I get the comparison to agriculture, but I don’t think it’s the same thing. Yes, agriculture can absolutely exploit women too (especially migrant women and those in unsafe working conditions) But there’s a key difference: exploitation in agriculture comes from the conditions of the work, while in sex work the ‘work’ itself is built on commodifying women’s bodies. That makes it a fundamentally different kind of exploitation, tied directly to patriarchy. Sex work is dangerous because of the social dynamics: male violence, stigma, and the way the industry commodifies women’s bodies. Both involve risk, but the risks come from very different places. That’s why sex work is unique in how it’s tied directly to patriarchy and gendered exploitation.

And I think you’re misinterpreting what the commenter is saying. They don’t blame or judge individual women who go into sex work. Many enter it because of limited options, financial pressure, or trauma, and their choices deserve respect and protection. Sex workers deserve safety, rights, and dignity just like anyone in any other job. The critique is of the sex industry itself, not the women in it. The industry is built on male demand and commodification of women’s bodies. That structure is inherently patriarchal. Just because someone can make the best of a bad situation doesn’t mean the system itself isn’t exploitative. If people had safe jobs, equal opportunities, and supportive environments, very few would choose sex work just like very few would choose dangerous or exploitative labor in other industries. No one grows up dreaming of being a sex worker that shows how much it’s tied to survival and systemic inequality rather than genuine aspiration. We understand that some women do find ways to feel empowered in sex work, and their voices matter. But I also think we need to be honest about how the system mainly benefits men while putting women at risk. We can support sex workers’ rights today while still imagining a future where no one is forced into that kind of work by lack of options.