Trade not on same level

I WAS astounded to read the letter from Karl-james Langford in the Evening Post (October 22). Mr Langford claims that sex workers “deserve the same respect and rights that we all take for granted” and talks about “the professionalism of the sex worker.”

Really? That’s tantamount to putting sex workers on a par with teachers, lawyers, motor mechanics, etc, ie trades and professions that require many years of study and training before the person becomes qualified in that field.

How absurd is that? I should make clear that I am referring here solely to people who actually choose to lead this way of life. I am obviously not referring to women that have been trafficked and coerced into this sort of activity by exploitative men.

Mr Langford chooses to dignify the way of life of the sex worker by elevating it to the status of “profession”. If we do that, where does it leave all the professionals that command our respect and admiration, particularly in the age of Covid-19? I’m talking about the doctors, the nurses, the care-home staff, ie the people who are dedicated to saving lives, or to enhancing them.

If we follow Mr Langford’s advice we might as well consider elevating other cohorts of people to the status of “respected professionals”.

How about drug dealers or abortionists? In other words, those who ruin people’s lives, and those who terminate them. They would sit well alongside “professionals” who are willingly prepared to sell sexual favours to anyone who happens to come around the corner.

TONY YOUNG Llangennech, Carmarthenshire