The Value Of Sex Workers In Sex Work

Wouldn’t it be just fabulous if we all grew up knowing, well, everything? Yes, yes, there are many valuable lessons to be learned through experiences and trial and error in life. Some will say these experiences are what shapes our personalities into the people what we become.

But wouldn’t it be so much easier if we just knew what we were doing, didn’t make mistakes, didn’t hurt ourselves and other people? Then we could just go about our lives in the way we really want....

Okay, no, I don’t really think this is an ideal state. I am glad for the diverse, weird, thrilling and sometimes bizarre twists and turns my life has taken. I like learning, and, ultimately, I think everybody does. Maybe not in the school sense, maybe not with text books. Maybe not with a teacher at the front of the room doling out algebra lessons and harsh life lessons all at the same time.

Or...wait...maybe some of us would love learning just like that. Particularly if the teacher incorporated some leather into their outfit and threatened to spank us if we get the lesson wrong.

New types of sex ed

While this may be a fantasy scenario for some, it can be both a literal and figurative situation. We are lucky that we have many different venues available for our sexual education. Sex educators, the internet, books and more can now help us learn more and more about sex. But there is another group who could be just as valuable to teaching the ins and outs and all abouts of erotic education: sex workers.

These tips from a professional dominatrix are just the tip of the iceberg of what sex workers can provide in terms of sexual education. And really, it makes perfect sense! Who better to share and teach than practitioners of a specific trade? Who better to help you understand the connections between actions—physical, psychological and emotional—than those who are paid to make those connections?

Sex workers as educators?

I can imagine there are some folks who will scoff at the idea of sex workers being able to provide positive sex education and instruction. Many people still think of sex workers in a very negative light. They are considered dirty, likely drug addicts and probably abuse victims who are victims of human trafficking. You know all of the old stereotypes about ‘hookers,’ ‘streetwalkers,’ ‘gigolos,’ and ‘whores.” And while these characterizations might describe some sex workers, it does not describe all. Or even a majority.

Instead, sex workers are people we encounter every day in our lives. We may not know it, but we do. They are people filled with a very specific type of knowledge. Through a very particular lens, sex workers learn so much from the people with whom they work. It would be all well and good to hope the people maintain open and honest conversations about what types of sex they are curious about and want to explore. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of silence out there among couples.

A sex worker who specializes in their interest could fill in the gaps.