The economic downturn has created dire situations for individuals across the nation. Job cuts, high unemployment rates, and rising tuition fees have caused some female students to seek older men to help them financially. Although the concept of older wealthy men supporting young women for sexual favors is nothing new, several websites have made the connection easier.
According to a report done by the Huffington Post, financially strapped female college students are creating profiles on websites where they meet “sugar daddies” who can help pay off their loans.
The college students upload seductive pictures of themselves to their profiles, reveal their interests and request weekly allowances of $1,000 to $3,000 per week. Some also ask for travel and other perks. Although sex is not directly offered on the websites, it encourages flirtation and the mention of money suggests that the students are seeking pay for play.
One website, Seeking Arrangements, revealed that many of the students who have created profiles on their site come from middle-class homes and attend prestigious schools such as Harvard and Princeton.
The number of female students who seek “sugar daddies” to help pay their college tuition will likely increase. The recent passing of the debt limit deal could make the Pell Grant, a financial aid grant for poor students, obsolete. Some Republicans and tea party members have referred to Pell Grants as the “welfare of the 21st Century.”
So while selfish rich men in business suits continue to create a dubious fate for the poor and black middle class, they will also indirectly be forcing many college females to prostitute themselves to pay off student loans. It’s today’s cost of living a nightmare to achieve the American dream. –amir shaw
A.R. Shaw is the sports and music director for rolling out magazine. He is also the author of the young adult novel, 23.
