Episode 350: The Rise of Sugar Dating

Sugar dating typically involves an older, wealthy person who financially supports a younger, attractive partner in exchange for companionship and intimacy, and sometimes sex. In today’s episode, we’re going to explore the growing popularity of sugar dating and the unique grey area that it occupies in between traditional dating and sex work.

My guest is Dr. Bernadette Barton, a Professor of Sociology and the Director of Gender Studies at Morehead State University. Barton is co-editor of the new book Sex Work Today: Erotic Labor in the 21st Century. Her research and teaching explore contemporary issues of gender, sexuality, religion, culture, happiness, and the sex industry.

Some of the specific questions we answer in this episode include:

• What are some common examples of sugaring arrangements?
• How is sugar dating different from traditional dating?
• Is sugar dating sex work?
• What’s the legal status of sugar dating?
• Who holds the power in sugar dating relationships?

You can get 30% off Sex Work Today when you input code NYUP30 at checkout on nyupress.org.

Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology.

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Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.