Freakonomics on Prostitution

[Fuggum]

Freakonomics dude Sudhir Venkatesh answers questions regarding prostitution on the Freakonomics blog, here.

[ElisabethWhispers]

I sincerely appreciate you starting this topic. I'm thinking of very naughty ways of thanking you for presenting it!

I hadn't heard of Venkatesh until I bought his book "Gang Leader For A Day" a few months back. It's an interesting study of how he became associated with a gang in Chicago and learned the habits, etc. He's a sociologist with an interesting pedigree and now is a professor at some well-known university. I believe it's Columbia but I'm not sure.

I got the book for all of the wrong reasons, though. He's on the cover and I thought he was cute in this Deepok Chopra type of way. Plus the subject matter seemed very harsh and I thought that would be interesting. He has a little bit of hubris but he has earned that right, I think.

Back to the article. I found "most" of what he stated to be true but there are exceptions. There actually are associations, mostly non-profit, that are helping to promote sex workers and also provide assistance and help. A couple of them are Bound but not Gagged and the Desiree Alliance. There are more.

The Desiree Alliance hosts an annual conference that is just for sex workers and those involved in the sex industry. This year it will be held in Las Vegas in July. I'll be there. The website is desireealliance.org If you wish to volunteer or present papers there, it's an opportunity.

So on that point, he's incorrect.

Although I associate with ladies who probably don't fall into the regular category of what an escort is in this social climate, what he states about economic disadvantages of the individual seems right on mark. Although computer and keyboarding classes are being taught in public schools often these short courses aren't enough to "take" to the average student.

Combine that with the broken home factor or emotional issues that many ladies have (it's a stereotype that I despise but it's there because there is truth to it) and the need to belong ... well it opens up a Pandora's Box of ugliness that these boys and girls (men and women) on the streets have. With the economy so pathetic, I only see the situation worsening.

I have some knowledge of young people who have had felonies, etc., just from acting stupid while 18, 19 or so. They feel trapped by societal norms and are wanting a way out. Easy money. But easy money isn't easy.

Hell, I know that.

But, and this is the rub, if you're making the money these people are making by being in prostitution, and they're getting used to the funds then it is damn hard to go to the local Walmart and be a lackey for $8.25 an hour.

When I was laid off and started "this", I have been offered several positions including one about four months ago. They had a good name associated with them and insurance, but couldn't afford me the living that I'm making now.

Alright, I'm on a bit of a tangent. Again, I sincerely appreciate the topic and it's so relevant right now to us all.

We will NEVER have social acceptance within this little sphere of ours. I mentioned that while meeting with some committee members of the Desiree Alliance recently. But as Jimmy Stewart said in the film "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington", paraphrased, "The only things worth fighting for are the things that you cannot hope to win".

I agree. And actually having these associations and attempting to help ladies either be safer and promote social awareness that sex work is alright is just dumbfounding to me on so many levels. Basically, the people who can and would benefit the most are the ones (like mentioned above) that don't have the resources or the immediate desire to change. Or they don't know how to do it. It's a mental trap.

Just a few rambling thoughts on a cold Friday morn.

Elisabeth

[ElisabethWhispers]

Oh, on Venkatesh's last point. I don't believe that the demand of "prostitution" has declined as a result of the relative acceptance and loosening of certain mores. I sincerely do not. Certainly, that openness (or perception of it) has caused an absolute glut of ladies wishing to hang their escort shingles outside the office door. Perhaps someone who knows Smith's theory of supply and demand could help us here?

I would imagine that men in the 50's had less opportunity to see escorts than the men of today and wouldn't it be easier with the invent of the internet to "find" such ladies?

I think that the last two questions and answers of the interview would be a good discussion as well.

Elisabeth