Oxford says this: 1 The practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment. Prostitution is sometimes described as commercial sex. Some rich clients may pay for long-term contracts that may last for years. They make it sound so straightforward. Yes, sometimes prostitution is a neatly sliced, clearly defined transaction.
When I was on a recent trip with a group to a small resort in southern Cuba, where I frequently travel, the question of prostitution arose. There seemed to be quite a few older men with bored-looking young women, who had little language in common.
I recognized a few of the duos. In many cases, they are helping their lovers and the families of their lovers by bringing gifts, purchasing things the family needs, and buying or building homes. I also know many tourists who pay for friends and their families to visit the resort, simply as a kind and friendly gesture — sex is not always involved!
When sex is part of the equation, though, everything becomes more complicated. And, when love is blended in, the puddle gets muddier. Love may be a many-splendored thing but it can also be as slippery as wet soap. The nuances of love itself can be even more difficult to put your finger on. How do you know if someone really loves you? Or, if your beloved does love you, is it in balance with your own love for him or her?
Is the love in the relationship reciprocal and equal? And, if it is, will it remain that way? I met a couple a few years ago who seemed to be in a long-term, committed relationship. He was a bit older than she but nothing that would raise eyebrows too high, even in Canada. I crossed paths with them many times at the resort and in the nearby village. Last year, I had a tour of their nearly-finished house, which the Canadian man was paying for — buying materials in Cuba and taking household supplies in his suitcase when he visited every few months.
