The Oldest Profession

Prostitution was first given the term “the oldest profession in the world” by Rudyard Kipling in the late 19^th century and certainly it has been around from the beginning of time. In the ancient world it was not considered a demeaning or even wicked way of living but even in many parts of the world considered sacred. It was not outlawed as it later was under Christianity in the Western World. But this is not a history lesson on prostitution but rather an indictment of how women are treated today.

I was probably a little bit peculiar as a teenager because from the time I understood what a prostitute was I thought it was wrong that it was “wrong”. I thought that women should have a right to do what they wanted with their bodies and if it meant selling it that was okay with me. What I thought was wrong was that pimps were benefitting off of these women. With the exposure of Harvey Weinstein the real story has been ripped open since the way women have been treated in Hollywood has been next door to prostitution. Less volatile but no less demeaning is how often women have been harassed in the workplace. Women have for too long been looked upon as sexual objects rather than as equal human beings. But we know this and have always known this and only now we seem to have the momentum to make great changes in that perception. Let us hope so.

Meanwhile I would like to take a few minutes to talk about the men who have for many decades taken the view that women are NOT objects but valuable citizens. I believe one of the first ones to publicly take this position was Phil Donahue way back in the mid 1970’s and I remember thinking what a great guy he was to do it. I don’t think I realized how momentous it was but I do know that I was impressed so perhaps in a way I did recognize it as a huge step. I have worked with a great many colleagues over the years and I would like to give a huge shout out to all my engineering colleagues who very definitely treated their female staff in a respectful and civilized way; much more so than my legal colleagues – MUCH MORE. Sure there was still some misogyny around but for the most part the engineers were “evolved”. They understood that the female staff had strong roles to play and we were given a lot of credit and kudos that I had never experienced in any other work place. I am really grateful and appreciative of that.

And I would also like to give a shout out to our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau because he is another individual who made a great comment after he had appointed his cabinet with many more females on board than ever before. Questioned by the journalists about these appointments he answered “because it’s 2015”. Right on!

We just need a great many more men recognize that in the 21^st century we are stepping into a Brave New World where women are going to make their voices heard in a significant way which will, we hope, bring on a great, better civilization!

“You don't have to be pretty. You don't owe prettiness to anyone. Not to your boyfriend/spouse/partner, not to your co-workers, especially not to random men on the street. You don't owe it to your mother, you don't owe it to your children, you don't owe it to civilization in general. Prettiness is not a rent you pay for occupying a space marked 'female.'" —Erin McKean