While they claim to connect sugar babies with sugar daddies/mommas around the world for "mutually beneficial" relationships, not everyone approves of the "sugar" arrangement.
What are sugar babies and sugar daddies/mommas?
According to Seeking Arrangement--a global "sugar dating" website--sugar babies, who are often young, are able to "enjoy a life of luxury by being pampered with fine dinners, exotic trips and allowances" via sugar daddies/mommas.
In return, sugar daddies or mommas find "beautiful members to accompany them at all times."
This week, Vancouver Is Awesome shared a story that featured two local "sugar babies" and their experiences using the online dating service. While both women admitted that they have to be cautious meeting men online, neither one reported a bad experience.
Seeking Arrangement says over 350,000 sugar baby students across Canada are members on its website, many of whom attend school in B.C.
The "sugar dating" company underscores that members are expected to abide by the company terms and conditions that prohibit "the unlawful use of the site for escorting, prostitution and human trafficking.
Vocal response from readers on "sugar dating"
While many people support a woman's choice to use the website, several V.I.A. readers said that "sugar dating" is sex work, albeit a modern form of it.
Both women V.I.A. spoke to said that they don't believe "sugar dating" is sex work, adding that sex work is transactional and often a "one-off" experience. In contrast, a successful "sugar" relationship may last several years.
One of the women said she's been seeing the same man for three years and that they care for each other--but she stopped short of calling it a relationship.
Here are some of the responses from our readers.
I don’t care what people do with their own money or their own bodies. It’s none of my business. Two consenting adults can do whatever they want.
---Chrissey Angela Leyburn
It’s laughable how many people think that it’s impossible that no sex is involved. Lots of people pay for companionship or arm candy.
---佐々木 シエナ
As long as it's two consenting adults who both know what they're getting into, then who cares what they're doing? Not my life not my problem.
---Shawn Rundgren
Where are the sugar mama's? Seems rather unequal. Step up ladies....
---Jonathan Colvin
Some of the comments are nuts. What’s wrong with being a sex worker ? Maybe if people had any amount of education on the topic they would have a better opinion... My favourite perspective is on the power shift in a patriarchy.
When sex work is free choice there is no issue. It’s the same as going to a bar getting guys to buy you drinks and going home with them, except this is business and there are terms and conditions. Welcome to 2021 folks.
---Brittany Van de Velde
Most sugar daddies are married. every sugar baby I know has had to have sex. girls who use these apps overseas a lot were very transactional. dinner + sex, 3 hours= $500. weekend away + shopping= $1,000 honestly, I know a handful of sugar babies and it always involves sex. (for the record, I have a career. I'm not a sugar baby.)
----Moya Lyubov
Nothing against sex work but sugar babies are sex workers period.
---Rachel Elizabeth
Sugar babies for the most part, sex is usually not involved. Companionship is usually the main thing. Arm candy when they go to fancy places, vacation, and what not. Most of these men just want to shower their sugar baby with gifts and money. All they gotta do is spend time with them.
---Amari Singh
Give us a break. These men may be nice and pleasant, but they’re paying for a service and that service includes sex. Basically it’s like being a mistress.
----Deborah Freese
Adultery is not something I would engage in, but is it immoral? I won't judge on that; I just think it's kind of pathetic.
And I don't think sex for money is immoral. Again, not something I would do, but I can understand it on both sides of the equation if both sides agree to it.
----Jeff Dwyer
