Student Prostitution: Professor Defends Sex Work Is No Different Than Bar Job To Fund College Education

A university professor is speaking up for student prostitution by defending that the job is not much different from working at a bar to pay for college. She is calling on universities to be more accepting, instead of impugning those who engage in such activities.

Professor Tracey Sagar from Swansea University revealed the findings of her study with Debbie Jones at the Cheltenham Science Festival. The Student Sex Work Project underscored that at least 5 percent of students going to college are into student prostitution, while at least 22 percent have considered becoming sex workers. The high cost of college was cited as the main reason for their choice.

The experts surveyed 6,750 students in a 3-year research and found out that it's the male students who engage in sex work and student prostitution more than the female students. These include jobs like dancing, stripping or becoming part of porn films. It also includes online or phone sex, but mostly for female students, per Telegraph.

Dr. Tracey Sagar, Associate Professor or Criminology at Swansea University now taking the floor. Presenting summary if findings. #SWRWales

— StudentSexWorkProj. (@TSSWP) June 6, 2014

Tracey Sagar stated student prostitution shouldn't be a big deal among schools especially if the people involved are not being physically harmed at "work." When schools find out a student is a sex worker, he or she is usually sanctioned with a disciplinary action. The professor believes that this is the wrong approach since it perpetuates the stigma against sex workers.

Tracey Sagar further clarified that if the students are being exploited at work, to the point that their life or school work suffers, then that's when it should become an issue for the school. But student prostitution shouldn't be an issue if this is needed to pay off college fees. "What's the difference between doing [sexually explicit acts] on a webcam and working in a bar?" she asked, per Daily Mail.

However, those in attendance at the conference have an opposing point of view.  One parent said that the professor's statements were "irresponsible and stupid," per Express. Margaret Morrissey cited that student prostitution could lead to other issues such as depression and blackmail. It could also affect a young person's future.

What's your take on student prostitution? Would you want schools to crackdown on this or be more accepting of it? Let us know in the comments!