[CW: Discussion of Sex Work, SWERFism, Abuse, Misogyny]
I'm unsure if you folks will find this too heavy to handle, but I hope not. I have feminist views that may be interpreted as being highly exclusionary to sex workers, and I feel they are problematic, but I'm having a hard time changing them. I think my views are leaving me to tune out positive outlooks from sex workers because I cannot trust what they are saying.
I believe that sex work is inherently misogynistic and exploitative. I do support sex workers in their struggles, but I feel very uncomfortable when a sex worker denies that they are being exploited, objectified, dehumanized, etc. I feel like this is a denial tactic used to make them feel better in the scheme of capitalism because they are having a difficult time coping with the pain that capitalism has brought upon them, as it does with most people.
However, I will concede that I feel as if I'm arguing from incredulity here because I simply find it hard to genuinely believe differently than my position, but disbelief in the credibility of other viewpoints quite obviously is not a solid basis for a good argument.
I understand that sex work can be lucrative, but I think that doing it sells so much dignity that it's a really absurd tradeoff regardless of how much money you make from it. I also think, in the context of capitalism, things like escorting should be legal because I'm fearful that if an escort goes through abuse during her services, she will not be able to report it without getting in legal trouble herself. However, my ideal viewpoint is that communism would make sex work redundant and that's because my issue with it is the "work" part and not the "sex" part.
I think that sex positivity, free love, and sexual liberation are good, but consent is a huge part of it. I don't see sex work as anything "consensual." I see it as women being victims of capitalism and misogyny getting coerced into thinking that the best way to make sure that they have their needs met is by being seen as a sex object for men.
This is the core problem. Doesn't have anything to do with sex work. Women are telling you about their lives. You're deciding that they're mentally ill and lying.
But on the other hand workers can have false consciousness. The American working class in general is far from revolutionary, and the communist line contradicts the personal beliefs of most American workers. You shouldn't disregard what sex workers are saying, but you shouldn't be tailist either. As for what the communist line on sex work should be... I plead the first.
Yeah, that is the problem. However, this is a viewpoint I specifically reserved for sex work and not other forms of labor. I will concede that this is a flawed mindset, though. I, unfortunately, have fallen into the trap of thinking that there is one universal outlook on how sex workers view their job, and it, like what @Quimps@hexbear.net was getting at was at, is extremely infantilizing to think that way. It's also just highly unnuanced.
I've been processing this all day, and I realized that in the system of capitalism, we're all victims of some form of exploitation, and no matter what way that exploitation manifests, there will be harm and problems with the form of labor. Looking down on sex workers or distrusting that they know what's best for them wasn't right of me. Sex isn't a bad thing, and if handled appropriately can be a very enjoyable and pleasant thing, as many people know.
Unfortunately, if handled inappropriately, it can be the exact opposite. With that in mind, I'm best supporting them in all they do and wishing for them to have the best outcomes as sex workers no matter what. You are undoubtedly right that they need to be listened to, and understood, and what they say should, oftentimes, be taken at face value.
If I wanted to place myself in a similar perspective with my own career desires, I dream of doing music in some professional capacity myself, but a lot of people tell me that it's a job that isn't very pleasant and that they doubt professional musicians, barring some exceptions, can enjoy their work. It's a viewpoint that I've always taken offense to because it always came from people who had zero interest in making music and were undermining my interest in it, so that makes me ask: why would I do the same to anyone of any career path? Especially, if it's something that deals with something that isn't inherently bad, which sex definitely isn't, and I'll be the first to say it.
This was all a learning experience, and all feedback is appreciated. Period.
If you view women as being a class within the framework of patriarchy, I don't think it would be a contradiction... Prostitution is at the confluence of labor exploitation by the bourgeoisie and sexual exploitation by the male class, no?
But if prostitution is objectionable, let's be Marxist about it. What would need to happen for its abolition? Laws just push it underground, so we need a change in social relations. Presumably, the abolition of private ownership, class, any meaningful sex/gender distinction would finally lead to the disappearance of the sex trade. But since we're currently just fighting for labor rights under capitalism - where the abolition of prostitution is impossible - you absolutely should take sex workers' opinions seriously when it comes to how we can fight for better working conditions/quality of life.
edit cause now I can't reply but maybe you're interested idk:
Concepts like dignity aren't really useful for this. It's subjective. Many Marxists will disagree about there being no dignity in sex work, but Marxists shouldn't disagree with an analysis on class relations. You should be able to have a productive conversation if you start from there.
Sex work is very broad. So you think escorts should be legal because it'll be safer for the worker, but what about onlyfans, amateur pornography, corporate pornography, brothels, etc.? If your answer is safety is the most important, and abolition can wait until communism, I don't really see how your opinion is a problem. But of course, you do seem to be disregarding sex workers' opinions that are contrary to yours, so maybe you're close-minded about how to make sex work safer in the meantime.
That is essentially what I meant by this portion of my post.