Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism. This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article. Part 1 Daddy provides: Filipinos turn to sugar dating to achieve living wages. Women at the receiving end of sugar relationships β especially if motivated by survival β are at risk of being subjected to whatever the provider wants from them, be it services or sex.
But sugar babies like Stephanie and Amia challenge such subordination in establishing strict boundaries for themselves, with no need for explanations. When engaging in the sugar dating platform, Stephanie, who asked her surname to be withheld, always makes clear her two no-nos: a romantic relationship and intimacy. Her priority lies with education. There will always be a next one. But sometimes, men question why Stephanie has such boundaries. Any aggression can be dealt with a no response, a block, or a report.
Stephanie and Amia, as well as sugar dating platform Sugarbook CEO Darren Chan, want to debunk the idea that sugar dating can be equated to prostitution. We have our own choice, so we can say no, and we are very firm with that. And we all have our boundaries. Taking steps to ensure her safety when meeting her sugar daddies in person, Stephanie involves her mother. Both her parents are aware that she is seeing men who financially support her.
Her father, meanwhile, has learned to accept her arrangements as he believes that men should be providing for women. Video calls are always a requirement for her prior to meeting in person.
Among the feminist community, sugar dating is viewed in different ways. According to Verceles, sugar dating should not be seen as a black and white issue. Sugar dating typically occurs between older, wealthier men and younger, less affluent women. While there are some set-ups between an older woman and a younger man, Verceles said this is less common. Apart from the arguable reinforcement of male dominance and female subordination, sugar dating also spills into the power dynamics of unequal economic status, she said.
