Edit:
Here is a list of resources to learn about sex worker from actual sex workers who are engaged in the struggle for worker’s rights:
- https://www.nswp.org/resources/types/nswp-briefing-papers-248
- https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-trafficking-and-slavery/white-mans-burden-revisited/
- https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-trafficking-and-slavery/from-brothel-to-sweatshop-questions-on-labour-trafficking-in-camb/
- https://titsandsass.com/the-massage-parlor-means-survival-here-red-canary-song-on-robert-kraft/
- https://medium.com/purplerose0666/the-af3irm-agenda-b5ec31216904
- https://medium.com/@katezenjoy/dear-esperanza-5aa7db4d501a
- https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-trafficking-and-slavery/decriminalising-sex-work-in-new-zealand-its-history-and-impact/
- https://www.mayamorena.com/anti-equality-model-campaign/2021/5/22/pscegcnr680fh4oazlmwe8i5527o9j
Bigger repo of theory / resources:
Books to check out:
The argument seems awfully reminiscent of the arguments that “slavery has always existed and thus it is a fool’s errand to attempt to abolish it”. Like yeah, slavery has existed in various forms throughout history, from “natural” slavery (slavery to nature), to chattel slavery, serfdom, and now wage slavery, but that doesn’t mean that it is given. With modern technology and industry, most labour is unnecessary, shown by the widespread prevalence of “bullshit jobs”. In fact, it is probable that society can be run solely off of voluntary labour (communism) TODAY, abolishing all forced labour and thus slavery.
Ok but you realize that you’re equating prostitution with slavery, which is like, the entire point of the video about how that’s not fair unless you’re equating all work with slavery, right?
Anyway, what about disabled people who still want to fuck? There will always be some form of sex work—whether that work is paid for by a wage or something else (social prestige, maybe?) is up for debate. Sex work is like farming. You’re going to need somebody to do it in whatever society you set up.
What the fuck? If people don’t want to have sex with someone, you suggest to just coerce people into having sex with them with wages and “prestige”?? You do realize that coercion in sex is rape, right?! And no, sex work is not necessary! Nobody is entitled to sex!
Maybe I want to live in a society where people are entitled to things like sex and fulfillment. That’s the whole point, right? You’re entitled to a house, a good life, and maybe sexual fulfillment in some form should be a part of that.
Please ask a sex worker if they think their job involves getting raped every time they work. You’re doing the very thing the video this post is about said not to do. Sex workers aren’t stupid, they know what they’re doing, and it’s just labor.
Likewise re: the prestige point, you realize that even in a classless, money-less society there’s still going to be hierarchy and people doing stuff for prestige and social standing, right? Some people want to fuck celebrities, even ones that aren’t “hot”, because of the story. Is that rape? If somebody wants to fuck somebody else that they don’t find attractive but because it will bring them respect, is that rape either? At a certain point you just have to let people do what they want, and stop calling all things related to sex that aren’t strictly romantic relationships or lust “rape.”
Fucking thank you for this.
Edit: My only suggestion would be to rephrase your example of people with disabilities as it could be taken as ableist.
:sankara-salute: Quite a struggle session you’ve constructed here, comrade. Seems like there’s still a fair bit of Puritanical brainworms around sex on this forum!
In that scenario, there would still be people who want to have sex / companionship, but either cannot or do not want to maintain the kind of romantic or long-term relationship with another person that is “typically” required for that. Sex work provides people with that connection.
With modern technology and industry, most labour is unnecessary, shown by the widespread prevalence of “bullshit jobs”. In fact, it is probable that society can be run solely off of voluntary labour (communism)
Sure. I would hardly count sex work as a bullshit job considering it is one of the first forms of specialized labor that humans created.
Sure, we both agree that no one should be threatened with starvation or homelessness to work.
Most sex workers chose the job they do because it is the least exploitative occupation available to them.
