Commercial sex

Fred47   Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:26 am GMT
"forcing them into commercial sex acts"

What's the difference between 'commercial sex acts' and prostitution?
Robni Michael   Sat Apr 18, 2009 2:06 pm GMT
There is no difference.
Fred47   Sat Apr 18, 2009 3:04 pm GMT
There has to be a difference. Why did they not write 'prostitution' instead?
Nyassa   Sat Apr 18, 2009 4:13 pm GMT
''Hot line'' is a commercial sex line, but it's not prostitution because it's only phone sex ;)
Robin Michael   Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:03 pm GMT
There has to be a difference. Why did they not write 'prostitution' instead?


One of the attractions of English as a language is that there are many words which mean essentially the same thing. By using similar words to mean slightly different things, it is possible to tease out distinctions.

I accept there is a distinction between 'physical sex' and 'cyber sex' (video, radio, telephone, etc etc). There was a time not so long ago that people particularly women, would be very careful about using words such as 'prostitution', so they would describe someone as a 'loose woman' instead, which virtually included all single women.

I will not go into the morality of phone sex.
Fred47   Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:21 pm GMT
You're saying that 'prostitution' is a bad word, and has to be replaced with euphemisms in polite conversation?
georg   Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:52 pm GMT
Though 'prostitution' in itself is not a bad word, it is a loaded word that carries negative connotations, whereas 'commercial sex' is a neutral term that supposedly passes no judgment on those engaged in that 'industry'. This is why you see 'commercial sex' used a lot in news reporting, statistical research, and governmental studies.

from wikipedia article on prostitution:

"Those seeking to remove the social stigma associated with prostitution often promote terminology such as commercial sex worker (CSW) or sex trade worker."
Fred47   Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:15 pm GMT
It makes sense now, thank you.
nimble   Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:27 pm GMT
<<"forcing them into commercial sex acts"

What's the difference between 'commercial sex acts' and prostitution? >>


"commercial sex acts" is entirely vague whereas "prostitution" is exact. "commercial sex act" could be anything, phone sex, dancing naked, having sex on stage, etc. "prostitution" is just paying someone for sex.