To start webcam modelling even though I have radical feminist views?

[h3av3n]

So in the past when I needed money I would do webcam modelling/camshows/whatever you want to call it. I could make decent money from it and also get items bought for me from my Amazon wishlist. During the time I would become really uncomfortable with it, disturbed and disgusted by the men etc, I would feel so sick and empty after a while.

I'm a radical feminist and don't believe things should be like this whatsoever but my hours were recently cut at work and I simply need the money, the times in the past were due to being desperate for money for rent, food, bills and necessities. It makes more money than any job I can do, at my job I get £8.71 per hour but an hour of cam modelling can make hundreds on a good day plus collecting fans which gives the opportunity of additional money and gifts.

It's going to make me feel like shit, also I feel like I'm letting women down by choosing to be part of this and to serve men who are disgusting people. But at the same time I need money for me and my kid. I just wonder if it's unethical from a feminist point of view to do this.

But it quite simply doesn’t make you one!

You can’t be a vegan - but on Saturdays have a bacon sandwich.

"If you think sex workers “sell their bodies”, but coal miners & sewage cleaners do not, your view of labour is clouded by your moralistic view of sexuality."

Women shouldn't feel like they have to do this type of activity to be able to earn a living and raise their children.

That's the feminist angle if you want.

Free porn is just watching other people do stuff to each other. The OP is correct, there's lots of money in live webcam shows. If the man wants someone to do certain things just for them, he'll pay whatever it costs. A work colleague used to do foot webcams, the pervs love a personalised service, makes them feel special 😀

And I feel feminism is about choice. The bigger issue for me is that it makes you feel like shit, and noone should be forced into work that makes them feel like that as there is no other choice.

I just wonder if it's unethical from a feminist point of view to do this

What is the issue exactly? If you are so skint or desperate for money, why is it even of any relevance to you to consider the ethics from a feminist view?

I am so sorry that this is the choice that you are having to make to make money. I am also sorry that on top of this difficult situation, you have been met with some flippant and judgey replies.

I guess, for me, the fact it goes so strongly against your convictions, and you lose your inner peace when you do it, makes me think that there must be some other way. To work against your 'inner self' like that doesn't go away instead it builds and will cause greater harm somewhere/sometime else.

So can you:
Take a lodger in/rent out a room?
Re-finance any loans/credit cards?
Tutor?
Start applying for new jobs?
Apply for universal credit?
Sell your car?
Go to your parents for help?
Apply for a hardship fund from a church?

It's going to make me feel like shit, also I feel like I'm letting women down by choosing to be part of this and to serve men who are disgusting people.

Why are the men the only 'disgusting' ones in your scenario?

Webcamming is either 'disgusting' or it isn't.

If it is, then surely both parties partaking in it would come under that description?

If feminism is able to pay your rent and bills then listen to it. If not then the choice is yours. That said, even though you've already done it in the past it seems to sit uneasy with you at present. Make a list of pros and cons if you like - ultimately no-one can decide but you.

Can't we lose you euphemisms. You mean showing them your knockers?

My main fear would be people seeing me that I know, that would put me off

Men are disgusting people? What a horrible comment.

Look you're not going to get a good response on here because a lot of women on mumsnet show time and time again they despise sex work and sex workers themselves.

Truth is if you can work through it feeling disgusting and being mentally draining then I think go for it

It's lucrative, will ALWAYS have a solid market and is easy to do.

Doesnt really come down to whether you have principles or not so that's just bitter.

Do it , earn yourself some money and be proud in the fact you have secure income during a difficult time

emz771 I was referring to the men who watch the camshows specifically

How is it ‘better for your daughter’ (and every other female on the entire planet) to get your fanjo out on the worldwide web, simulating sex for cash? I’m sure she’ll feel much better when you tell her you did it for her. No. You didn’t. No one with any sort of feminist principles could seriously consider making themselves wank fodder and cementing the ingrained view that a woman’s body is merely a commodity to be sold for a couple of quid to any man that wants it.
Fuck off with your claim to principles.
Don’t worry baby, mummy is making the world a worse place for you and every other female to inhabit.
Stand up for yourself and every other bloody woman and do what actual feminists do, instead of what men want you to do.
Ffs.

Despise sex work? You are damned right.
Despise sex workers? Only the ones kidding themselves they are doing the right thing by being a sex worker. Those I despise.

Well it sounds like you’d hate yourself for it so on the risk to your mental health isn’t worth it?

Or you can disassociate enough to do it and make some ££.

You don’t have RADFEM principles. You have some rad fem views but the conflict here is huge.

Do it. Hope it never surfaces and make some money.

Don’t do it, live a better mental life and try and find other work?
Supermarkets are taking on lots of temp staff?

emz771 I was referring to the men who watch the camshows specifically

But there are two participants, so why is only one 'disgusting'?

Is your face covered?
I would check out other avenues for an income but if desperate and it came to caring for my child, I'd do it, but only if I had some control.

I think a 'proper' (hell yes, I'm deciding) feminist wouldn't criticize you, they'd criticize the economic/structural reasons that make you feel you have little choices, and the men willing to exploit your desperation.

I wouldn't judge you, but are you sure you've exhausted all the options?

darkforceofexcesszeal by better for my daughter I meant because of the money which is obviously needed for things like rent, food, topping up the electric etc, as I said my hours have been cut at work

Re which one is disgusting, or both: surely it comes down to supply and demand?

I think as long as you make the choice to do it, you're not actually solving your problem, which is a change of job with guaranteed hours and pay.

Being a radical feminist is irrelevant - feminist issues arise in many workplaces regardless of the type of work.

This is about maths. Income and outgoings and yours presumably don't add up.

If you did a camshow you would know exactly what I mean by the men are disgusting. They just are. They are evil.