# What Happens to Over-the-Hill Sex Workers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 12, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195 "2009-08-12T17:24:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/81 "2009-08-15T04:04:14Z")
> [@](#): > > Your cliche, stereotypical ideas of what a sexworker is, which is as individual as any other work, as distinct from what a sexworker merely does when he/she is “at work,” is, again, uncharacteristically ill-considered and prejudicial for what I’d come to expect from Dopers. Liss… On the other hand…I’d have to say that I think that while most sex workers are folks who do it to get through a rough spot, or who do it to get some money, it does seem like there’s a rather stereotypical minority, that is really screwed up about sex and reinforces the stereotypes. Like for example, they’ve been sexually abused or raped and have really messed up attitudes about sex. Like they think they can be “empowered” or “heal” from some trauma through having lots and lots of sex. Granted that attitude isn’t just limited to sex workers…a lot of people have messed up attitudes about sex. But the sex workers who do have that attitude tend to reinforce the stereotypes. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/82 "2009-08-15T12:36:06Z")
Basically, they’re fucked. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/83 "2009-08-15T20:43:59Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Basically, they’re fucked. Does that contraction mean are, were, or both? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/84 "2009-08-16T21:32:01Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > I read an article that Aurora Snow is using her porn career to pay for her schooling to be an attorney. It seems like a lateral career move to me 😃 If you think Aurora Snow’s career move is odd, look up Bridget Monet. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/85 "2009-08-16T22:04:59Z")
> [@AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](#): > > Liss… On the other hand…I’d have to say that I think that while most sex workers are folks who do it to get through a rough spot, or who do it to get some money, it does seem like there’s a rather stereotypical minority, that is really screwed up about sex and reinforces the stereotypes. Like for example, they’ve been sexually abused or raped and have really messed up attitudes about sex. > Like they think they can be “empowered” or “heal” from some trauma through having lots and lots of sex. > Granted that attitude isn’t just limited to sex workers…a lot of people have messed up attitudes about sex. But the sex workers who do have that attitude tend to reinforce the stereotypes. So . . . by the same logic, racism is perfectly justifiable because there’s “a rather stereotypical minority” of black men that mugs old white ladies and sells crack to kids. Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![Jerseyman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@Jerseyman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerseyman)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/86 "2009-08-16T22:17:13Z")
It sounds a mistake as big to talk about _sexwork_ as 1984’s _sexcrime_. That’s especially true for fetish stuff and still more so for women where there’s still a strong feeling that _nice women don’t do that sort of thing_ especially from women who’d consider themselves ‘nice’ or ‘feminist’. If you think you’re weird for having some sort of fetish and then find that there are others the same and \*then[/i]that you can get money for it, why not? There are cases of trafficking and compulsion there are sad little girls selling sex to pay for their next fix. That doesn’t mean that everybody in the trade hates it or feels ashamed. I recommend this blog for a lady worth respect [http://renegadeevolution.blogspot.com/](http://renegadeevolution.blogspot.com/) ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/87 "2009-08-17T06:58:06Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > Phone sex operators. True, in the case of Jody Maxwell, the porn star I knew when I was a kid. She became a family friend (she was my Dad’s boss’s daughter), and was fairly popular in the 70s for her ability to perform fellatio and talk and sing at the same time. I decided to see what was up with her a few years back and discovered that she had spent the 80s and 90s as a phone sex operator, and had a web site hawking a book about the experience. As for others: Sharon Mitchell became a doctor and runs AIM (Adult Industry Medical) and is the most trusted source of AIDS testing for the porn industry. You don’t have a test from AIM within thelast month, you don’t work. Georgina Spelvin has worked for years as a graphic designer and makeup artist for mainstream movies. Brandy Alexandre worked as an executive at Forrest Lawn until she was ‘outed’ by an asshole with an agenda. Veronica Hart directs adult movies. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/88 "2010-03-17T21:18:37Z")
Apparently some of them go to a [retirement home for older prostitutes](http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/03/16/vbs.house.setting.sun/index.html?hpt=C1). ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/89 "2010-03-17T21:28:24Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > They’re only 20, so they probably go to college. Zing! ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/90 "2010-03-17T21:58:40Z")
I realise that I may be missing the point of the thread, but to answer the OP’s question friends of mine who used to be pros are currently working as: - physiotherapist - university admin - receptionist - too many personality issues to hold down a constant job, but mostly admin when she’s working - level 2 helpdesk - actor (for which read “creatively unemployed”) - shop owner - mailroom manager - network technician. All of them exited the industry in their late-20s or early 30s, some more gradually than others. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/91 "2010-03-17T22:05:21Z")
Those who become successful and make a transition are the fortunate ones. One of the unmentioned risks of the sex industry is the addictive quality the lifestyle has for its workers. (As well as its consumers.) Never underestimate the lure of feeling desirable to other people. And many workers consider it to be easy money, not taking into consideration the expensive lifestyle and physical wear and tear which goes hand in hand. In many ways it is a lifestyle of illusion and often it’s difficult to tell who ‘s zoomin’ whom. It seems acknowledged that, as a rule, it can be a dangerous occupation. And when money gets short the appeal to continue to return to refill the pocketbook can be strong. That urge to return can be, like the “one last drink for old times sake,” the risky hook. When to step out of the lifestyle may be the most important thing a sexworker needs to discern. How well a person is able to make that transition would depend on the strength of their adaptive skills and whether they had managed to remain free of addiction during their tenure. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/92 "2010-03-17T22:54:03Z")
What happens to over-the-hill GQ threads? I almost typed exactly the same answer I did back in August! ---
**Author:** ![Recliner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e57/32.png) [@Recliner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recliner)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/93 "2010-03-17T23:51:30Z")
I was reading a fairly interesting study on, basically, the business aspects of pornography (video porn), and the participants were female and male “porn stars”. In terms of longevity, the average female career was only a couple of years; for males, it could be far longer – although there were comparitively far fewer men working in pornography. The actors/actresses interviewed were generally very aware of the potentially short-term nature of it, and basically focused on trying to cultivate personal celebrity…hoping that they could increase their income enough during their prospective years that they could work in a desirable “straight” (non-porn) sector afterwards. Its apparently not uncommon for actors/actresses to enter the business or film production areas (directors, editors, technicians, starting their own production companies, etc), so there are still places “in the industry” for them to go. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/94 "2010-03-17T23:55:47Z")
Age and lack of attractiveness is no longer a problem thanks to the Internet. To name just one site, Ugly Old [Sluts.Com](http://Sluts.Com) shows that there is niche market for anything on the Web. ---
**Author:** ![Recliner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e57/32.png) [@Recliner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recliner)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/95 "2010-03-18T00:13:08Z")
> [@HorseloverFat](#): > > As far as the 10% go, well, I imagine they end up with “respectable” jobs as they are quite aware that eventually their looks will go. I also imagine their pay rate is pegged to their looks, so the ones near the end of their careers probably are already working at moving on because of the lack of cash. There are apparently standard industry rates (for the “top-tier”) porn producers. Actresses get paid by the scene; not to get too TMI, but the “rougher” sex acts pay more than simple nude shots or girl-on-girl. Oh, and women make significantly more than men, one of the only industries where this occurs. ---
**Author:** ![Recliner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e57/32.png) [@Recliner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recliner)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/96 "2010-03-18T00:16:00Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Yeah, **Exapno Mapcase** , but what do they do _for money_? The crack whores don’t get _more_ employable in a traditional sense when they get older. (Actually, I can answer that to a point, as we get some of them in the library - not enough to explain the entire demographic, though. I’d say for every twenty homeless men we get, I might see one homeless woman. Maybe more like every thirty.) > > ETA - and recall, these are not people who are paying into Social Security. Since a “crack whore” is someone who’s engaging in street prostitution for crack (and honestly, how do people determine this from seeing someone?), its a more dangerous situation to the prostitute than, well, almost anything. People in this situation change their habits, die, or go to jail – in the short term, they, er, prostitute and smoke crack. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/97 "2010-03-18T01:27:24Z")
> [@](#): > > Age and lack of attractiveness is no longer a problem thanks to the Internet. To name just one site, Ugly Old [Sluts.Com](http://Sluts.Com) shows that there is niche market for anything on the Web. No, it’s still relevant. Think supply and demand: Assuming a steady state and low mortality, there are about as many women in their 60s who did porn in their 20s as there are women in their 20s who are currently doing porn. So the supply of both is about the same. On the other hand, while there is some demand for 60-year-old porn stars, there’s a heck of a lot more demand for 20-year-old porn stars. So an older woman who stays in the industry can expect to make a lot less money than a younger woman. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/98 "2010-03-18T02:17:43Z")
\*\*What Happens to Over-the-Hill Sex Workers? \*\* They get laid off. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/99 "2010-03-18T03:33:21Z")
Sex workers will do better in the industry if they have good guidance going in. I recommend watching a good instructional film on the subject, just like the other job films you saw in high school. The best is undoubtedly How to Become a Pornstar, at http:// www. [deviantclip.com/Media-9719\_How-to-become-a-pornstar.html](http://deviantclip.com/Media-9719_How-to-become-a-pornstar.html) [link is broken with two spaces] Novices should be prepared to be shocked, especially at the peanut butter sandwich and the ring of fire. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195/100 "2010-03-18T04:43:49Z")
The 50-yr-old crack whore I know is on welfare, food stamps, disability, etc., lives in a Section 8 apt. with her ex-con boyfriend, and looks like she’s about 70 years old. She turns tricks for drug money, and probably will continue to do so until she kicks the bucket, which from the looks of it, won’t be long. I see plenty of streetwalkers her age in seemingly the same condition. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-over-the-hill-sex-workers/506195.md?page=6)