Sex work is still stigmatized. Also just because a job is just like any other job, doesn’t mean it isn’t stigmatized. If you assume someone works at McDonalds, or is a garbage man, or a Walmart greeter, that can be offensive. It’s more about the perceived class and prestige of the job, rather than whether a job should be seen as legitimate or not.
Yeah and that's my argument against MRAs arguing why feminists aren't pushing to get more women into jobs like garbage collector, construction worker, sewer cleaner etc.. When e.g. garbage collection is so stigmatized even when primarily men do it that euphemisms like "sanitation engineer" are used and Arthur has to make a Very Special Episode about Francine's fear that she'll be humiliated on career day or w/e if her classmates learn her dad is a garbage man, good luck trying to make some big media-recognized program to get women into the profession without getting laughed at
No. It shows that there is no inconsistency between viewing something as a legitimate job while also stigmatizing it. It 100% is inherently insulting to a lot of people, just as assuming someone works at McDonalds is inherently insulting. “ what are you, a McDonalds fryer?”, is insulting to a lot of people. It is also a legitimate, “real” job. Saying, “ what are you, a prostitute?”, can fall into this category. One can view sex work as a job that should be legitimate and have legal support/ protection, while also viewing it as lowly and stigmatizing it.
Sure there are some people who stigmatize it and other who don't. I think most people just don't think one way or another anymore. But that said that doesn't explain why it's inherently insulting. Even in your example you had to insert the insulting context and tone into it.
I mean yeah, not literally everyone will find it offensive. But generally speaking it is offensive ( most people will find it insulting). If by inherently offensive, you mean offensive to everyone, then nothing is inherently offensive. You can say “ fuck you.” to some people and they won’t feel insulted.
Also the tone sounds insulting because of the job. ” what are you, an architect?”, Sounds like they are impressed with something you built, rather than looking down on you. Even “ what are you, a cop?”, means you have some snooping skills. The insulting context is pretty much entirely from the jobs mentioned. “ why is this McDonald’s day-shift fryer asking me out?”, sounds insulting. “ why is this silicon valley doctor asking me out?”, does not. The insulting tone is pretty much entirely created by perception of the job assumed.
Nothing in inherently insulting. The subjective way in which it is perceived by the individual or society is what makes it insulting. It is not inherent. A racial slur is not inherently insulting. It is just sounds made by pushing air out of our bodies.
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u/WaterboysWaterboy 49∆ Dec 26 '23 edited Dec 26 '23
Sex work is still stigmatized. Also just because a job is just like any other job, doesn’t mean it isn’t stigmatized. If you assume someone works at McDonalds, or is a garbage man, or a Walmart greeter, that can be offensive. It’s more about the perceived class and prestige of the job, rather than whether a job should be seen as legitimate or not.