sex work
sex work — noun
1. The activity of offering sexual services or physical closeness in return for pay
The activity of offering sexual services or physical closeness in return for payment, whether viewed as an individual's job or as a broader social, legal, or political issue.
After losing her factory job, Trang turned to sex work to support her two children.
collocation: turned to sex work
The documentary interviewed people doing sex work in several Southeast Asian countries.
collocation: doing sex work
Rohan's research examines the health and safety conditions of sex work in urban areas.
Many activists argue that sex work should be recognized as legitimate labor.
Léa volunteers at a legal advice center for people involved in sex work.
The government's official report on sex work recommended decriminalization.
Public discussions about sex work often focus on questions of consent and exploitation.
Faisal attended a conference where activists spoke about sex work and human rights.
People in the industry created the term 'sex work' for a more respectful label.
Laws about sex work vary widely from one country to another.
- prostitution
Older, more stigmatized term; now often avoided in formal or respectful contexts.
- commercial sex
More clinical; common in public health literature.
- the sex trade
Emphasizes the commercial aspect; can imply exploitation.
- the sex industry
Broader term that includes all commercial sexual services, such as pornography and phone sex.
- commercial sex work
Used in academic literature to distinguish from informal or non-commercial exchanges.
文法句型
sex work + verb (is/remains/becomes)
do/in/engage in sex work
sex work + be + discussed/regulated/viewed
discussions/reports about/on sex work
用法筆記
This is the preferred term in academic, policy, and human rights contexts because it emphasizes the labor aspect and avoids the stigma associated with older terms like 'prostitution'. Also used to refer to the industry or phenomenon as a social, legal, or political concern (e.g., 'discussions about sex work', 'the issue of sex work'). Always use with sensitivity.