Opinion | Is It ‘Prostitution’ or ‘Sex Work’?
To the Editor:
Re “It’s Not ‘Intercourse Work.’ It’s Prostitution,” by Pamela Paul (column, Aug. 18), about how the time period “intercourse work” legitimizes the exploitative intercourse commerce:
Ms. Paul’s article is fearless, as evenhanded and considerate as it’s provocative.
As a former Title VI-funded doctoral fellow whose thesis explored the results of the professionalization of conventional feminine occupations, I used to be steeped in radical feminist principle, and I do know the theoretical foundation for the notion that intercourse “work” includes alternative and company.
However as a lawyer who has represented quite a few younger and grown ladies charged with prostitution professional bono, I’ve but to fulfill a single one who wouldn’t somewhat be doing one thing else — and whose views of males and their very own sexuality hadn’t been distorted by their “work.”
Finally, the notion that intercourse “work” might be empowering strikes me like Gov. Ron DeSantis’s comment that slaves gained helpful expertise whereas being handled like chattel property.
Joel M. Younger
Placitas, N.M.
To the Editor:
Pamela Paul’s opposition to the time period “intercourse work” is akin to opposing the time period “home staff” for maids as a result of exploitation and trafficking are widespread in home service. Reasonably than denying staff their rightful standing in industries rife with abuse, we should always struggle for enhanced labor protections.
The time period “intercourse work” doesn’t glorify exploitation. Quite the opposite, it acknowledges the dignity of people that promote intercourse and supplies a framework to mobilize for higher working situations.
I’ve interviewed over 100 intercourse staff in Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala and Argentina, together with these in intercourse employee organizations that fashioned within the Nineteen Eighties and ’90s to struggle exploitative situations and demand recognition as staff. They inform me the time period “intercourse employee” enabled them to shed internalized disgrace and see themselves as deserving of rights.
Ms. Paul’s declare that an elite minority are dictating this time period to the least privileged intercourse staff couldn’t be farther from the reality. The leaders of intercourse employee rights actions in growing international locations typically come from extraordinarily poor backgrounds. I think they might ask Ms. Paul to not dictate phrases to them.
Jessica Van Meir
Cambridge, Mass.
The author conducts analysis on intercourse work and home work as a doctoral pupil in Public Coverage on the Harvard Kennedy Faculty of Authorities.
To the Editor:
I’m not a “former intercourse employee.” I’m a survivor of a significant system of oppression. Because the nationwide marketing campaign supervisor for World With out Exploitation, and somebody who survived the intercourse commerce, I couldn’t agree extra with Pamela Paul.
The time period “intercourse work” means that prostitution is a job like another. This couldn’t be farther from actuality. No job on this planet exposes staff to such excessive violence. In line with analysis, 68 p.c of individuals within the intercourse commerce in 9 international locations, together with the U.S., report having PTSD, whereas 63 p.c report being raped, and 71 p.c report being subjected to bodily assault. A 2018 examine of 65 prostituted ladies — trans ladies included — discovered 61 p.c suffered traumatic mind harm.
Prostitution is one thing you survive, not a job. It’s an oppressive system predicated on energy imbalance — largely males with good jobs and disposable earnings buying society’s most susceptible.
There are numerous phrases for it: exploitation, violence, predatory habits and others. However it isn’t “intercourse” or “work.” Please don’t name it that.
Alisa Bernard
Alexandria, Va.
To the Editor:
I’m a homosexual man who engaged in intercourse work when different pursuits weren’t bringing in adequate earnings. I’ve been, amongst different issues, a composer, an actor, a author, a performer in homosexual grownup movies and — in fact — a waiter. Of these, intercourse work was essentially the most trustworthy. I by no means as soon as felt uncomfortable or coerced.
Certainly, I had many experiences the place I felt extra like a social employee than a prostitute. As soon as, after a job, I took my consumer on an architectural strolling tour of Midtown whereas he talked about his spouse and youngsters. Simply the 2 of us strolling empty streets within the small hours. It was magical.
By the way, working in grownup movies and being a intercourse employee have been the one jobs the place I used to be by no means sexually harassed. Conversely, I by no means felt extra like a prostitute than after I walked right into a Broadway audition.
I do know nothing about being a feminine within the heterosexual world of intercourse work, however I want these speaking about this topic wouldn’t paint with such a broad brush, as theirs shouldn’t be your entire story.
Tom Judson
Catskill, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Pamela Paul makes a compelling argument towards the time period “intercourse work” as a cynical effort to legitimize an trade that’s rooted in sexual exploitation. The Intercourse Commerce Survivors Justice and Equality Act, a invoice presently pending within the New York State Legislature, would translate this understanding into regulation.
Sponsored by Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, the invoice would decriminalize the victims of prostitution — those that are purchased and offered within the commerce — whereas holding the johns and pimps who purchase and promote them accountable below the regulation. It acknowledges the apparent — that prostitution perpetuates sexism and racism.
Maine simply turned the primary state within the nation to undertake this progressive method, often called the “equality mannequin.” It was efficiently pioneered way back by Sweden and extra not too long ago adopted by France, Eire, Israel and a rising variety of different international locations around the globe. As a world hub for intercourse trafficking, which is fueled by the demand for prostitution, New York ought to comply with go well with.
Jessica Neuwirth
New York
The author is the director of the Human Rights Program at Roosevelt Home, Hunter Faculty, and a founding father of the Frontline Girls’s Fund.
