Whore. Prostitute. Hooker. Strumpet. Harlot. Cocotte. Gigolo. There’s no dearth in terms used to describe a sex-worker. The first-ever usage of the word “prostitute” can be traced back to the 1530s; derived from Latin roots “prōstitūt”; meaning “to offer up for sale”. The term carved its niche as one who sells sex nearing the end of the 17th century, but it couldn’t and probably never will rid itself and its holders of the undertones of shame and dishonour. Language flows and language births. The words that leave our mouths serve as strong indicators of our psyche. Despite this knowledge and the awareness of their stigmatized narrative, why is it that we still use such derogatory and demeaning terms?  

A Brief History   

Prostitution is an occupation whose origins are so blurred with the very advent of civilization that it has even been coined “the world’s oldest profession”. 

The earliest documented mention of prostitution described temple brothels operated by Sumerian priests in the city of Uruk. Glimpses of the prostitution’s past have also been reflected in biblical literature including the Hebrew Bible – Genesis 38:14-26, Book of Joshua, and also the Book of Revelation.  

Sex work was found in every nook of the world including European countries, Japan, India, and the United States. Several temples in India in Khajuraho, Konark, and Bhubaneshwar have breathtaking murals commissioned by the royals; expressing the sensual and materialistic exuberance of bhoga (pleasure) through auspicious erotic alankaras depicting polygamy, concubinage, prostitution, extra-marital relations, etc.  

A Commentary on Dehumanization and Stigmatization of Sex Workers   

Prostitution has been around from the time the concept of money, goods, or services was established; all often bartered for sex. Different cultures have different viewpoints regarding sex work ranging from godly to satanic.  

The Object of Seduction

The bitter truth is that we think of sex workers as people with malfunctioning moral compasses, as promiscuous pieces of meat set on a trap to lure in people to break their marital promises. This could be due to the Victorian set of commandments that sex is a benefit that only married men can avail. The more frustrating accusation is the latter; and truthfully it gives sex workers way too much credit for doing their job far too well. There may be instances of men being enticed by sex-workers, good marketing, and customer service is a part of all our jobs. Blaming sex-workers for their clients’ misgivings and faults without reason is another factor that dehumanizes them.  

Blue Collar versus World

In the hierarchy of social acceptance and occupations, sex-workers occupy the lowest rung. The very connotations of the word “prostitute” fill the atmosphere with suspicion and associations with addiction, abuse, and the harbingers of sexually transmitted diseases. The more professional synonym – sex worker is preferred in the occupation as it instills the sense of a professional service being provided and the reminder that the individual must be treated with dignity. Sex workers are entitled to the same degree of respect and safety that a non-sex worker gets.  

To be an object or not to be?

Anti-prostitution stances convey the undercurrents of patriarchal order and exertion of male dominance resulting in the exploitation of prostitutes. They frown upon prostitution due to its detrimental effect on the sex-worker as well as the society; as the industry glorifies objectification of women, treats them as commodities, and reinforces stereotypical views that women are dispensable sex objects.  

Pro-prostitution stances, on the other hand, support pro-choice movements; standing for the fact the prostitution and other forms of sex work are a valid choice for those who want to engage in it willingly; barring forced prostitution and human sex trafficking. They believe in decriminalizing the sex-worker industry and arming them with supportive measures.  

How to be Human 101

No matter what our views on sex workers are, it’s of absolute importance to remember that they are just as human as we are.   

Here is an excerpt that was taken out of an interview with a former sex worker, highlighting the pressing issues faced by sex workers and how to treat them and humans in general-

Respect for a sex worker’s right to choose to do what they want with their body. 

Respect for the clients and their sexual needs, plus the reasons behind those needs. 

Respect for the bodies and minds of sex workers; for the emotional and physical labour required. 

Respect for the rights of all sex workers and clients to have freedom of expression about their experiences without fear of reprisal or judgement. 

Self-respect for those that choose to offer or use sexual services.”

-Megan Barton Hansan

One of the hardest things to do is to listen to someone’s opinions and accept them despite having polar opposite views. Food for thought?