> it seems like it would be no worse than a glassworker being allowed to pay off his debts by making you a window
You might think so, and yet my understanding is that people who are forced into prostitution by poverty find it a though choice that impacts their self-worth. I doubt any down-on-their-luck glassworkers would feel humiliated and degraded by accepting an offer to make a window.
Clearly your reductionist approach is losing vital differences.
I doubt any down-on-their-luck glassworkers would feel humiliated and degraded by accepting an offer to make a window.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, you can find many ordinary houses in working class neighborhoods with small stained glass windows. There was an influx of German stained glass artisans, and there were so many of them, that they sold to ordinary working people. Apparently, the whole Cincinnati scene died out because of the industry practice of the time -- preferring mercury containing solders -- caused so many mental health problems. There may have been such glassworkers in that environment.
Comparing glass blowing to prostitution is ridiculous. Calling them both professions is an academic approach to a very non-academic industry. I'm reminded of recent debates about whether female porn stars should be allowed to reject working with male stars on the basis of race or religion. That isn't allowed in other professions, at least in some states. But sex work is not subject to the same rules as other professions because it just isn't comparable to any other profession.
You might think so, and yet my understanding is that people who are forced into prostitution by poverty find it a though choice that impacts their self-worth. I doubt any down-on-their-luck glassworkers would feel humiliated and degraded by accepting an offer to make a window.
Clearly your reductionist approach is losing vital differences.