Honey Money

     Today I listened to an Interview with Katherine Hakim, the author of "Honey Money". The book is an exploration of women climbing work and social ladders by accessing their "Erotic Capital", which she describes as being a combination of physical attributes, social graces and sexual competency. By putting aside traditionally feminist ideas about beauty being solely superficial, or that using your beauty to get ahead is something that not only shows a lack of self-respect and "real" qualities (such as intellect) but is something to be ashamed of. We have been taught to look down upon the woman who dresses like a character from Mad Men to be noticed in the workplace. Hakim argues that one's "Erotic Capital" is not taken advantage of by showing more cleavage and thigh but by appropriate dress, subtle flirtation and a general projection of good health and a positive attitude.

Catherine Hakim has got a lot of gall - That will get her far!

     While I didn't necessarily agree with everything she said I was finding the interview really interesting, I thought this was a very modern look at femininity and feminism (two things that are unfortunately thought not to go together due to the connotations and stereotypes that come along with the word "feminine"). In fact, I was thoroughly enjoying the show until Hakim said something that just floored me. (It floored my mum too, we were just discussing it). When talking about careers where women were ahead of men when it came to taking advantage of their "Erotic Capital", she brought up prostitution and suggested that prostitutes were in their particular line of work simply because they enjoy sex and thought 'hey, why not turn this into a job!'. I couldn't believe it! However I'm sure there are some prostitutes (or "escorts") who thoroughly enjoy their work, make excellent pay, live in fancy condos and charge lots and cater to the richest of the rich men out there on their own terms - are these ladies representative of the majority of sex workers? I think not. I imagine escort, erotic massage therapist, prostitute or "dancer" were not occupations that topped most of these girls' list of career goals for the bulk of their life, and I found it almost offensive that Hakim seemed to pass off all sex workers as simply being very successful in following the advice in her book while using the full power of their "Erotic Capital".
A great interview nonetheless. I would read the book, so I guess in the end, whether she has offended me or not, she has succeeded in selling her product and peaking my interest.