It seems like recentely I've been seeing a lot of images of women working in various sexual jobs in the media. Natalie Portman's character in the movie Closer is a stripper, Brenda's friend on Six Feet Under, the madame on CSI who Gil fancies, etc. In all of these portrayals the women are very powerful. Do TV/movies glorify the industry? Are people who do these jobs in real life really these powerful women doing the job for their own pleasure or are they doing the job because it's their last resort? Would you/have you ever been a stripper, been paid for sex, etc?

On a seperate tangent what about sex appeal in ordinary life. Does power come from the sex/sex appeal? In general do sexually attractive women have power in day to day life? In business? Where is the line for using sex appeal as power?

Please share your thoughts.

I think that women can use their sexuality to make themselves more powerful. I also think that sexuality is not necessarily linked to attractiveness. I've seen some women who could be described as plain who are completely in touch with their sexuality and have their pick of men.

I think you can use your sexuality to gain power but it can be a tricky proposition and, in the end, I don't know that it's very fulfilling since it's all about control. Using it in the workplace especially can be a minefield. I'm not even talking about trading sexual favors for advancement, just using your sexuality to manipulate. I don't really have a problem with the latter since I think men use their own special brand of charm to get ahead. However, there can be a build-up of resentment attached to a woman using her sexuality to get ahead that is not attached to a man who might use his boyish charm to advance.

In a personal life, manipulation is never good so I would say it's a mistake to use your sexuality to gain power in a relationship. However, I do think that if you are comfortable with your sexuality, you will have a much easier time attracting the sort of person you want.

As for sex workers being happy and powerful in their jobs, I think it's typical Hollywood bullshit. I do believe such women exist, however, I don't believe they exist in the numbers that Hollywood would have us believe. Given the statistics as to why women enter these areas, I would say most of these women are unhappy and victims.

Yeah, I'm with you. I don't have any moral qualms about prostitution etc., but I think as implemented they're Not Good and women generally end up in sex work because of a lack of choices.

Me three. I imagine there may be strippers who are happy with their work and glad to make a relatively large amount of money. But I don't think such a thing really exists among prostitutes.

Very strange, actually. The boy and I were just discussing prostitution and the question of whether anyone actually does it willingly.

Anyhow, pretty much how I think, as well. Which is why I'm totally for legalizing prostitution. Although I personally have no clue what the stats are when it comes to this industry's 'job satisfaction', I know that I'd hate to do it, myself. But, then again, I've also never felt comfortable with casual sex (this is just for me. I don't care what others do with sex, as long as they're happy and everything's consensual).

But I digress. What I'd like to see with legalization is an environment with actual regulations, recourse and, most importantly, the ability to quit whenever the hell you want. Won't stop it from being populated by people who believe it's their only choice (just like doing IT support for a laughable company that pays you chicken feed and makes cleaning washrooms seem like it could maybe be a step up for you, morale-wise. Ahem.), but at least you have a greater amount of safety and options.

As for the stripper thing, as long as you're in a reputable club and the management and bouncers care about your well-being, hell. If I had the body for it (the six-pack: my own, personal Holy Grail), not to mention a less spazzy dance-style, I'd probably do it, too. Unless the rumours that it pays dammmn well are false, natch. Heh.

When it comes to using sex appeal in personal matters, I've never intentionally used my 'charms' to get something, figuring I'm not really the type that could pull it off. However, if I realize that a waiter, for example, seems to be flirting and finds me appealing, I'll go with it, being careful not to cross any lines, natch. I've always found flirting fun and if someone wants to be extra nice to me, without expecting something in return besides acceptable and genuine gratitude (that's where it can get tricky, of course), I'll play along if all it involves is ironic/amusing innuendo and smiles.

In a somewhat related matter (eh... not really...), after one of our always enjoyable, completely random discussions, Furie and I got to wondering what the deal is, legally, with fluffers (Ok. It was just me.). Turns out the porn industry is barely regulated, which, duh. Can't believe I even bothered with the brief research.