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Sex trade workers: Do they deserve respect?

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by Street Pattern, Nov 19, 2013.

  1. Street Pattern

    Street Pattern Very Tilted

    I think you have a very different attitude toward the word "whore" than I do.

    I think "whore" is a dehumanizing slur. No one deserves to be called "whore," including sex workers.

    It's on the same level as calling a woman a "cunt".
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 19, 2013
  2. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    No actually, I have the same attitude as you.
    ...And part of the reason I chose not to use it.
    But in fact, either sex could be one.
    However, in the phrase you're referring to, the more typical use is "attention-whore", the 2nd part is their word, not mine
    and in the end, just a word...and why I said I respected them more than her. It's your intent in its usage and context.

    And if it were legal, I may use their service, but haven't yet.

    Let's just say, I wouldn't vote for her.
    And I'd rather have them in office. ;)
     
  3. Street Pattern

    Street Pattern Very Tilted

    I'm pretty sure a sex worker is a human being, worthy of respect.
     
  4. mixedmedia

    mixedmedia ...

    Location:
    Florida
    I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the word 'deserve.' Does it mean so very much to have my respect?

    Yes, anyone who leads a fairly honest life, who is trying, maybe failing now and then, but tries to live benevolently without intentionally harming others deserves my respect.

    That person my be a sex worker, a slaughterhouse worker or, less likely, a politician. It really doesn't matter.
     
    • Like Like x 4
  5. omega

    omega Very Tilted

    I prefer the term ladies of negotiable affection.
     
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  6. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC

    Is this like a professional snuggler? :p


    Personally, I respect them as human beings...then again, I enjoyed my conversations with porn stars too when I was in San Diego. (some are quite intelligent)
    Do I "respect" their profession...that's a hard call. No more than I "respect" a sewage workers job. In comparison to let's say Doctors. But we still need them.
    Then again, I know some pros that I think have more integrity than some doctors.

    Hell, would society be destroyed if it were legal? Not at all, countries like Germany seem to be doing quite well.
    And perhaps both sexes could get something out of it...or be more aware of their own sexuality...or be able to focus on other things,
    than the constant emotional sexual politics or what you have to do to get sex...and deal with it after the fact.

    So, if they're cool...I'm cool.
    Then again, I'm a big believer that people's clothing/rank are irrelevant to true skill and accomplishment. What you wear should affect people judging your output. But they do anyway.

    So don't be surprised when people judge your profession too.
    People believe in illusions.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    The idea that sex trade workers are automatically deserving of censure is, I think, based on two things: 1) They receive money for doing something illegal, and 2) A negative view of women and sex.

    I can understand people disliking those who engage in criminal activities, but I view prostitution much like I view the marijuana trade: They're illegal, but should they be?

    However, I think most of the negativity is based on views of women and sex. There is a wide variety of opinion on this matter, but I think many have views on it that seem contradictory or possibly incongruent with other views. The obvious one is when people view sex as negative or very conservatively while having liberal or open views/acceptance of violence. Violent movies? Okay. Violence is a fact of life. Erotic movies? Whoa, wait. That's filthy!

    Add to the general ideas of sex the fact that some women monetize it by granting access to paying men, and it becomes highly politicized. (For reasons I won't get into at the moment.)

    I mean, there's big money in paying men to beat each other to a pulp for thousands to watch, both in private and in public, and it's sanctioned and legal....

    UFC 167—total gate: $5.7 million; top payout $400,000; lowest payout $8,000.


    ]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv53mcXLtxc

    ...but a woman getting paid for sex in a private environment? What a whore!

    It boggles my mind.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  8. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    Separating the individuals working in sex trades from the negativity associaated with the sex trade industry is difficult.

    In general, anyone who does their best no matter their job, even in the sex trade, deserves respect. For the purpose of this discussion, I would made some distinctions.

    Pornography/Prostitution:

    A porn star/prostitute who does so of their own free will, yes. If they allow themselves to be manipulated, despite having clear & real options to change things, no. That said, many people in 'regular' jobs are manipulated & treated unfairly; some are stuck, some can move on but choose not to for whatever reason.

    A producer/director/manager/pimp who preys on the desperate, no. If said person works only with those in the business of their own free will, and treats them fairly, yes.
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2013
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  9. Stan

    Stan Resident Dumbass

    Location:
    Colorado
    I've refered to my past and present jobs as "network whore" . I use the word specifically for it's negative connotations.

    It's just a word that has some baggage.

    I couldn't care less about money changing hands between consenting adults. It has nothing to do with my respect.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  10. mixedmedia

    mixedmedia ...

    Location:
    Florida
    I actually kind of like the word 'whore.' I like the way it sounds.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  11. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    Don't get me wrong. It's a good word. I simply like to point out some of the problems in its use compared to other things.

    And it really depends on what is meant in its use. I think many use it to render people worthless. I'm not so cool with that.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  12. mixedmedia

    mixedmedia ...

    Location:
    Florida
    well, yeah, I totally agree with you. same with the word 'slut.'
     
  13. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    Whore, slut, all a matter of context.

    "I can't believe that he married her, that whore (slut) slept with every guy in town."

    "Did you hear waht happened last night? The police arrested the whores over on Main St."
    "I certain that my husband is seeing a whore, a pro."

    "You love to get fucked like a whore. I said get on all fours, slut!"
    "Fuck me like a whore, damn you! I'm a dirty slut who needs to get fucked hard!"
     
  14. curiousbear

    curiousbear Terse & Bizarre

    IMHO a sex worker can be called a whore in private. Or while referring to her in private. But not in a street or a shop, not when met in other context. For that matter it doesn't matter whether the person is a sex worker or not it goes to anyone. Someone in some specific context could even enjoy being called a whore by a certain person. It is all about the context.

    Like MM I too think the word 'deserve' is not right here.

    And I have nothing against sex trade. It is the abuse/racket associated with it that I hate.

    Now about calling a politician a whore - I don't understand why should we do that. That is like calling some one a pig during an argument. Or It could be just that my English is primitive (bookish)
     
  15. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    Politicians, generally speaking, have a reputation for voting for bills that favor the industries that make large contributions to their campaigns. For example, a Republican from Texas might be called a "whore" for favoring oil industry interests, while a Democrat from NY might be called a "whore" for supporting labor unions. Basically any politician who favors special interest groups, or even for doing what they think is best for their state, their party, etc. Being labelled a political "whore" doesn't always involve political contributuions or exchanging favors.
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2013
    • Like Like x 1
  16. Xerxes

    Xerxes Bulking.

    Heh, adjectives. I wonder, what is up with splitting hairs and redefining words? A whore originally was a noun, synonymous to prostitute. Now? A whore is

    a) A prostitute
    b) promiscuous woman,
    c) one who seeks gainful satisfaction (be it, financial, emotional whatever) by debasing oneself

    Personally? I like the word whore. I will use it to describe an escort and a $2.00 hooker.

    All my girlfriends I've called whores whilst in the throws of passion and I am attempting to injure them via penile assault. "You like that you filthy whore? You like getting you cunt fucked? Do you think I do this for free? Fucking whore take my dick!"

    Not once has either of them complained even after being ridiculed at work the following day about the marks on their necks.

    Sara Palin? I will call her an attention whore. I don't know if she thinks she is debasing herself. She is rather stupid.

    I have no qualms about calling a woman a whore, be it in jest or while I am serious. If the scant clothing fits ...

    You can call me a whore. I will do things for money. I will debase myself for financial gratification. Anyone of the ladies on your local backpage are whores. And they will accept your money as much as I.

    Call me.
     
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  17. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Well, often people use the word "whore" in reference to people selling themselves or selling out.

    For example, aren't many of us "whores" for selling our skills for money...or catering/submitting to the "powers that be" to keep that money coming?

    Does it just have to be our bodies we sell? What about models? Does it have to be sexual? What about sexual surrogates?
    How do we define it?

    As with any word...it's the context.

    Sex workers can be their own person.
    And people judge others constantly for many things, justified or not.
    Models on their looks, scientists on their knowledge, lawyers on their judgements, athletes on their wins, etc...

    It depends on their own self-worth.

    Let's not presume that just because you use a word, it is automatically demeaning.
    The intent and tone is important.

    A nice discussion I'm having in other threads... :rolleyes:
     
  18. Charlatan

    Charlatan sous les pavés, la plage

    Location:
    Temasek
    I like the word whore as well.

    That said, calling someone like Palin a whore, does a disservice to whores. It's kind of like the using the word cocksucker or gay, as a pejorative.

    If we are to rehabilitate the word, whore, what word would one use as a substitute for someone like Palin. Clearly the speaker is looking to denigrate her for her desire to do anything for money... is there another word that would work here?

    Opportunist is apt, but not nasty enough.
     
  19. I wouldnt call Palin a 'lady' - just another piece of murdering scum - even though I did see a bit of -

    View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxlAhlHqrrc

    I think it is a parody as not all the animals look dead.
    Chef said - a prostitute is like any other woman but you pay her to leave instead of to stay.
    Another word for a morally bereft trollop who happily screws all and sundrie and makes a profit from it I believe may well be 'politician'.
     
  20. MSD

    MSD Very Tilted

    Location:
    CT
    It's among the words I've excised from my everyday vocabulary and set aside on a shelf where they sit until they're explicitly relevant to the conversation. There's little value in using a word so loaded with condemnation and problematic attitudes when more neutral words are available.
     
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