View Poll Results: Prostitute or Sex Worker

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  • Prostitute

    8 17.39%
  • Sex Worker

    21 45.65%
  • Other

    17 36.96%
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Thread: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

  1. #1
    Featured Member Tourdefranzia's Avatar
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    Default Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    Both "prostitute" and "sex worker" have the same basic definition: A person, usually a woman, who engages in sexual activity for payment.

    This definition is pretty broad and would cover anything from nude modeling to hardcore ass-to-mouth fucking in porn.

    Personally, I thing when someone uses the term "prostitute" it is a demeaning statement which insinuates a low moral character or a member of an "untouchable" class of people. Most of the time, web cam models and porn stars are not referred to by this moniker because they do not have any physical contact with their clients. But nowhere in the definition does it say that physical contact is a necessary component to be categorized as a prostitute or a sex worker.

    I'd also go as far to say that when one uses the word "prostitute" the image of a drugged up hooker standing on a street corner selling $20 hand jobs is what comes to mind. Not the girls looking for sugar relationships on Seek Arrangement or high end call girls who charge wealthy men thousands of dollars for hand jobs.

    I'm interested in what you all think: Should the word "prostitute" stay in our vernacular or should we push it out to the more modern "sex worker" description?

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    I actually look at prostitutes/escort as a sub category of the broader term sex worker. Sex worker is more of a blanket category so the two words, in my mind, can't be really synonymous. Prostitute is a very specific line of work. While sex worker covers everything in the sexual service industry -prostitution, escorting, camming, stripping, pro domming/subbing, porn. Hell, I'm sure even some people might consider sugaring a gray area of sex worker depending on the nature of the arrangement.

    I do not look at prostitute as a derogatory term, though. That might come down to an individuals personal idea on those particular semantics... ?
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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    This topic actually reminds me of a discussion I got into on a BDSM forum about the word "whore." Someone had claimed that a prostitute he knew was offended at the thought of a woman liking being called a whore in a play-degradation kind of way because it's a word that sex workers have "reclaimed," sort of like what happened with the word "queer."

    As a sex worker, I responded by saying that this girl needs to mind her own beeswax.

    To tie this back to your post, by saying I'm a sex worker, people started asking me follow up questions about my "local sex worker community," basically assuming I'm a prostitute, which I'm not; I'm a camgirl.
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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    I don't think it matters how it's labeled it's the actions and the fact it's illegal in many places that society is against.

    I think the women who work in these areas still deserve respect but the other women who are drugged out and reckless make it worse for everyone else.

    I don't think the word prostitute is going anywhere considering it's the worlds oldest profession that words been around and will be around. And humans like to label things to better understand their world.

    So to me it's all about respEct. You can say a woman works as a prostitute and be respectful however it is illegal so maybe saying one is a sex worker is a way to not sound as illegal? Idk.
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    Featured Member Tourdefranzia's Avatar
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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    Luvnrockets, you make a good point.

    Strangely, no one throws "Pimps and Prostitutes" parties. I like the alliteration of Pimps and Prostitutes, though.

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    I don't use the word 'prostitute' to refer to someone who sells actual sex just because I feel like these days it has a very derogatory feel, I would refer to them as an escort. I just think it's more polite. If an escort wants to call herself a prostitute though I don't have an issue with it, people can call themselves whatever they want.

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    It may be hard to get rid of the word "prostitution" as a term since a variety of laws and local ordinances may use the term prostitute and/or prostitution. It may need to say with us for legal purposes. But I would argue that in colloquial speech, we are already using "sex worker" as the blanket class where "prostitute" historically was the blanket class (for selling sex acts).

    I think our media has helped shape that view (negatively) for us. I do agree that terms like: hooker, sex worker, model, camgirl, extras girl, dancer, sugar baby, escort, courtesan, streetwalker, mistress, kept woman, woman of the night -- all sound less vulgar than prostitute. My preference is to ask the person or class in question: what do you want to be called? Then I try to use that term going forward out of respect. So whatever y'all want to call yourselves is fine with me.

    RE: laws and ordinances

    We saw a parallel argument when some of the religious right said marriage should be a religious term and we use civil union for the legal, secular, legal term -- except there would be a mountain of legal documents to rewrite -- so much in fact, that it wouldn't be remotely feasible. The ship has set sailed. Assuming there is no uphill battle to rewrite legal documents to banish the term prostitute, if y'all find the term vulgar, then maybe we get consider getting rid of it?

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    I voted sex worker, I loath the word prostitute, it soulless and clinical and lacking in passion, like sound kind of disease that one has to fundraise to get rid of.

    Sex Worker is also far more inclusive, it can encompus more then just stereotypical intercourse and BJs. It can be strippers, street walkers, phone sex operators, porn actors, escorts, BDSM slaves and Dom/inatrixes, erotic writers, dildo manufacturers, etc...

    I also like the word Whore, because its taboo, erotically charged, spiritual (Sacred Whore), excitingly naughty etc... Although I don't likewhen its used to he spiteful and hurt someones feeling on purpose, its kind of like how some Christians feel about saying God in vain.

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    I actually think the word "prostitute" is important to use when we advocate for legalization. We have to be clear that having sex for money is what needs to be legalized, and that is all prostitution is. All the other parts of sex work are different. It's the sex in exchange for money that we want to make legal, so in my opinion, it's important to keep it sounding clinical when discussing it academically or legislatively.

    I never thought of the word "prostitute" as a disease someone has to fundraise to get rid of.. jesus it bothers you that much? It's a fucking job title, nothing more.

    Also, I've never heard of a dildo manufacturer referred to as a sex worker. Has anyone else? There's a big difference between selling your sexuality/body for sex purposes and manufacturing adult materials.
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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    Escort or full service sex work is the right word. Prostitute is considered a slur.

    Also, a cam girl, stripper, PSO, escort = all sex workers
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  21. #11
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    Dizzy Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    I am confused though.

    I thought:
    prostitute referred to - ladies that work the streets, truck lots, cars, quicker transactions
    escort referred to - hotel ladies, clubs, hourly
    sugar babies - monthly and longer

    *I don't know if I'd consider escorts or sugar babies prostitutes because a percentage of them supposedly don't have sex with their clients/daddies/etc and of the ones that do - the transaction is not as quick therefore blurring the line between a pro who is working and a civilian who is having a one night stand with a generous guy.

    I thought:
    sex workers - people who have sex with clients; those who 'simulate' sex depending on local law(escorts, prostitutes, etc)
    adult workers - in the adult industry but not actually having sex with clients (like porn directors, madams, webcam studios, strip club managers, etc)

    Like Dominic.2 suggested, I would personally call ladies I know whatever they want to be called out of respect, however I am wondering how the word prostitute is a slur? If thats the case then, so is escort (change to 'date wealthy men'), sex work (because the word sex and work - for money), stripper (change to exotic dancer), porn star (change to adult film actress), and cam girl (change to webcam model).

    Maybe Im in the minority but I don't see the word prostitute as vulgar. I think the word prostitute is simply a specific word that describes a job that is a type of sex work.

    I think it's one thing to say "ugh you look like a total prostitute" - then yes that's derogatory and disrespectful. But if I say "oh he/she works as a prostitute" and I drive by the track and there he/she is then that is fact to describe the act/the job - no that's not disrespectful in my opinion. However if he/she knew that I know and prefered I keep quiet or refer to their job as "xyz" then that's what I'd do.

    And Anyone working the track is not going to have the words 'escort' or 'sex worker' on their arrest record if they get busted it's going to say 'prostitution'.
    Last edited by miss.a.p1600; 02-10-2016 at 08:31 AM.
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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    I've used the word prostitute/prostitution as the title, bc it's an old term. I never knew it was derogatory? If that's the case, then the word is done.

    I know some girls at my club don't like to be called "strippers". Um-k. They prefer "entertainer".

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    Just read the wiki on "prostitution." Someone prefers the term "tantric engineer."

    Not enough women with STEM careers my ass!
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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    In my opinion we should endeavor to reduce the number of words that we give the power to be derogatory when directed at ourselves, and increase the number of words we consider derogatory when directed at others.

    I would consider prostitute to be explanatory, it is a legalistic word, but I would not direct it at someone. In fact I don't think I would use any word directly at a prostitute/escort/provider/sex worker unless she had used it in reference to herself. As mentioned, some women consider the word whore playful, while others will scratch your eyes out.

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    This thread also got me thinking, whatever happened to the word "Hooker?"

    Even as I write it, it looks kind of old-fashioned.

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tourdefranzia View Post
    This thread also got me thinking, whatever happened to the word "Hooker?"

    Even as I write it, it looks kind of old-fashioned.
    I cannot say 'hooker' without channeling Dudley Moore in 'Arthur'


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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    oh, isn't it great every single movie clip you want to reference is on youtube.........

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    Prostitute is so degrading sounding. There's different degrees of sex work and while some are illegal, it takes balls to enter into it. Some clients think all sex work jobs are interchange-ya know, ones who ask strippers for extras, ask Dommes to remove their clothing, ask cam girls to meet up. I think the specific titles should be used to avoid confusion, offending people, etc.
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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    I prefer the term ESCORT
    ...as a subcategory of sex work.

    I don't mind Hoe but it is often used in a derogatory term.
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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    I always thought hooker was the derogatory word and prostitute was standard. And I thought escorts don't say they sell sex but they sell their time and sex may or may not happen.. so wouldn't they be two different things? Idk though I'm a stripper (*Gasp* Lol I don't think that word is derogatory either).

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    Quote Originally Posted by 22lligm View Post
    I always thought hooker was the derogatory word and prostitute was standard. And I thought escorts don't say they sell sex but they sell their time and sex may or may not happen.. so wouldn't they be two different things? Idk though I'm a stripper (*Gasp* Lol I don't think that word is derogatory either).
    It's what I thought about escort too? No sex, possible sex, definite sex...."rates by the hour"dates????

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    Hooker def sounds hateful towards women in general. To me, at least.

  41. #23
    Veteran Member red.velvet's Avatar
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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    pros·ti·tute:
    ˈprästəˌt(y)o͞ot
    noun
    1. a person, typically a woman, who engages in sexual activity for payment.


    Prostitute (and hooker for that matter) is a dumb, outdated word and here's why:
    - As slang, people usually mean it in relation to a street-walking sex worker, but that became outdated with the internet. Cam girls didn't exist pre-internet, and strippers were stereotyped to be escorts, so this is why they weren't explicitly included in the slang
    - As the literal definition, "prostitute" is ANY sexual activity for money so "prostitute" could EQUALLY refer to a cam girl, stripper, sugar baby, escort, or even a PSO. those are ALL sexual services in exchange for money. There have since been more accurate, specific terms to use for these things like "cam girl" etc.

    So it is outdated, and therefore irrelevant.

    Honestly, in the eyes of men, most will view all sexwork as the same. I have had so many male friends, when I asked for opinions, tell me that they see them almost all equally because they all have pros and cons which even them out. I believe it, and this is why:

    Porn leaves a trail of videos on the internet forever, and the career is short-lived.
    Webcam leaves a trail on the internet forever for everyone who knows you to view, but you don't make as much as other forms of sexwork.
    Stripping is grinding up against dozens of men per night and letting them all touch you while fighting off assaults and adhering to a set schedule.
    Sugaring is letting some man (or a few) pretend to be better than an escort client, all while paying you less per hour than escorting, and often requiring bareback.
    Escorting is engaging in full penetration (though not always) which risks you for stds and pregnancy, but its most secretive and you make the most, though hard with relationships. Sidenote, it is NOT illegal. Time for money is NOT illegal.

    All sexwork is exactly the same. You are still a sexworker or the definition of a "prostitute" no matter if you're a sugarbaby, webcam girl, or escort. You are viewed the same. Although many think they are better than other sexworkers for what they do. They are all still the definition of "prostitute" which makes no sense why some like to act like they are better than others.

    For the record, I've tried all except porn (just because I don't want a lot of visibility).

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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    Sex work is an umbrella term covering stripping, cramming ,clips, porn, sugaring, prostituiton, body rub girls, etc..

    Prostitute is just a no-frills word to mean sex for money. It could be an escort or a street walker. The only reason it's considerd derogatory has to do with the lack of respect sex workers are shown in society.

    Escort is high end of the prostituiton spectrum but everyone knows what it means.

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  45. #25
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    Default Re: Prostitute or Sex Worker or something else?

    Quote Originally Posted by simone87 View Post
    Prostitute is just a no-frills word to mean sex for money. It could be an escort or a street walker. The only reason it's considerd derogatory has to do with the lack of respect sex workers are shown in society.
    The literal definition of "prostitute" doesn't say sex. It says "sexual activity" and webcam as well as lapdances are theoretically "sexual activities." Back when this word was used, there were "escorts" were mostly streetwalkers unless you ran within a very wealthy circle and met men that way (which would be a sugarbaby), strippers were already stereotyped to be having sex, and cam girls did not exist.

    "Human sexual activity, human sexual practice or human sexual behavior is the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality. People engage in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone (e.g., masturbation) to acts with another person (e.g., sexual intercourse, non-penetrative sex, oral sex, etc.) in varying patterns of frequency, for a wide variety of reasons. Sexual activity normally results in sexual arousal and physiological changes in the aroused person, some of which are pronounced while others are more subtle."

    This means webcam girl, pornstar, sugarbaby, stripper, and PSO are all considered "prostitutes" as well as escorts.


    To counter this, if someone wants to further break this down to "sex is not legal in exchange for money though" insinuating what escorts are doing is different because it is "illegal" then this is what I have to say:

    1.) Escorts are paid for their time, not for the act, which is 100% legal
    2.) If escorting is illegal, theoretically being a sugarbaby should be illegal too because its the same activities, only presented to appear to fit more into our legal constructs
    3.) Sex for "money only" is only theoretically legal in order to maximize patriarchal control and gain extra capital in a corrupt political world. Its a purposely corrupt system, and if "sexual acts in exchange for money" was actually the problem, then porn, webcam, and stripping would all also be illegal through loopholes that people use to try and imply that "escorting is an illegal activity!"
    Last edited by red.velvet; 02-10-2016 at 04:07 PM.

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