Call Girl Ethics, Essay Example

Recently, a close friend of mine has made the decision to pay for her educational expenses by becoming a call-girl.  There are several moral and philosophical aspects to take into consideration when making the decision to become a call-girl.  Furthermore, it is clear that there is an overwhelmingly economic aspect that has apparently outweighed the moral considerations that should have greater weight in the dilemma.  For decades, women have been fighting with men to change the societal stigmas that have objectified and stereotyped women.  Women have always had a subservient position below men, and there are still examples of this today in modern marital and occupational settings that place the woman below man.  It is rare in society that both women and men are viewed and actually treated as equals.  It is important for my friend to understand the arguments of Feminists, Sex Libertarians and finally to examine the sociological and economic factors before making a final decision on entering into this profession.

One of the fundamental arguments against pornography, prostitution or being a “call girl” surrounds the concept of power in a sexual relationship.  For the purpose of this argument, relationship is loosely defined as simply being an encounter between two individuals.  During this encounter, there is an exchange of power taking place.  Feminists declare that women should have the power to determine who, when, where and how the act of sexual intercourse will occur (Chapkis 21).  Many Feminists believe that this type of sexual relationship must “have been created by men” because it objectifies women.  Instead of enabling the sensual or emotional experience that sexual intercourse is often idealized, pornography or prostitution creates an image of the woman as a sexual object that is simply a means to a pleasurable end for the man.  Suddenly, the issue begins to be based on male domination over the submissive female (Chapkis 14).  This fantasy forces men to feel powerful in their sexual encounters by forcing women to submit their machismo and penal bravado.  It is through this sense of domination that the man’s actions can drastically change from what most women consider “love making” to “fucking” which can often lead to rape.  This vulgar term is the best descriptor for this sexual encounter because all emotion and romanticism have been removed and the goal of the entire act is simply for the male to dominate the female.

Furthermore, there is a serious concern regarding the issue of self-worth.  Individuals that engage in such behaviors likely do so without truly valuing their person or their body.  This is a serious problem and leads to the objectification of all women as an entire group.  Jo Doezema described the feelings that many prostitutes have about their work through her experiences as a staff worker with Red Thread.  She states that many prostitutes are emotional wrecks, and through her own admission she found difficulty in her own sexual rendezvous to tell a client that she did not want something (Chapkis 122).  This is an unfortunate reality of the business and call-girls are clearly not exempt.  These women are viewed as sexual objects, and in many cases, there is no way to properly tell a man that you will not do something sexual.  This can be a highly ethical problem that surrounds the woman’s personal view of her own self-worth.  The complexity of the issue surrounds performing the sexual act for money or to please a client as opposed to valuing the woman’s own body.  There are no simple answers to this complex issue and must be left up to the individual too determine what is best; however, it is clear that this line of work will almost inevitably result in such an ethical dilemma.

While the negative philosophical beliefs of being a “call girl” are clear, there is an alternative view that creates a much different understanding of sexuality.  This philosophy is often referred to as sexual libertarianism and attempts to reverse “the image of sex presented in anti-sex feminism” (Chapkis 21).  The goal of this philosophy is to view sex as simply a pleasurable and enjoyable act in which women have control.  These individuals are pleasure-driven and find no ethical dilemmas in their work because they maintain the control during the sexual action.  Furthermore, call girls fall under a specific category described as ‘Sex Radical’ Feminists.  These individuals rely on sex as a positive force that provides them with a source of pleasure and power in society (Chapkis 13).  Sexual libertarianism is often where prostitutes and pornographic actresses gain their justification in performing such acts.  This is not to say that this view is incorrect; however, it may be a way for women to consciously justify their sexual actions without facing the reprehensible immoral consequences that may be due.

Finally, the greatest consideration in this scenario surrounds the economic evaluation of costs versus benefits in regard to making this decision.  On the one hand, the woman will engage in the costs of sexual activity and receive the benefits of paying her way through graduate school without the added costs of student loans.  This factor can be very appealing and may provide a source of future financial freedom.  In addition, many future employers will conduct very thorough background checks on hiring any candidates, especially during such a difficult economy.  Therefore, any morally questionable activities or scars on the background check may reduce the woman’s ability to be hired by valuable companies with strong reputations.  In the end, many women must engage in a comparison of the moral costs versus the economic benefits.

The issue of deciding to enter into an employment occupation as a call girl is a complex issue.  The woman must take into consideration the Feminist, Libertarian, moral and economic aspects while attempting to make the best decision.  However, it is important to restate that there is no right or wrong answer for this issue, and it is completely up to the individual person to make the final decision.  All persons, especially women, must be able to respect themselves and continue to retain a strong sense of self-worth regardless of the situation.  If this situation makes them questions their worth or moral values, then this is by far the greatest sign that becoming a call girl is not the best choice of action.

Works Cited

Chapkis, Wendy. Live Sex Acts: Women Performing Erotic Labor. New York: Routledge, 1997.