Over the last couple of years, there has been a lot of debate over the statement “sex work is work.”
This liberal statement focuses on the legitimacy of sex work: is it or is it not work? Often seen as a way to empower women, this statement has been tossed around in debates surrounding the sex work industry.
So, is sex work really work?
Sex work is often seen as the best option for those who are struggling in poverty and destitution as it is a fairly easy point to hit. In a capitalist society – with an inflation-ridden economy – the notion of having no education and no prospects of getting one may push people into the arms of sex work. Jobs are not always the easiest to come by, neither are solid pay checks. Not only may sex work be seen as the best option, but also the only option.
Other sex workers see it as an industry that offers better pay and more flexible working conditions, a feature which may entice some. Seen by some as an exploration and expression of their sexuality, sex work – according to them – should be deemed as work, but also a creative strand of this work. Whether you agree or not, the concept of using this type of work as an expression of sexuality forces one to look at sex work from a novel perspective.
One of the main criticisms of sex work is its unethical nature. Whether or not sex work is ‘ethical’ is irrelevant. Work does not always have to be ethical [some may argue that this can be seen in abattoir workers]; this may be unfortunate or fortunate depending on your outlook. And, whilst I am not claiming sex work is unethical, a strand of work cannot be deemed as such due to it being unethical.
The main solution posed in these kinds of debates is to criminalise the industry. Whilst the sentiment is often genuine, this solution is a poor one. Unfortunately, sex workers do sometimes suffer from violence. Criminalising this industry would do nothing but increase the levels of violence, making it unsafe for the workers, and decrease the likelihood of these workers to report the violence they experience.
Whilst this topic is widely debated, it is often forgotten that these sex workers are human beings with their own opinions about their experiences. They have diverse feelings about their work: some disliking it but finding it the best option to make a living, and some enjoy their work and find it rewarding or fun. Regardless, it is ultimately their opinion to make, not ours.
Sex workers deserve the same rights as everybody else, and it is unjust to deny them of those rights due to their source of income.
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