this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2025
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My original comment is from a rational point of view as 1. We live in a Patriarchal world regardless of what we want things to be. Having progressive individuals rise through the system is our only path forward because... 2. We are unwilling to "throw the baby out with the bath water." so the Patriarchy is here to stay for a very very long time. Me suggesting that more progressive individuals consider other options to protect themselves from what the Patriarchy has in store for them regardless of their motivations for becoming an OF model; isn't shaming!!! It's the funcking truth!
Yes, I do believe uneducated (because poor area schools are little better than daycare despite all the hard work and love put in by those schools' teachers and staff) individuals are unable to identify the true causes of the pain in their lives, so individuals who have more options that choose OF are less impacted by external factors. And yes I believe many enter as a way to make ends meet and not thinking they are going to be the next viral Model. So either they are delusional/unaware/see no other option. I don't see these people as egotistical, dumb, or naive to the impact being an OF model can and likely will have on their prospects within our current society. So then why is it a growing profession? Why does one demographic of individuals get pulled into that line of work over others? Do more come from poor or rich backgrounds? Are more women or men choosing that as a career? Are the customers of such content more Progressive or Conservative? The answer to all those questions leads one to believe OF isn't just this harmless activity that's empowering individuals. It's in service to and ultimately a way to oppress the vast majority of its content creators. (Sounds a lot like capitalism)
Finally, Im continously amazed how anyone can think we can save aspects of our current systems. Any return to "normalcy" is a slap to those who suffered under what others perceived as functional or equitable. Marginalized communities deserve better. I don't have all the answers but Capitalism, Communism or whatever we had in the past left more people to suffer so fewer and fewer people could have more. The clock is one minute from midnight. Not trying to be an alarmist but damn is this the best we can muster? (as a collective, humanity is really sad right now)
To your first and last point, I ask you this: do you believe the Patriarchal world we live in today is the same as the Patriarchal world from 100 years ago? 50 years ago? Even 25 years ago. I don't believe so and that is due to the incremental progress we made.
Could it be better if we just tore it all down and installed some new system we don't know about yet and have not agreed upon? Maybe. And it could also be much much worse. We have no way of knowing so while you are concerned about the end being near, you also correctly surmised there is no better known solution.
And you realize this is not what the study is showing right? The study says that the teenagers have a "sophisticated" understanding of how OF works.
I mentioned this already but this does not square with your understanding that OF for most people do not pay enough to make ends meet. You can't say there is a sizable number if OF models making a living and also acknowledge that point the top .5% or so actually make real money from the platform.
So for the vast majority of OF models, they would try it, find out it does not work for them, and exit. Their identity is mostly drowned out by the sheer numbers that exist. Is there still possible societal consequences should they get outed? Yes. BUT i argue that is more reason to change societal views through acceptance rather than promote existing Patriarchal standards in stopping them.
You ask a lot of questions regarding the data you neither have nor can correlate to "oppression". You're kind of just throwing it out there and saying it is.
One last point - the article says (emphasis by me)
So the teens think it's a viable economic plan for those who already were but planning to pursue traditional education or employment.
While it would obviously be better if those who are in this nontraditional bucket had even more options, i would prefer not to limit them more than they are already limited.
(Humanity has had some pretty low points recently but that was definitely after some highs. And as much as we would like it to be a straight shot up to utopia progress is generally more bumpy than that and it's what makes achievements more satisfying. People probably felt the end of the world during WW2 but look how many highs came after)
Our arguments are based on prospective. I feel gradual change is only relevant when time isn't a problem. I believe to save current individual from such objectively and current harmful behavior, rather justified or not requires more immediate action via the uprooting of said systems of oppression. My vote isn't going to save a OF model from today from a lifetime of unjustified hardship. Newsom/Stewart/Mamdani/AOC isn't either if they our next president. Nor is any small step by step progress going to save a 12 year old that joins the profession when they come of age. Are they not worth of saving? If yes, we need far more than passive approach. What comes next could be worse. I have more faith in you, my neighbors, and my self that we can take the better path. The environment can't wait for us to maybe hopefully not elect a literal pedophile, rapist, conman to the most powerful position on earth. Current and future workers including sex workers can't wait to see if those with power and money will finally give a shit. The children of today can't wait to see if our next step in the right direction emancipates them from a life of pointless hardship when we have very real, very tangible solutions right here right now... but we have time right? Maybe the next leader won't be corrupted by the money and power?
Edit: so my advice to go after more current more socially additive work isn't anything but practical. Because we live in a world of small change. And the society of today isn't ready. Maybe if we had more teachers and schools that are fully supported by society OF models can express themselves without worrying about any external pressure because society is educated on more things than just surviving...
While your objectives are admirable, I can't say I agree with the mindset.
You keep using that term that you're "saving" these people. But what you're really doing is trying to control these individuals by removing their options and removing their agency. You just don't believe they can make their own choices or that their choice is ever really their own. Teenagers who already have a solid grasp of what OF is, then has up to 6 extra years or more of exposure and experience to the content creation sphere and then decide it is what they want to try? I'm not overly concerned about that.
We don't have the "time" to save these individuals of today, but most of them don't need your saving. Realistically you are talking about the subset of these individuals that are being exploited or forced into this against their will. But there is no magic button to exterminate exploitation completely. (Not saying people should not try) We are better served shaping the world in a way where those who choose to go into nontraditional work are not stigmatized or facing social consequences.
No one is suggesting a passive approach to fixing society. Getting involved locally. Voting. Protesting. These things are not passive. And yes we do have time. Who knows this conversation could agree very badly for one of us but history has shown life does on. Society does tend to grow more progressively even if growth is slow. But you know what? Growth and progress, by and large is not measured by the number of OF models we're "saving".