22/10/2025
The Intersections of Unwaged Work and S*x Work: Exploring the Complexities of Women's Labor
Our interest in unwaged work was inspired by our encounter with the Wages for Housework Campaign, initiated by Selma James in the 1970s. This campaign, which argued that housework should be recognized as work and compensated as such, resonated deeply with our own experiences and observations of the invisible and unvalued labor that women perform in the home.
The Wages for Housework Campaign highlighted the ways in which women's unwaged work in the home is essential to the functioning of capitalist economies, yet is rendered invisible and valueless. This campaign, and the broader movement it represented, challenged us to think critically about the intersections between unwaged work and other forms of women's labor, including s*x work.
The Value of Unwaged Work
Unwaged work, including domestic labor and care work, is essential to the functioning of societies. However, this work is often invisible and undervalued, with significant economic and social implications for women. According to some estimates, unwaged work contributes between 10% and 39% of GDP in some countries, highlighting the significant economic value of this labor.
Care work, including childcare and eldercare, is a critical component of unwaged work, enabling families and communities to thrive. However, this work is often relegated to women, who bear a disproportionate burden of unwaged work. Women spend more time on domestic chores and care work than men in many countries, reflecting broader societal attitudes towards women's roles and responsibilities.
The Intersection with S*x Work
Our work on unwaged labor and s*x work has also been influenced by organizations such as the English Collective of Prostitutes and the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective, who have long argued for the recognition and valuing of s*x work as labor. These organizations, and others like them, have highlighted the ways in which s*x work is also a form of labor that is often invisible, undervalued, and stigmatized.
S*x work intersects with unwaged work in complex ways, reflecting broader societal attitudes towards women's bodies, labor, and agency. S*x work involves the commodification of women's bodies, reflecting and reinforcing societal attitudes that women's bodies are for sale or use. This commodification can have significant implications for women's autonomy, agency, and economic stability.
Like unwaged work, s*x work is often stigmatized and shamed, reflecting broader societal attitudes towards s*x, women's bodies, and labor. This stigma can make it difficult for s*x workers to access healthcare, social services, and economic support, exacerbating poverty and economic insecurity.
Feminist Perspectives
Feminist perspectives on s*x work and unwaged work are diverse, reflecting different views on agency, exploitation, and empowerment. Some feminists argue that s*x work is inherently exploitative, reflecting and reinforcing patriarchal structures that commodify women's bodies. Others argue that s*x work is a form of labor that should be recognized and protected, with s*x workers deserving the same rights and protections as other workers.
Intersectional feminists highlight the need to consider the diverse experiences of women in both unwaged work and s*x work, including women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities. These women may face unique challenges and barriers, including racism, homophobia, and ableism, that shape their experiences of unwaged work and s*x work.
Policy Implications
Policies that address the intersections between unwaged work and s*x work could help promote greater economic justice and equality for women. Implementing a universal basic income, for example, could help reduce poverty and economic insecurity for women in both unwaged work and s*x work. Extending labor rights and protections to s*x workers could also help improve their working conditions and economic stability.
Investing in care infrastructure, such as childcare and eldercare, could help reduce the burden of unwaged work on women and promote greater economic equality. This could include providing subsidies for care services, supporting caregiver programs, and promoting policies that support work-life balance.
Conclusion
The relationship between unwaged work and s*x work is complex and multifaceted, reflecting broader societal attitudes towards women's bodies, labor, and agency. By exploring the intersections between these two spheres, we can work towards creating a more equitable society that values and supports all women's work. This will require policies and programs that address the economic, social, and cultural factors that shape women's experiences in both unwaged work and s*x work.
Ultimately, promoting greater economic justice and equality for women will require a fundamental shift in societal attitudes towards women's labor and agency. By recognizing the value and dignity of all women's work, we can work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.
*xwork
*x Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce
Human Library
