Hand on heart?
I’d do exactly what I did with Angel.
I’d ask her what kind of sex work she was considering, what research she’d done about working conditions, safety and privacy considerations, managing potential health risks, fair pay rates, how to manage savings and tax affairs, and her ability to set and maintain her own limits when it came to what services she was willing to offer.
Most importantly, I’d ask what she was planning to do AFTER sex work, so when the appeal wears off and the dull reality of it sets in after a couple of years, she’s spent that time wisely, studying or earning towards a more long-term career for herself.
And when she was able to answer those questions, and articulate why sex work was the right choice for her now, how she’d keep safe, and how it would help her achieve her long term goals?
Damn right I’d tell her I was proud of her.
(Note: Angel is NOT my daughter, but I’m 18 years her senior and we had this conversation when she was 20. Her parents had a similar one with her too.
And I get it, We’re fortunate to live in a place where sex work is legal, (relatively) safe and well regulated. I know that’s not the case everywhere.
I’m not saying it’s the right choice for everyone, or even very many girls - like zoo, a lot of people just aren’t wired for it.
But shaming a young person for their choices is a sure fire way to make sure they make poor ones.)