What Is Sugar Dating?
Sugar dating, or “sugaring” is a new form of dating where young women and men
are supported financially by older adults sugar daddy app singapore, who are known as “sugar daddies” or
“sugar mamas.” It has become popular in recent years and it is advertised on online
platforms that connect high net worth individuals with younger people seeking an
alternative lifestyle. This trend among college students has drawn criticism and
raises questions about how sugaring may be exploitative or even border on sex
trafficking.
A sugar baby is a woman or man who seeks companionship Sundate Singapore, intimacy and financial
benefits from the “sugar daddy” or “sugar momma.” The relationship has been
described as an equal partnership where both parties benefit from the arrangement.
Some sugar babies choose to date only one sugar daddy or sugar momma at a time,
while others prefer to date several and benefit from their mentorship,
companionship, and support.
According to the most popular sugar dating website, SeekingArrangement, 4 per
cent of college students are involved in some type of sugaring arrangement. While
this number does not appear large, it may represent a significant increase in the
past few years. The popularity of these websites can be attributed to the rising costs
of higher education, which are often difficult for families to afford. Many of these
students come from low income backgrounds and are looking for ways to
supplement their earnings from other means.
The most common motive for a sugar relationship is money. Almost all of the
students Epigram interviewed cited the potential for a generous allowance as their
primary motivation. Some sugar babies report earning as much as PS2,730 a month,
which is more than many students could expect to make from their normal part time
job. The sugar dating industry also promises a glamorous lifestyle of travel, dinners,
luxury goods and more.
However, the reality of the sugar lifestyle is not quite so glamorous. Many of the
arrangements are sexually coercive and can put the sugar baby at risk for financial
abuse. For example, the sugar daddy or sugar mama can withhold payment until a
sex act is performed, which is against their partner’s wishes. Furthermore, the sex
work aspect of sugaring can lead to emotional and psychological harm as well.
It is important to understand how these relationships form in order to address their
negative effects. This can involve acknowledging the role of hegemonic
heterosexuality in the exploitation of females in these relationships and considering
the fact that sugaring occurs in a context of financial precarity, which can limit a
woman’s ability to exercise full sexual agency. Until these factors are addressed, an
egalitarian sexuality is unlikely to emerge from this arrangement.
