[LAF] Sex Work

[steve ash]

Sex is clearly something people do to each other and give to each other (including mutual service). And after all anarchism is as much about voluntarily serving the community, and the members of it as it, is 'doing ur own thing', that's how we become social individuals rather than selfish libertarians.

I don't think prostitution is about providing sex that's paid for, I've never experienced or heard of a prostitute that does that (though I only have limited teenage experience :)) Normally a prostitute offers a service and sets the rate by the hour, the john then complies or he's in trouble. This is even more the case with professional dominatrixes, which a lot of free sex workers are. I agree most also have pimps that exploit them. But most don't regard that it is the sex that is being paid for, but rather that their time is being paid for, as they have lost 'employment hours' in the act, which never takes place in their free time. In an anarchist society this might take the form of giving them food or other gifts as they would be losing time in the necessities of growing their own food etc. Though in a pure gift economy reciprocation would not be required. Such a society would of course evolve after the end of capitalist society in long stages, rather
 than a miraculous transformation.

The key point for me is thus evolution in gradual stages from what exists now to what is natural, rather than creating somekind of sudden magical transformation.

The sex in autonomous prostitution is whatever the prostitute decides it is, any troublesome client is removed by their security person, the rate is her or his choice and she is in control, she might in theory only have sex once a day, which is less than some married people. Most importantly they do what they enjoy. The fact that not all prostitution is autonomous, and that many are treated like slaves by pimps in factory like conditions is an arguement against 'sexual exploitation' rather than prostitution itself, and is something I agree with you on, its not an arguement against prostitution itself, I only disagree on the methods of preventing 'sexual exploitation'. 

Steve