It's a free country. At least so far.: )

Was this work that you wanted at the time? You chose this? I'm trying to understand something else: when you were a dominatrix, you had a hard limit (presumably from your boss/sugar daddy???) that you couldn't have sex with a client even though it would increase your income? That doesn't even make sense. Why would an employer limit earning potential? You didn't ask why?

@crazycurlz, the hard limit was from the dungeon, that would turn the work into prostitution instead of adult play, and the place would be shut down. And yes, I chose it, mostly to supplement my income. I've also done play as a submissive, both in learning and because I'm naturally a switch.

@TaraMarshall good answer... straight up... thanks.

@crazycurlz, oh, and Dominants DO NOT have sugar daddies... or mommies. That's a completely different market. I had clients who would pay for recreational scoldings that involved the physical realm. They wrote their limits, I abided by them. No permanent injury allowed, even if the client claimed to want it.

@TaraMarshall thanks for honest sharing and offering education. All new to me, of course. I'll be back when I have more time to consider what you've shared.

Tara.. just block those two ladies and do away wirh thier abuse.

@BucketlistBob, honest ignorance isn't abuse. The most stupid question is the one you don't ask.

@TaraMarshall ok... lol... I thought that too. Untill they attacked most my friends answers and tried to control the post.

@TaraMarshall Have you ever seen the film "Volere, Volare"?

@ailurophile, I don't really watch many movies. I like documentaries of science and nature, mostly.

It would be if it was legal everywhere and more competitive. But then, like any other business, you would get what you pay for. Just ask any sport franchise owner.

@SassyLady l didn't preface it with anything. Pretty much everything and everyone is a commodity in a Capitalistic society. The only people who should go to jail are people who force other people into the trade. Having said all of that, l still wish it was less expensive.

@SassyLady, as I pointed out, I read your article in Mic. It is not without people who don’t agree. And like I said, the women are no more a commodity than anyone else who competes for your money. Pro sports figures risk life and limb to be the best, to increase their worth, those who are not as dedicated of talented get paid much less. If you are smart and motivated, you move up in a company and get paid accordingly. If you chose to be satisfied just doing your job, your pay will be less. This has nothing to do with women or men, it has to do with getting paid what you are worth for whatever you do. And maybe you can explain to me what these women who chose to work in the sex industry would do? At least if it is legal and regulated they have the possibility of some protection from exploitation. Nothing is perfect and there will be bad bosses in legal brothels just as there are in sewing factories. And there will be illegal prostitutes just as there is illegal drug dealers even where it is legal. But it makes it easier for the majority of people who wish to stay legal to be better taken care of.

@Bairsdad I guess the customer would pay. I’m not sure how these things work. I guess other activities would be negotiated between the two making the exchange?

Wow, this is great! Literary prostitution! LOL! Thanks for sharing.

But, this is precisely the problem with prostitution. It's all about women pleasuring men. It's inherently sexist. I think arca2027 is on the right track...the countries that have legalized sex for sale, give it a job description, professionalize it, make it equal between genders. Arca2027 uses the term 'Sex Worker'. It's an alternative I'd be comfortable with.

@crazycurlz, sex worker encompasses a variety of jobs in the sexual domain, some of which are already legal (at least in many states) and those that are not (prostitution at this time is only legal in Nevada). Strippers, porn actors, even nude models are all considered sex workers. Obviously, with the Stormy Daniels event going on, it has brought sex work out of the proverbial closet. Hopefully it opens the door to more discussion and better representation in the women’s movement and in general to these people.

@SassyLady I am interested. TY!

@Barnie2years when I talk about sex workers, I'm not talking about continental US sex workers. I am referring to more balanced systems that function out of the US that consider both mens and womens needs. We are really screwed up in the US about prostitution

@SassyLady I did a quick review of your article. But, what is YOUR takeaway on this issue? Prostitution is terrible for women, not just for the prostitutes but, by association, ALL women. It appears that legalizing it into something equal, akin to Sex Workers would provide more protections and there still would be abuses. SassyLady, you appear to have some in-depth understanding of the direction this should take in order for people to be safe, men's lude behavior towards women to be demoted and how it can be transformed to a more equitable situation...cause it's clearly not going away. Can you give us a clear understanding of what works, what the best outcomes would be?

@SassyLady, I read the article and it is not cut and dried. While they have achieved some success, the total Swedish socio-economic model, as well as Norway and Denmark, is so different than the US, and even much of Europe, that a comparison of the way it might work outside that kind of environment would be difficult at best. Something to keep in mind: no matter whether it is legal, illegal or they arrest the sex worker or the client, there will always be women willing to sell the use of their bodies and men willing to pay for it. The difference, just like drugs, or alcohol during prohibition, when it’s illegal it opens itself to the worst elements and even worse abuse. Legal isn’t perfect, but with proper support and enforcement, it’s better than nothing.

Force would ideally no longer be a factor if it were legalized. And it would be for male prostitutes, too--don't forget we women have needs just like men do.