New Books in History 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 and editor of The Business of Pleasure, dives deep into the multifaceted history of paid sex in Belgium. He discusses the recent decriminalization of sex work in Belgium and its historical context, from the notorious bathhouses of the 15th century to the complex dynamics of male and female sex work. Hofman also explores the challenges faced by sex workers throughout history, the evolution of scholarly perspectives on prostitution, and the significant impact of activism on rights and research in the field.
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Prostitution Has A Historical Beginning
- The "world's oldest profession" is a myth that erases historical change and agency among sex workers.
- Elwin Hofman argues commercial sex became recognizable when cities and states began regulating and taxing it.
Regulation Makes Sex Work Visible
- Hofman ties the emergence of prostitution as a social category to bureaucratic documentation and regulation by cities.
- He says regulation and taxation are what make commercial sex legible in archives and public life.
Male Sex Work Gets Hidden In Different Categories
- Men who sold sex appear in records but were often categorized under homosexuality or sodomy rather than prostitution.
- Hofman notes male sex work becomes more visible in later centuries with richer source material.
