Sex work is an activity that involves exchanging labor for money. It is both an art and a craft, requiring skill, knowledge, and discipline to perform well. Sex work has been practiced since ancient times, but it remains controversial today. Many people view it negatively because it challenges traditional gender roles and norms about sexuality and intimacy.
Some scholars argue that studying sex work can help understand how people conceptualize time and make choices about their future.
Time is an essential aspect of all human experiences, including those related to sex work. Scheduling clients requires careful planning and organization, while imagining future possibilities requires creativity and imagination. Sex workers must navigate various demands from clients and personal desires simultaneously. This article explores how sex workers conceptualize time through interviews and secondary research to answer philosophical questions like: What role does time play in sex work? How do sex workers manage their schedules and plan for the future? How does time shape their identities as professionals and individuals? The findings suggest that sex workers may have unique perspectives on temporality that reflect their occupations.
Conceptualizing Time in Sex Work
Conceptualizing time means thinking about its nature, structure, and relationship to other things. In sex work, time plays several crucial roles. First, it shapes daily routines, such as when workers wake up, eat breakfast, or prepare themselves for work. Second, it governs client interactions, with most meetings scheduled at specific hours and durations.
It influences long-term plans for retirement, vacation, or other goals.
Managing Client Interactions
Sex workers often schedule appointments with clients to ensure they are available for work. They may use digital calendars, appointment books, or other tools to track availability and avoid double booking. Some prefer scheduling blocks of time to avoid distractions or fatigue. Others balance competing demands by prioritizing certain clients over others.
A worker might take priority calls before answering requests that don't align with her values or boundaries.
Imagining Future Possibilities
Many sex workers imagine future possibilities beyond their current jobs. They consider retirement strategies, investment opportunities, or educational pursuits. They may also think about how their work affects their personal relationships and social standing. One study found that many sex workers view their occupation as temporary and see exit options as important for maintaining self-esteem. Another suggested that some sex workers seek to redefine their identities through entrepreneurship or activism.
Research is limited on this topic because few scholars have studied the long-term impact of sex work on individuals.
What philosophical questions arise from studying how sex workers conceptualize time—both in terms of scheduling clients and imagining future possibilities?
Philosophers have been fascinated with the nature of time since ancient times, and these inquiries have continued into modernity. Studying sex workers' experiences provides an opportunity to explore temporalities that are unique within society. As with any profession, sex workers must manage their working hours according to client availability, often on short notice. This can create challenges for long-term planning, as they may not know what work will be available in the future.