexual exploitation. Article 19 (1) expresses the responsibilities States Parties are obligated to fulfill the child’s protection against all forms of violence. The article states;

States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.

Source: UNCRC, Article 19 (1)

4.1.3. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

This convention, specifically Article 28 (1), is relevant for the argumentation of this thesis as it provides the other side of the perspectives of the use of sex robots. The article recognizes the

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importance of the adequate standard of living provided for persons with disabilities. The article states;

States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions, and shall take appropriate steps to safeguard and promote the realization of this right without discrimination on the basis of disability.

Source: CRPD, Article 28 (1)

4.2. Precautionary Principle

Throughout the argumentations in the analysis and discussion, I will ground the thesis on the precautionary principle in favor of the regulation of sex robots. The principle was originally created as a tool to comprehend the uncertain scientific data and as a political responsibility to prevent any harm in regards to human health and the ecosystem (Martuzzi and Tickner 2004: 7). To define the principle, and to make a clarification of its application to children’s health and sustainable development, the World Health Organization states: “the precautionary principle provides a framework, procedures and policy tools for public policy actions in situations of scientific complexity, uncertainty and ignorance, where there may be a need to act before there is strong proof of harm in order to avoid, or reduce, potentially serious or irreversible threats to health or the environment, using an appropriate level of scientific evidence, and taking into account the likely benefits and drawbacks of action and inaction” (World Health Organization 2004: 17-18).

Precautionary actions do not always indicate in ending an activity; instead, the principle can cover, with the acknowledgment of uncertainties, information to the public regarding the potential risks while further research is being executed. The principle also imposes restrictions on potentially dangerous activities, along with gradually carrying out activities that, based on evidence, might be especially problematic (World Health Organization 2004: 26-27). Furthermore, one central feature of precautionary actions is to inform and alert individuals to be aware of activities which could

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potentially result in dangerous outcomes. The precautionary actions could differ depending on the country, the affected groups, and on other social, economic, and political factors (World Health Organization 2004: 27).

To summarize, the precautionary principle is applied to protect the public health and environment, and most importantly, to protect our children and the future generation from any possible risks and uncertain scientific data. Moreover, due to the potential danger the sex robot industry could inflict on women and children, the precautionary principle will be applied in this thesis in favor of the regulation of sex robots.

5. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

The discussion regarding the use of sex robots can be viewed from both positive and negative perspectives. As presented in the 1.3. Research Standpoint subchapter, this thesis takes the standpoint, from the negative perspective, that there should be a regulation against sex robots considering the human rights discrimination and violations and the possible risks directed towards women and children. However, the use of sex robots might be considered a good cause and something that could help in some contexts.

Regulation in regards to this study, as mentioned in subchapter 1.5. Terminology, is used as a concept based on rules, guidance, and control that applies to the social behavior and the structural behavior of people.

5.1. Sexual Assault and Rape

As a human being, one can express and experience their sexuality through the manner of sexual activity. The activity can be performed by just one person, two persons or by a joint group, whichever one prefers. The activity, however, is dependent on the consent from all parties involved. Without consent, the sexual act becomes a sexual assault. Sexual assault is still a sexual act but in the manners of violence, turning it into “a criminal act of an abuse of power” (Devlin 2018: 91). Sexual assault, sexual abuse, and rape could be considered common terms discussed

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with regards to sex robots. Although the robot, in fact, does not have any real emotions and morals, a sexual act performed on a robot could still be considered abusive due to the consequences and possible risks it could impose on women.

In this context, it is essential to clarify that the sexual assault aspect could be reviewed from two perspectives. The first perspective for this context could be identified as a positive result of sex robots, where the devices could function as a treatment from a therapeutic standpoint.

The second perspective is considered to be a negative viewpoint of sex robots, where the outcome results in sex robots maintaining and increasing an unhealthy behavior such as sexual assault and abuse.

John Danaher argues in his article, Robotic Rape and Robotic Child Sexual Abuse: Should They

be Criminalised? (2017), in favor of a criminalization of the immoral acts exploited on sex robots,

and he does so by presenting two premises. The first premise states that it can be the right decision of criminal law to regulate immoral conducts despite there not being any extrinsically detrimental effects on others. The second premise reinforces the first premise by stating that the robotic acts of sexual assault, abuse, and rape fall within the category of immoral conducts. This concludes that it is the right decision of criminal law to regulate the robotic rape considering their immoral conducts (Danaher 2017: 76). However, there are those that would argue that sexual acts and assaults performed on a robot are different and should be separated from the abusive acts women are exposed to. This is because the acts performed on the robot are not considered being the same as the ones performed on the human being. Furthermore, it could also be argued that sexual acts performed on robots will increase the risk to a higher probability of someone performing the act on humans. If this is the case, Danaher argues, the criminalization of robotic rape would be of crucial importance (Danaher 2017: 90). I understand the reasoning that robots are not real humans with real emotions, and therefore, robotic rape should not be considered an immoral act. I also understand those arguing “rather the doll than the woman,” that those with harmful desires feeling the need to perform abusive sexual acts should do it on a robot rather than a real woman. However, although I agree with the latter argument, I do support Danaher’s argument that robotic rape could enhance the risk of sexual harmful desires and acts on women, hence the female form of the robot, and therefore a regulation towards sex robots should be introduced.

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Even though the latter argument could be considered sensible to some, others might argue that it is not. Robert Sparrow explains in his article Robots, Rape, and Representation (2017) that the relationship humans have with violent video-games has with so-called real violence (that exists in real life), along with the relationship that humans have with violent movies and actual violence, are well-debated factors concerning the real correlation violence has with the technological violence. Despite the numerous arguments and research concerning the matter, the issue still stands. Many participants have spoken on the subject and insist that there is little evidence that indicates the likelihood of people carrying out violent acts in the real world (Sparrow 2017: 470). I believe that it is essential for those opposing this concern to understand that not all people that interact with violent video-games and movies are affected by it, however, there are some people that, indeed, are affected by the violence, and these people might be inspired to perform the similarly violent and unhealthy acts in the real world. The authors Chantal Cox-George and Susan Bewley, in their study I, Sex Robot: the health implications of the sex robot industry (2018), can fortify this argument with their contra arguments regarding the health implications of sex robots. The authors argue that although there are those who can distinguish between fantasies and reality, there might be potential buyers that are not able to separate the two of them. This, Cox-George and Bewley argue, might aggravate the potential risks of sexual assault, abuse, and rape of women (Cox-George and Bewley 2018: 2).

Considering that robots are robotic devices not capable of possessing emotions, then it could be arguable that sex with a robot is just sex with a robot, an entity that has no feelings and is incapable of consent, hence, not an act of rape. However, Sparrow argues, when the robots exist as a replica of a woman that is designed to cry out for help during a sexual act, such as the Roxxxy design Frigid Farrah, what would the act count as then? Just sex with a robot? Sparrow argues that due to the impossibility to rape a robot, the act refers to raping a woman (Sparrow 2017: 471). Moreover, Sparrow asks the question of “whether or not sex with a female sexbot that fails to explicitly indicate consent is rape?” (Sparrow 2017: 472). This question will be answered with the help of a deductive argument. If sex with a robot, that replicates a woman, does not explicitly indicate consent to the sexual activity, then it is considered a representation of rape of a woman. The female replicated sex robot does not indicate consent to sex. Therefore, the sexual act is considered a

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representation of the rape of a woman. Although, we are constantly exposed to the representation of rape of women on television, in movies, series, and in books, it is important to distinguish that this is fiction and not reality. An abusive sexual act towards a sex robot, replicating a woman, is, in fact, a real act and therefore considered a representation of rape of a woman.

As article 5 (a) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women states that States Parties should take all the appropriate measures to eliminate all practices that are based on the stereotyped roles for men and women, amongst all, I believe that women replicated by sex robots, do not remove the stereotypes that women face. When performing sexual assault and abusive acts on a sex robot, which, as mentioned, is representing an act of an actual woman, it reinforces the role of the woman as submissive, instead of reducing it. Women have, almost always, been viewed as the inferior gender, and when anthropomorphic sex robots are to be customized in the precise view of the costumer, I would argue that it only increases the inferior picture of the woman and discriminating them of their bodily integrity.

From these arguments, one can see that there is a potential need for regulation of sex robots. Some might argue that sex without consent on a robot is not rape, because how can it be rape if the robot does not have nor can feel emotions. But as shown, when a robot looks like a woman and the sexual act with the robot is a sexual act without consent, hence rape, the act is then considered a representation of rape of a woman. This could then lead to the possible risks of women facing sexual assault and rape.

Further, the outcome could entail in the possible risk of the sex robot costumer performing sexually assault, abuse, or rape on a real woman. While one might argue that there is no significant proof that the use of sex robots could result in possible risks towards women, the regulation should then be based on the precautionary principle as it imposes restrictions on activities that are potentially dangerous, which I do consider these acts to be.

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5.2. Pedophilia

As the context of subparagraph 5.1. sexual assault and rape, this category is also divided into two perspectives, namely the positive and negative outcomes of sex robots in relation to pedophilia. The positive perspective could result in, same as sexual assault and rape, the robotic devices being helpful from a therapeutic viewpoint as a treatment towards the unhealthy desire. However, the negative perspective of sex robots, in the context of pedophilia, is that the use of sex robots that replicates a child could result in the continuing maintenance of the unhealthy and immoral behavior of pedophilia.

Dr. Marie-Helen Maras and Dr. Lauren R. Shapiro claim in their journal, Child Sex Dolls and

Robots: More Than Just an Uncanny Valley (2017), that child sex robots “are realistic virtual

representations of children” (Maras and Shapiro 2017: 6). These robots are designed with realistic looking parts and orifices that are to be used by pedophiles to insert their private parts along with their fingers or tongues, and moreover, perform sexual activities, sexual assault, and sexual abuse towards the robotic child (Maras and Shapiro 2017: 6). Further, “child sex dolls and robots are the utmost embodiment of the reduction of children to a sexual object for the gratification and pleasure of their owner/user” (Maras and Shapiro 2017: 12). Moreover, it is quite rare that a pedophile is caught, and even more rare that they voluntarily seek treatment. Because of this, pedophiles keep offending and their ability to avoid being caught is enhanced. Accordingly, Maras and Shapiro argue that creating and using an anthropomorphic child sex robot, made with an image of a child, as a therapeutic treatment meaningless and unreasonable, and rather than preventing the harmful behavior of sexual abuse and assault, domination, and violence, it normalizes it and objectifies children. (Maras and Shapiro 2017: 11-12). I highly agree with this argument. When creating a child sex robot one establishes an acceptance to the immoral acts of pedophiles, indicating that it is okay for them to exercise their unhealthy needs and sexual desires, as long as it is on a robot instead of a child. The exploitation of a pedophile’s unwholesome sexual drive is, naturally, more preferable when performed on a non-human entity. However, as one can see from Maras and Shapiro’s argument, the use of a child sex robot, mainly as a therapeutic treatment, could result in a higher risk for a pedophile to exercise their sexual desires on a real child.

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As mentioned in the sexual assault and rape context, Cox-George and Bewley argue that there are those that cannot distinguish fantasy from reality which could result in children being in a potential risk of being exposed to harmful and unwholesome sexual acts and assault performed by pedophiles (Cox-George and Bewley 2018: 2). With this argument, the regulation of sex robots is even more indicated, showing that the potential risk of pedophilia is even more heightened due to the availability of child sex robots. Furthermore, the authors describe a company that creates child sex robots and argues in favor of the life-like child sex robots with the reasons that they could help and protect people, or victims as the company refer them, redirect their unhealthy sexual desires (Cox-George and Bewley 2018: 2). While there might be a slight chance that this could be the case, Maras and Shapiro’s argument display that the pedophilic use of a child sex robot indicates in a high risk of sexual assault and abuse on an actual child.

As shown in the previous context, Danaher argues in favor of criminalization against robotic rape and robotic child sexual abuse. With the two premises stating that it is of the right decision to regulate immoral conducts through criminal law, and that sexual assault, abuse, and rape performed a sex robot, whether an adult or child version, is considered immoral conducts, the conclusion is therefore that it is of right reasoning of criminal law to regulate the robotic rape and robotic child sexual abuse considering their immoral behavior (Danaher 2017: 76). However, in Litska Strikwerda’s article Legal and Moral Implications of Child Sex Robots (2017), she compares child sex robots to computer-generated child pornography because of their similarity of the lack of moral and legal victims, i.e., victimless crimes (Strikwerda 2017: 251). Furthermore, the author argues that the child sex robot is considered a better substitute, compared to the computer-generated child pornography, for sexual abuse. If this could work as a substitute, then one might claim that they should not be regulated; instead, they ought to be used as a way to treat pedophiles, just like methadone is used as a treatment to drug addicts (Strikwerda 2017: 251-252). If there were specific evidence that child sex robots could contribute to pedophilia, then there would be a reason to create a regulation against the use of them.

In regards to the latter argument, I believe that the precautionary principle is of great importance in this context. A child should not be exposed to any sexual acts, sexual abuse, sexual assault, or rape, along with being exposed to any person with the desire of exercising their unhealthy needs.

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In this sense, I would argue that the regulation of sex robots is of great significance with regards to the protection of the children. A child should never have to be in a potential risk of sexual exploitation, just because pedophiles and abusers should be able to use and exercise their needs on a robot. Just like the context of sexual assault and rape, I agree that the exploitation of sex robots portraying a child is better rather the exploitation of a real child. However, there is no assurance that child sex robots would work as a treatment to these sexual desires, which is why I argue, on the basis of the precautionary principle, that the regulation against sex robots could create a protection of the children and the future generations from any possible risks of exploitation, along with preventing them from any sexual harm. As article 19 (1) of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that all States Parties are obliged to protect the child from any form of mental or physical violence or abuse, including sexual abuse (UNCRC, article 19 (1)). A child has the right to be protected against any kind of mental or physical abuse, and as shown in this context, when creating and accepting the sexual use of a child sex robot, I would argue that all States Parties are not fulfilling their obligation. This indicates that there should be a regulation of sex robots.

5.3. Prostitution

It is inevitable that prostitution is a current issue in today’s society. The activity sexualizes, objectifies, and discriminates women, exposing them to various risks of the dangers the profession possibly brings forth. Sex robots are argued to be a possible solution to the issue. However, it can also be argued that the use of sex robots could result in a significant risk of unhealthy behavior and norms.

David Levy argues in his book Love and sex with robots: The Evolution of Human-Robot

Relationships (2007) in favor of sex robots as he states that they fulfill the same desires and

requests as a human prostitute would do. He argues that the people who pay for the sexual act are looking for an encounter in the form of sex but without the human love, which is something that sex robots, too, are able to fulfill considering them being another form of sex without human love. Additionally, he explains that sex robots as prostitutes would bring forth a more healthy standard

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to the profession. After using the sex robot, one can simply remove its genitals in order to clean and disinfect them, resulting in a decrease of venereal diseases (Levy 2007: 300).

Moreover, in his study, Robot Prostitutes as Alternatives to Human Sex Workers (2007) written together with Hugh Loebner, the authors argue in favor of sex robots as alternatives to prostitutes. In their study, the two authors describe three reasons why men purchase sex and whether sex robots are able to fulfill the three reasons. The first reason for purchasing sex is variety, meaning that men prefer the opportunity to interact in sexual intercourse with a numerous range of women. The second reason is the lack of complications and constraints, which indicates that customers appreciate the anonymity and the clear purpose of the activity, along with the lack of emotional engagement. The third reason is the lack of success with the opposite sex. Men who experience difficulties in developing relationships with women, due to various reasons, leading to them having a hard time fulfilling their sexual desires, turning prostitution into a guaranteed availability of sex (Levy and Loebner 2007: 3). Sex robots as prostitutes are able “to provide variety, to offer sex without complications or constraints, and to meet the needs of those who have no success in finding human sex partners” (Levy and Loebner 2007: 3), which fulfills all three reasons, making them a plausible candidate for prostitutes. Furthermore, along with the three reasons why men purchase sex, the authors supply five ethical aspects regarding robot prostitutes; (1) The ethics of making

robot prostitutes available for general use, (2) The ethics, vis à vis oneself and society in general, of using robot prostitutes, (3) The ethics, vis à vis one’s partner or spouse, of using robot prostitutes, (4) The ethics, vis à vis human sex workers, of using robot prostitutes, and (5) The ethics, vis à vis the sexbots themselves, of using robot prostitutes (Levy and Loebner 2007: 4-6).

The first aspect indicates that as the primary purpose of the use of a sex robot, as a prostitute, is in order for the customer, i.e., user, to achieve the sexual satisfaction of an orgasm without another humans presence. The authors argue that the use of the sex robot would count as the use of female vibrators; hence, it would be unethical to state that the use of sex robots is immoral (Levy and Loebner 2007: 4). The second aspect indicates that though there are those who are not ashamed of intercourse with prostitutes, the majority of the clients feel a certain moral stigma being attached to the encounters with prostitutes, and would do the utmost to make sure that no one, especially their close ones, finds out about the encounter. If robot prostitutes were available, the moral stigma would not apply since robotic devices are considered artifacts and are therefore not understood as

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being alive (Levy and Loebner 2007: 5). The third aspect in regards to robot prostitutes depends on the type of relationship one has with their partner or spouse. The authors argue that the partner could either be acceptable of the use of robotic prostitutes, as it could be considered an act of masturbation and perhaps an opportunity for the partner using it to improve their sexual skills. However, there are also those who oppose the idea and find it to be an anathema. The ethics of using a sex robot in this aspect; therefore, depends on the sexual ethics one already has as partners (Levy and Loebner 2007: 5). In the fourth aspects, Levy and Loebner explain that the most common perception of prostitution is bad for the sex worker since it could degrade them, and therefore the replacement with sex robots as prostitutes should be considered as a good cause. However, they go on by arguing that those who turn to prostitution, do so since it is the only way for them earn any money, which makes the replacement an important ethical issue (Levy and Loebner 2007: 5). The fifth and final aspect is concerning if the robotic device should perhaps be entitled to legal rights and ethical status of their own. If this is the case, the authors argue, then sex robots as prostitutes should be treated and viewed in the same manners as human sex workers are (Levy and Loebner 2007: 6). This shows that although Levy and Loebner believe that there is a possible future with sex robots as prostitutes, they also take into consideration that there are significant ethical issues concerning robot prostitutes (Levy and Loebner 2007: 6).

Kathleen Richardson, however, argues in her study, The asymmetrical 'relationship': Parallels

Between Prostitution and the Development of Sex Robots (2015), that sex robots are a possible risk

of danger to society. She argues that the use of sex robots could affect women and children in a bad manner, contributing to and maintaining the destructive sexual and social norms that sexualize, objectifies, and discriminates women rather than viewing them as subjects. Further, Richardson argues that the robotic replacement of human prostitutes will result in enhancement and contributing to the growth of the sex industry. Also, she explains how studies display the expansion of the sex industry instead of a reduction, resulting in a larger amount of active working women within the sex industry (Richardson 2015).

As stated in article 2 (e) in Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, all States Parties should take all appropriate measures in order to eliminate discrimination against women. In the profession of prostitution, women are on an everyday basis exposed to

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sexualization, objectification, and also, discrimination. As Richardson argues, which I stand by, replacing human prostitutes with sex robots will not only enhance the sex industry which results in an even larger amount of female prostitutes, it will also continue to objectify, sexualize, and discriminate women overall.

In this context, there are both pro and contra arguments concerning sex robots as a replacement of prostitutes. Levy argues in both his book and article, together with Loebner, that human prostitutes have a similar affection and encounter as the human prostitute has with the customer. Although I am not opposing the idea that sex robots could replace women prostitutes in order to protect them, I do, however, not believe sex robots as prostitutes to be a sustainable replacement, and answer to the problem, in the long-term. Robots as prostitutes could continue objectifying and discriminating women, regardless of the replacement, thereof, I do believe in the regulation of sex robots, due to the discrimination of women still being of currency.

5.4. Various Disabilities

When using a sex robot, it might be of different reasons. In this context, the use of sex robots will be in terms of sexual satisfaction for people with severe physical, mental, and social disabilities. People who suffer from various disabilities might have a hard time achieving sexual satisfaction due to their various conditions. One could argue that interaction with a sex robot is a great way to fulfill one's sexual needs without any violations of people’s sexual rights. However, one could also argue that an anthropomorphic sex robot could result in an introvert person excluding themselves more gradually, resulting in utter isolation. Furthermore, I would argue that the use of sex robots by an introvert person would, most likely, not heightened the risk of women and children being exposed to any exploitation, instead, it would only increase the risk of isolation of the particular customer.

Ezio Di Nucci argues in favor of sex robots in his article Sex Robots and the Rights of the Disabled (2017) and proposes that the right to sexual satisfaction of those having a mental, social or physical disability. The availability of sex robots could enable a chance to achieve a sexual desire for those who are not able to provide for it by themselves (Di Nucci 2017: 134). He further argues that those

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suffering from mental or physical disabilities have sexual needs, and these are of moral importance with the necessity to acknowledge that it is their positive sexual rights to have sexual requirements that should be fulfilled and fully satisfied, as long as it does not violate anyone else's sexual rights (Di Nucci 2017: 136).

Article 28 (1) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states that persons with disabilities are entitled to the right to an adequate standard of living for themselves (CRPD, Article 28 (1)). For many people, achieving sexual satisfaction is included in an adequate standard of living. As a person with a form of disability, regardless of social, mental, or physical, could have a difficult time to fulfill any sexual satisfaction by themselves, a sex robot could, in this case, contribute to the specific rights being met.

Kate Devlin (2018) states in her book Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots (2018) that those with disabilities or specific needs could make use of a sex robot in the form of therapeutic use in order to successfully achieve a satisfying sex life. She argues that sex technology, in terms of this use, could benefit the society as a whole and not just those in need of a sex robot. She further argues that sex robots could possibly be a part of various care situations, in regards to those who crave intimacy and sexual activity but are unable to create relationships as such, due to mental and physical reasons (Devlin 2018: 198-199). Moreover, Cox-George and Bewley argue in their study that sex robots might be of therapeutic value, and when they are used in such sense, people with sexual dysfunction that are isolating themselves might become even more isolated due to their now companionship with the sex robot. However, they further argue that the lonely, the elderly, social, physically or mentally disabled might find security in the robotic device and feel that they provide companionship (Cox-George and Bewley 2018: 2).

Based on this context, the regulation of sex robots is a somewhat unfortunate choice. As mentioned, there are numerous people with some form of social, mental, or physical disability longing for sexual intercourse and some form of companionship. Since sex and sexual activities are a big part of humans’ everyday life, hence an adequate standard of living stated in article 28 (1) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, people with disabilities are entitled to the right of sexual satisfaction. Due to sex robots being considered as a significant help

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in this context, I would argue that the implementation of the regulation of sex robots take on specific forms. Although sex robots could bring possible risks exposing women and children and the regulation against this is reasonable, regulating the use of sex robots in the context of disabilities would violate article 28 (1) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and therefore be regulated but to a lesser extent. The research standpoint of this study states that there should be a regulation of sex robots as it risks upholding activities of objectification and sexual assault, amongst all, which could be harmful against women and children. But as shown in the presented arguments above, there is no direct indication that the use of sex robots, by persons with disabilities, could expose women and children of any possible risks. Therefore, I believe that the regulation of sex robots should take on various forms, making this regulation, in this context, not as applicable as a regulation in regards to the other contexts.

6. CONCLUSION

6.1. Concluding Thoughts

Women have almost always been viewed and treated as inferior and subordinate due to their gender, their position in the society, and above all, in comparison with men and the male gender mostly being viewed as superior. When learning about sex robots, my initial thoughts were that these robotic devices are not created as a way to free women from their ineriority. On the contrary, I thought that the production and usage of sex robots would increase the stereotypical role of a woman, and a child, and exposing them to various forms of discrimination, objectification, sexualization, and abusive acts, amongst all. Therefore, in this study, I created the research standpoint; Sex robots, and thus the use of sex robots, should be regulated as without any

regulation, sex robots risk upholding activities of objectification, pedophilia, rape, and sexual assault, which could be harmful to women and children.

As a result, the arguments presented in chapter 5. Analysis and Discussion show that the regulation of sex robots, and therefore, the use of sex robots, should exist, but depending on what context, there should perhaps be various forms of the regulation.

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When concluding the various contexts, I will add one final argument to the three first presented contexts in order to prove the point of regulation even more. If sex robots and the use of sex robots results in, and brings, a possible risk of women and children being suppressed and facing sexual acts such as sexual assault, abuse, and rape, then they should be regulated. Subchapter 5.1. Sexual

assault and rape show that there could be possible risks of women when one decides to use a sex

robot as a way to perform one’s sexual desires in the form of sexual assault, abuse, and rape. Why this would come to affect women is because a sex robot is designed to replicate a woman and the female body, and the subchapter shows two main reasons for this. The first one is that a robot that replicates a woman and the female body is, first and foremost, suppressing, discriminating, sexualizing, and objectifying against women as they, most certainly, have not asked to be impersonated by sex robots. The second reason why women are affected by sex robots is due to the facts that robots do not have any real emotions and morals. This means that robots cannot give consent unless programmed to do so, and when there is no consent to a sexual act, from all involving parties, the act is considered rape. Since a sex robot is replicated as a woman and in the shape of the female body, the abusive sexual act is performed as a representation of rape of a woman. As shown in this conclusion on the context of sexual assault and rape, sex robots and the use of sex robots results in there being a possible risk facing women and children, the robotic devices should, therefore, be regulated.

If sex robots and the use of sex robots bring a possible risk of children being exposed to pedophilia and the sexually abusive acts that pedophilia supplies for, and if the robotic devices result in the risks of women being suppressed and objectified, amongst all, sex robots and the use of sex robots should be regulated. The context of pedophilia shows that a child sex robot is created as a virtual representation of a child, and designed in the way to please a pedophiles sexual desires. Some arguments indicate that the use of a child sex robot could be considered as a therapeutic treatment for those needing it. However, as shown in the research, if it should be accepted for a pedophile to use a child sex robot to perform the acts of sexual assault, abuse, and rape, then it creates a high risk of the acts later on being performed on actual human children. The precautionary principle, along with The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, takes a significant part in this argument, in favor of the regulation of sex robots and the use of sex robots, as they exist in order to protect the children from any possible risks of harm, mental and physical abuse, and any

The Regulation of Sex Robots - An argumentative study regarding the possible risks sex robots expose women and children to