The Sexual Health Education Club (SHEC) met on Dec. 15 to discuss the topic of “sugar daddies,” according to junior co-president Philip Djerf.

“A ‘sugar daddy’ is a wealthy, typically older man who wants a young, attractive girl to spend time with. He pays her for her companionship and sometimes sex,” Djerf said. “A ‘sugar baby’ is typically a young attractive female who needs money for some reason. A lot of the time they’re college students, and these older rich men pay for their tuition (in return for) companionship.”

According to Djerf, the discussion focused on how ‘sugar babies’ are often viewed with shame, while ‘sugar daddies’ take pride in having ‘sugar babies.’ The meeting evolved into a more generalized discussion of misogyny in our society regarding women in sex work industries.

“People are very quick to criticize the women who are stripping or making porn videos, but people never call out anyone who goes to a strip club or pays for a prostitute or watches porn,” Djerf said. “They’re only criticizing the person providing the service and not the person benefiting from the service.”

Junior Chloe Schaehrer said she thinks this meeting was impactful.

“The discussion helped educate some of the other students and change the way they look at ‘sugar daddy/baby relationships,’” Schaehrer said.

Djerf said SHEC welcomes students from all grades to attend future meetings.

“We won’t turn anyone away. It’s a very welcoming space where people can bring any concerns they have to the table and (we’ll discuss),” Djerf said.

Junior co-president Izzi Gilbert Burke also encouraged all students to attend upcoming meetings.

“Every member who comes to our meetings brings a different perspective on the topic, which creates an interesting discussion,” Gilbert Burke said.

According to Djerf, the next SHEC meeting will take place at 8 a.m. Jan. 5 in room B112.