Blog 10

                The issues of modern day sex slavery seem miniscule when you live everyday ignorant to its horrors; however it creates thousands of victims every year. In his collection of articles, Nicholas Kristof focuses on the journey of purchasing the freedom of two sex slaves from Cambodia and following their stories as they try to adjust back to a normal lifestyle. After analysis it seems that the root of such immorality stems in the socioeconomic role that women play in these Cambodian societies and in order for these fundamental horrors to be stopped, these countries must address matters head on.

Many women in these Asian cultures are seen as second class citizens and burdens to the family. When their family is in debt, a lot of pressure is forced upon these women to come up with money in order to help, and many are slyly pressured by the older members to go into sex slavery and send money back home. Like the case of Srey Neth, who was pressured by her aunt to sell her virginity in order to help pay off family debt, many women’s sex lives are traded in order to help the rest of the family and they are coerced into believing that what they are doing is morally right. Much like Mill’s Greater Good Principle, women give their lives to help their family; however they are actively damaging and killing themselves.

Because of this pressure to help the family, a lot of women working in Cambodian brothels are said to have begun working their knowingly and willingly, however I disagree. I believe that willingly means you are free and can leave whenever you want, not be scared to leave the brothel or even stray too far from it. Also, being free insinuates no impossible debt to pay off to some “master”. Also, I believe willingly means personal consent of that woman for every customer. Now, these articles did not go into full detail about this issue, however I find it hard to believe that for years these women want to do the specific sexual act the man is paying for when the man pays for it in the way the man wants it. Therefore without the factors of safety, being debt-free, and giving consent, sex slavery is morally impermissible and violates a women’s body no matter where that money is going.

            In order to make any progress with this issue, the Cambodian people as a society have to stop treating women like second class citizens and start treating them with the honor they deserve. By having chances for them to be educated and new outlets for work, women can open new opportunities for themselves and begin to play an integral role in society. This way, a woman can help pay off family debt with their business and intelligence instead of their bodies. Also, the Cambodians and people in general have to criticize the beliefs that “men will be men.” This notion fuels the need of men need an outlet for their sexual desires; therefore brothels are essential to fulfill such desires. Men need to be criticized about their actions in partaking in sex with these women and violating someone’s bodily freedom is morally wrong and take it upon themselves to stop doing such actions in order to respect woman as an equal counterpart.