[trigger warning - discusses sexual abuse] Sex workers need to be protected from abuse, unsafe work practices, etc through legal frameworks. Sex work must be fully legalised and given the same rights that are given to other forms of work.

But, as a society, I think it's too far to go on to encourage sex work. It's one thing to protect a trade, it's another to encourage it. A litmus test - imagine if you're a parent, or an uncle or an aunt. Would you go to your child or your niece/nephew to set up an OnlyFans account or sign up for work at a brothel?

Sex isn't the same as offering a massage. Sex is a highly intimate act and that's also why it can be highly traumatizing. Being touched without consent on one's legs or arms is one thing - it's another to be sexually penetrated or otherwise, it's called sexual assault. Survivors of sexual assault are treated with special care for a reason.

Hence, we can't trivialise the act of sex too much. There are those that are relatively emotionally healthy that seek out sex work (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jixgtCV1Jk) but we also have many that seek out the work because they were looking for any kind of validation because of how hurt they were (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aReXM_aowZc).

Because it's filled with so much nuance with a potential for negative psychological and physical effects, wouldn't it be wiser to err on the side of caution and while protecting the trade, not outright encourage it?

The sex trade can be compared with the junk food industry. Why sex can be better with one's romantic partner is due to the emotional bond with that person. Often, when we seek sex outside of a relationship, it's to get this quick release, like junk food. Junk food can taste great at times, but ultimately, it's not great for us. The junk food trade should be protected kinda, to ensure that the food is relatively safe to eat and won't cause food poisoning. But should we encourage the consumption of junk food to our children and other young people around us?

FIGHT ME