Some of the most irritating things I’ve heard in my life have come after I’ve joked, or not even joked but been serious about wanting/having a “sugar daddy”. So many people reply with comments like “That’s not very feminist-like of you” “How can you call yourself a feminist and say that?” —- Having or wanting a sugar daddy has absolutely no correlation to being/not being a feminist, I guess in their mind they think “How can you claim to be a feminist that preaches strength and independence, yet rely on someone for your money and well being?” But it isn’t like that. Would you shame a business woman selling clothing items because she’s relying on her customers to bring her income? It’s a simple supply and demand situation. These women are just filling the need that many men have desires and wants for, and if they can pay for them, and the woman can provide them, then it’s a simple and fair trade. The way a woman makes her money should not be a concern to anyone but her and the person(s) she is doing business with.
It’s the same concept with sex work. There is nothing wrong with someone using their body as a source of income, as long as it’s done consensually and on her terms. Of course there are many many many situations where prostitution is forced upon young girls/held under the control of pimps/sold/ etc, all are completely out of the girls control, which in every way shape and form is disgusting and tragic. There’s also a high risk of violence occurring to the woman, so there is a known danger related. But there are dangers related to every job, construction work, being a chef, driving a car. If you can accept and are okay with the fact that it’s possible that harm may come while you are holding this job, there is no valid reason that can be argued with. If safety is really a concern, outlaw construction work and all other jobs that have a risk factor. If a grown woman CHOOSES to do this in a safe and healthy way, under her terms, what’s wrong about it? Of course there will be the religious people that say it’s a sin, she’s a whore, she’s destroying her “once pure” body. (Did they forget the very well known fact that the old testament talks about their use of prostitutes many times?)
Prostitution is illegal. 70,000-80,000 people are arrested for prostitution a year. The breakdown of arrests: 70% female prostitutes and madams, 20% male prostitutes and pimps, and just 10% Johns. That equates to nine prostitutes/pimps being arrested for every one customer. The woman is shamed and accused so much more than the men who are paying for this service. So often the men who are actually paying for the service are overlooked and the woman is made out to be the bad one.
If a woman is caught having sex with a man for money, she will go to jail. But wait- here’s the catch. If a woman is caught having sex with a man for money WHILE ON CAMERA being paid by a third party, it’s called “entertainment”-porn. Perhaps it’s related to the fact that the government gets money from porn production companies, while the government sees no money from “under the table” type of deals made face to face. It really shouldn’t be a surprise, every single thing in this country, and better part of this planet is all revolved around money. It would be unacceptable for anyone to make an honest living without them getting a cut of it.
In California alone the porn industry pays over $36 million in taxes every year. In 2006 (10 years ago, so i’d imagine it’s much more at this point) the Worldwide Pornography Revenues were $97.06 billion. $97.06 BILLION DOLLARS. To put it into perspective, that’s enough to end world hunger for a year….THREE times. I guess you can’t blame the government for wanting to get in on it, but at this point, don’t you think there should be a way for women to do the same thing they’re doing on camera, but in private while still being able to do it legally? If it really is about them getting a cut of it, provide a system that they can make their transactions through so it’s the same concept as doing porn, just without the camera. Make it illegal if they’re doing it outside of the system, but don’t completely deny her the right to make her own choices. A excerpt from people.emich.edu makes an estimation based on Nevada’s legalization of prostitution; “Once the applicant has successfully obtained licensing she may work at a brothel, enjoying legal income taxable at the appropriate rate. The average annual income of an employee at one Nevada brothel working only one week per month is at least $100,000 (Ayres). Based on this figure, each legally licensed sex worker would contribute more than $20,000 in federal income taxes per year. Considering that current estimations show over one million prostituted women in America, the tax revenue generated by this industry becomes a staggering $20 billion per year (qtd. in Veronica’s Voice).”
It’s a win-win-win situation, the women can proceed legally, the government can make a ton of money through taxes, and they can still make their arrests for people not going through the system, which in turn will make them even more money. Of course there will still be a large amount of people who will continue to do it under the table because they want it to be discreet and private, but at least make it an option.There are ways things can be done that benefit everybody to a certain extent.
Sex work is a mentally and physically challenging job. It’s not for everyone. But the amazing thing is, you don’t have to want to be a sex worker to support the fact that a woman can feel empowered and strong and still be in control of the situation. It is a simple business that has already shown beneficial in one state. Women shouldn’t be arrested, children shouldn’t be taken away, lives shouldn’t be ruined, shame shouldn’t be brought. All these things could be avoided if it was legalized. Somebody has to be the supplier. There is so much money to be made in the sex work industry. No shame should be brought to someone who endeavors in a financially booming industry A woman is worth no less because she doesn’t give out her vagina for free. Men demand, the women supply. Simply put, it’s business. A business that should be legal, the same way every other job is.
(Keep in mind that men also do sex work and everything written applies to male sex workers as well.)
Twitter: @KENNABBBY
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