The existence of prostitution puzzles me, because it looks like a dysfunction of human sexuality in agricultural societies.
Prostitution might not even be a uniquely human phenomenon.
There’s also a question of what, exactly defines prostitution. It’s straightforward enough when it’s a one-time transaction, but what to make of a relationship where one party provides regular sex in exchange for food and a place to stay (a paleo sugar daddy)?
but what to make of a relationship where one party provides regular sex in exchange for food and a place to stay
Sounds like one idea of traditional marriage. The woman promises to provide sex and the man promises to provide. Some feminists (e.g. Germaine Greer) have described this arrangement as prostitution.
Sounds like one idea of traditional marriage. The woman promises to provide sex and the man promises to provide.
I think this view of “traditional marriage” comes from fetishizing the 1950s, Leave-it-to-Beaver nuclear family. Go back a bit further and you’ll find the aristocrats marrying for political reasons while a peasant’s household required everyone to work long hours each day.
No, what you described is a trophy wife, a way for a man to signal his wealth by having a wife who can spend her days being idle.
Prostitution might not even be a uniquely human phenomenon.
There’s also a question of what, exactly defines prostitution. It’s straightforward enough when it’s a one-time transaction, but what to make of a relationship where one party provides regular sex in exchange for food and a place to stay (a paleo sugar daddy)?
Sounds like one idea of traditional marriage. The woman promises to provide sex and the man promises to provide. Some feminists (e.g. Germaine Greer) have described this arrangement as prostitution.
I think this view of “traditional marriage” comes from fetishizing the 1950s, Leave-it-to-Beaver nuclear family. Go back a bit further and you’ll find the aristocrats marrying for political reasons while a peasant’s household required everyone to work long hours each day.
No, what you described is a trophy wife, a way for a man to signal his wealth by having a wife who can spend her days being idle.