Women and Prostitution

I wrote the following in February, 2007 on tribe.net (decriminalize prostitution tribe). As an auxialliary member of the Erotic Services Providers Union in San Francisco, I think societies demonization of sex work is scandelous.

"Quite frankly, I believe that sex is a taboo, not because men are offended by it (quite the contrary), but that women view sex (either intellectually or instinctively) as their one power, and it is cheapened if it is easy to attain. Like an economists ramblings, supply and demand. If there is over supply, then the price goes down. Although religion is often sold as a paternalistic, patriarchal societal vehicle, I personally believe that quite the opposite is true. It suppresses the behaviors one associates with men, i.e. promiscuity (Don't covet they neighbors wife; the restrictions on divorce as stated by Jesus in the Gospels..yadda yadda) and serves a constituency that does not favor promiscuity, and values stable relationships. Religion suppresses sexuality (the Jewish faith not so much though). The suppression of sexuality is based on female, not male ethos. This is why prostitution is so reviled by many women (obviously not the prostitutes). It is a threat to women’s sexual power. This is why you see a disproportionate number of prostitutes that are lesbians. They don't give a fuck about sexual power of men.

I don't believe that sex is a woman's only power. But I believe that women believe it is their fundamental power, until they reach middle age anyway. Women's real power comes from their ability to define accepted morality, communicate and advocate the same, and bring into the fold the few powerful men in society to enforce that view. The queen bee and wannabe behaviors are also instrumental. The ostracism of people for behaviors not deemed acceptable (like prostitution which is vilified well beyond its importance). My view is that religion is a mechanism for gaining conformity from those people who are the most powerful and dangerous in society, that is young men. The genius of religion is selling it as a patriarchal vehicle, when in fact it is just the opposite. It is actually an abdication of responsibility...by placing responsibility on those people who administer the religion, but are not necessarily responsible for its tenets. It is powerful men that administer Christianity, yet they are denied the benefits of power found in avenues of power expression (warriors), in that power is an aphrodisiac...but the benefits of this are necessarily denied in a Christian setting.

(Updated 7/15/2008)