Elwin Hofman
Assistant Professor of Cultural History and editor of The Business of Pleasure: A History of Paid Sex in the Heart of Europe (2022), specializing in the historical regulation of sexuality and related archival research.
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Jan 17, 2026 • 50min
Elwin Hofman et al. eds., "The Business of Pleasure: A History of Paid Sex in the Heart of Europe" (Leuven UP, 2022)
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.
Jan 17, 2026 • 50min
Elwin Hofman et al. eds., "The Business of Pleasure: A History of Paid Sex in the Heart of Europe" (Leuven UP, 2022)
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.
