Does OnlyFans empower or exploit women? | Catherine Hakim, Minna Salami, Farha Khalidi

Episode Overview

• This discussion, hosted by the Institute of Art and Ideas, explores the contentious rise of digital sex work platforms like OnlyFans and what they reveal about modern gender dynamics, power, and economics.
• The panel features diverse perspectives, including sociologist Catherine Hakim, journalist Minna Salami, and writer/OnlyFans creator Farha Khalidi, who debate whether the monetization of erotic capital represents female empowerment or a regression into objectification.
• The conversation moves from analyzing the male fear of female erotic power to debating the economic realities of sex work versus traditional careers, ultimately questioning if "choice" within a patriarchal system can ever be truly free.

Key Concepts

• Erotic Capital as an Economic Asset: Catherine Hakim argues that "erotic capital" (beauty, sex appeal, charm) is a valuable asset that has historically been belittled or demanded for free by men. Platforms like OnlyFans allow women to finally monetize this asset directly, shifting power dynamics. The backlash against these platforms often stems from men resenting having to pay for access that they feel entitled to receive without cost.

• Financial Envy and the Shift in Control: Farha Khalidi suggests that much of the moral panic surrounding OnlyFans is actually rooted in financial envy. Men were often supportive of sex work when it was stigmatized or low-paying, viewing it with levity. However, once women began earning significant wealth (six or seven figures) and gaining financial independence through digital platforms, the narrative shifted to moral decay and the "fall of the West."

• The Complexity of "Choice" in Patriarchy: Minna Salami challenges the binary of empowerment versus exploitation by introducing a "choice feminist" critique. She argues that while individual women may choose sex work, these choices occur within a patriarchal framework that still prioritizes male desire. true liberation requires questioning the institutions themselves (like sex work and marriage) rather than just accepting individual participation in them as inherently feminist acts.

• The Changing Landscape of Entry-Level Economics: The panel discusses how economic stagnation for young people drives the shift toward sex work. With traditional entry-level jobs paying poorly, digital sex work offers a potentially lucrative alternative for college students and young professionals. This economic reality complicates the moral arguments, as financial survival and advancement become primary motivators over political statements.

Quotes

• At 2:58 - "There is this one extra talent that has been humiliated and belittled by men because they don't want to pay for it. They want it to come free for men... men are afraid of erotic power so long as it's women's erotic power." - Highlighting the economic tension at the heart of the gender wars regarding sex work.
• At 6:33 - "As soon as women started turning like seven figures off of OnlyFans... now men have this victim mindset, now they're talking about the erosion of the social fabric and how it's like the fall of the West." - Explaining the correlation between female financial success and male moral outrage.
• At 16:30 - "In the same way that feminists have been questioning the marriage institution, we should also be questioning the sex work institution." - clarifying that criticizing the structure of sex work does not require criticizing the workers, parallel to how feminists critique marriage without attacking brides.

Takeaways

• Reframe moral panic as economic anxiety: When encountering cultural backlash against women's new income streams, look for the underlying economic power shift rather than accepting surface-level moral arguments.
• Analyze "choice" through a systemic lens: When evaluating if an action is "empowering," distinguish between an individual's right to choose and the systemic structures that limit or shape those choices.
• Recognize erotic capital as a legitimate resource: Acknowledge that beauty and sex appeal function as economic assets similar to intelligence or education; understanding this helps explain market dynamics in the digital creator economy.