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:
- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oWxx3yodCJJGxTmqgCeB6csVAeRkllSQq_VUe78MJA4/view
Books to check out:
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36224357-sex-lies-statistics
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I mean, sex work depends on one person giving money to another. So if one group has more money than another, the first group can exploit and oppress the second group in a large number of ways, including colonial extraction of resources. In many places, young women are viewed as a resource to be extracted (the stereotypes about Thailand allude to this.)
In a hypothetical society which got rid of money, would sex work exist? If money was replaced with something like labor-hour vouchers, then sex work might be seen as less exploitative, especially if options other than sex work are readily available to the worker.
I think this conversation really boils down to - is the sex worker choosing their line of work, among a longer list of other viable options, or are they forced into it because there are no other viable options? The ability to choose you own work and be adequately compensated should be the focal point.