New Books Network Elwin Hofman et al. eds., "The Business of Pleasure: A History of Paid Sex in the Heart of Europe" (Leuven UP, 2022)
Jan 17, 2026
Elwin Hofman, an Assistant Professor of Cultural History, discusses his work on The Business of Pleasure, which explores the complex history of paid sex in Belgium. He reveals how Belgium's decriminalization of sex work in 2022 marks a significant turning point. Hofman delves into the historical regulation of commercial sex, from the infamous bathhouses of the fifteenth century to the visibility of male sex workers. He also discusses the evolution of societal narratives about sex work and sheds light on the lives of sex workers through careful analysis of biased archival sources.
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The Myth Of The World's Oldest Profession
- The phrase "the world's oldest profession" is a myth rooted in mistranslation and stereotype.
- Elwin Hofman argues this myth erases change and agency in the long history of commercial sex.
Regulation Makes Prostitution Visible
- Hofman locates recognizable prostitution in the late medieval period when cities began regulating and taxing it.
- Regulation and bureaucracy make commercial sex legible in the archive and to historians.
Male Sex Work Was Hidden By Labels
- Men selling sex existed but were less visible because authorities framed them under homosexuality or sodomy.
- Male prostitution becomes clearer in the twentieth century as more diverse sources appear.
