Type the words “feminist” and “sex worker” together into the same Google search bar, and a slew of essays, articles and blogs will come up.
A new twist in the young feminist ideologies is the assertion that the sex-worker is the “ultimate feminist.”
This brings out hurrahs from women in the sex industry, and flames from conservative feminists and angry second wavers.
The core of this discussion among feminists is whether women who work in the sex industry should be thought of as self-sufficient hard working people who deserve respect and support of the feminist community -— or if they should be shunned as insecure people who exploit their bodies and decrease the value of their gender.
A sex worker is defined as someone who receives money for sex, or sexual favors, a loose definition that applies to a variety of different occupations and services including escorts, prostitutes, exotic dancers and so on.
This topic was championed first by the second wave of feminists in the 1970s who declared war on the adult entertainment industry.
Gloria Steinem’s crusade against the porn industry along with former adult star Linda Lovelace had a dramatic effect on the feminists of the time, and the image of the “good girl” feminist resonated years after.
In recent times, feminists have found it en vogue to support women who work in the adult industry. The belief is that because sex workers can use what they have to get what they want they are empowered.
Women in the sex industry have been glamorized in recent years, most notably by the memoirs of an escort named Belle du Jour, whose novels are the basis of a popular British television show “Secret Diary of a Call Girl.”
This show follows the adventures of Belle and her friends, her many “Johns” and how she balances her personal life with being a call girl.
This glamorization of the sex industry has certainly had an effect on young women because it makes prostitution look like a fun job that’s easy money.
While I agree with supporting the health and interests of sex workers, I do not believe that this is a new age of feminism where the objectification of one’s body should be thought of as empowering.
If all sex work was de-criminalized on a national basis, it would remove many harmful elements. It would give the women opportunity to receive healthcare, remove the middle man or “pimp” from their lives and take away at least some of the stigma of their profession that follows them in society.
I believe in protecting the interests of all women, but I do not believe in promoting the idealized Hollywood version
of the call girl. All women inside or thinking of entering the business should be wary of the dangers.
Moreover, all feminists should think before they leap to judge anyone in that line of business because we’re all sisters, and we need to look out for each other’s interests.
