When you use or hear the term "sex worker," what first comes to mind?

"Is this an ideal job for my family or friends?"

When you use or hear the term "sex worker," what first comes to mind?

Do you think: "Is this an ideal job for my family or friends to do?"

When you consider changing careers or looking for a job, would escorting or OnlyFans be at the top of your list?

I highly doubt the answer to both questions is no. After all:

How many jobs require drugs or alcohol just to perform your duties?

The answer is: none.

People casually use the term "sex work" as a "job option" for immigrants or addicts, without ever seriously considering whether it would be suitable for their own family members.

Have you ever wondered: if prostitution is really just a job, why does the law require you to be 18 to do it? In many industries, high school or college students can legally work at age 15—yet prostitution requires 18.

I don't consider it a job; but even if it is considered one, does that mean the bedroom becomes the workplace, and the bed becomes the workstation?

In this world, for any man or woman, how can a bedroom be a workplace? How can a bed be a workstation?

I don't consider it a job; but if it is defined as a job, then men become "customers" and sex workers become "products."

When a person is treated as a product, they become a commodity that can be bought and sold—and this view is often justified by the saying:

"Prostitution is the world's oldest profession."

However, international speaker and survivor leader Rachel Moran has a very different perspective. Her debut book summarized the essence of prostitution in just two words:

"Paid Rape."

Movies like "Hustlers" and platforms like OnlyFans glamorize and package an industry that has been hidden behind closed doors for generations, shrouded in shame, secrecy, and stigma.

The truth is, if prostitution were a legitimate profession, it would be publicly introduced and promoted at university or high school career days. But the reality is, no one has ever advocated for prostitution as a career—no presentations, no workshops, no encouragement. It has always been dismissed, never seen as a worthy vocation for ambitious young people.

The Reality Behind Legalization

The debate over prostitution legalization never ends. The supposed "benefits" are repeatedly raised because society does not truly understand the reality of "sex for money."

What cannot be ignored is that many so-called "customers" seek sex with minors—which is itself a crime.

Another major problem with legalization is that it often leads to increased human trafficking and makes it harder for victims to recognize their situation. When an "industry" itself does not acknowledge that its practices violate a person's body and human rights, how can victims see themselves as victims?

We can even go further: how can prostitution possibly be made "safe"?

Panic buttons are not the answer. Even if every brothel is required to have them, by the time the button is pressed, the sexual assault has already occurred.

Furthermore, many people do not realize that prostitution often serves as a "training ground" for certain men—who seek not sexual satisfaction, but power, control, and domination over another person.

In fact, there are documented cases of men who purchased sex, then subjected sex workers to violence and physical harm, and were later found to have committed rape or even murder of strangers.

Social Stigma and Public Perception

If prostitution were legalized, a major challenge would be that most sex workers do not want to be publicly associated with the industry—because shame and stigma still exist.

Moreover, once they leave the industry, they often fear that their past will follow them, preventing them from starting over.

Exchanging sex for money when there is no other option is not a real "choice." Relying on drugs or alcohol to enter a dissociative state before, during, or after the transaction is not free will.

Sex can indeed be sold, but the cost includes social exclusion—no one wants prostitution on their doorstep. It is seen as "beneath" them, which is why people avoid making eye contact with sex workers.

Men and women in the sex industry are first and foremost human beings; yet they are often criminalized, judged, and ignored, rather than being treated with basic dignity and respect.

Global Patterns and Exploitation

Studies show that in the US, up to 90% of sex workers experienced childhood sexual abuse. This statistic suggests they did not choose sex work—sex work chose them.

In places like the Philippines, many enter the sex industry due to economic pressure, because the income far exceeds what they could earn in restaurants or customer service.

It is well known that many Western men, sometimes called "passport bros," travel to Latin America, Asia, or Eastern Europe for sex tourism, targeting both adults and children—and some later marry local women.

Deliberately seeking "submissive wives" from developing countries creates an inherently unequal marriage—wealthy Western men enter the lives of impoverished women under the guise of "rescue."

I have personally visited red-light districts in the Philippines and Cambodia and spoken with some men there. They tried to convince me that having sex with sex workers was "helping them." I completely disagree. Real help is providing support without exchanging sex, without conditions.

"Help" should not come with STDs, unwanted pregnancies, and long-term psychological, physical, and emotional trauma.

Facing Reality

Those who most loudly advocate for prostitution legalization are often those who know nothing about the industry. They ignore the deep connections between childhood sexual trauma, vulnerability, human trafficking, and black-market crime.

True understanding does not come from books, Netflix documentaries, or interrogating sex workers—it comes from long hours of observation, building trust, creating safe spaces, and listening to their real-life stories.

I have heard descriptions of "occupational hazards"—customers refusing to wear condoms, ignoring rules, disrespecting boundaries; some skip out on payment, assault, beat, and even kill when they discover the person is transgender.

Exchanging sex for money is not an empowering feminist act—it is exploitation and paid sexual violence. It is not a first choice, but a last resort.

After reading all of the above, if you still believe prostitution is a job, then ask yourself one question:

"Why don't you do it?"