Posted September 17, Reviewed by Lybi Ma. For many college and university students, sugar relationships can be a draw, especially for those struggling financially. In fact, over 3 million college students in the US are considered so-called sugar babies. Emily name changed is a year-old university student who was in need of extra income.
In an interview with the Trauma and Mental Health Report, she describes one, among several, of her experiences with a sugar daddy who was married, which is not uncommon:. I felt a little weird about it. You could talk to someone and they seem super nice and then they end up not being genuine. Emily eventually decided to stop. She describes the impact the experience had on her self-esteem :. I would try to think about it in this way: they are paying me for my time, not for what I am doing.
But there were times that I would feel kind of used. Jessica Stebbins is a marriage and family therapist with experience in counselling women who have a history of prostitution. She states:. Stebbins thinks the trouble with sugar relationships is that they do not allow for feelings to develop naturally, but rather around the promise of money.
This can affect morale and self-view, and lead to other negative consequences. But not everyone claims to come out with poor mental health effects. Jordan describes it positively, as empowering:. To be able to meet with individuals, create a mutual agreement, and have a good time is a very positive experience and empowering at best. It shows sugar babies that they have the drive and motivation to help themselves or even to just live happily.
Like with any risky endeavour, individual experiences vary widely. Some young women may leave unscarred. Perhaps those should consider themselves the lucky ones. Chief Editor: Robert T. Robert T. Muller, Ph. Robert T Muller Ph. Talking About Trauma. About the Author. More from Robert T Muller Ph. More from Psychology Today. Back Psychology Today. Back Find a Therapist. Back Get Help. Mental Health. Passive Aggression Personality Shyness.
