# Does OnlyFans empower or exploit women? | Catherine Hakim, Minna Salami, Farha Khalidi Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuwG2h5WAXA Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/yuwG2h5WAXA Generated: 2026-01-19T16:35:14.057+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The discussion among Catherine Hakim, Minna Salami, and Farha Khalidi reveals a complex debate on whether platforms like OnlyFans empower or exploit women, with Hakim arguing that women are actively choosing to monetize their erotic power, while Salami points out that this choice often occurs within a patriarchal framework where women face backlash and financial disparity compared to men for similar activities, and Khalidi notes the existence of a financial incentive overriding feminist critiques for many creators. **Key Points:** - Catherine Hakim argues that women are actively choosing to monetize their erotic power through platforms like OnlyFans, citing examples of high earners like Cristiano Ronaldo who monetize their attractiveness and athletic talent. - Minna Salami contends that female erotic power is still viewed through a patriarchal lens, leading to fear and societal backlash against women who choose to capitalize on it, unlike men who are often celebrated for similar ventures. - Farha Khalidi notes that many OnlyFans creators are driven by financial necessity or opportunity, pointing out the significant earnings disparity where women make less than men for similar work, and that critics often moralize against female sexuality. - Hakim highlights that young women in cities, particularly in the UK, are engaging in sex work and other forms of explicit entertainment, often anonymously, because they are poorly paid in entry-level jobs. - The panel explores the fear surrounding female erotic power, suggesting that men fear it because women retain control over their sexuality and income, which contrasts with the historical narrative where men controlled the terms of sexuality. - The discussion underscores that while platforms offer financial opportunities, they also expose creators to insult and criticism, particularly from certain feminist perspectives that view the work as inherently undermining. - Hakim concludes that the focus should be on the choices women make available to them, suggesting that the economic reality (like low pay in other sectors) drives some women toward monetizing their looks or sexuality. ![Screenshot at 0:05: Farha Khalidi discusses how men were historically the first to defend sex work and the sexualization of women, contrasting with current societal reactions to women earning money from platforms like OnlyFans.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yuwG2h5WAXA/00-00-05.jpg) **Context:** The video features a panel discussion hosted by Sarah Wilson, involving sociologist Catherine Hakim, journalist and author Minna Salami, and writer/OnlyFans model Farha Khalidi. The core topic revolves around the theme of 'erotic power' and whether the rise of platforms like OnlyFans represents genuine female empowerment or continued exploitation within a patriarchal system. The panelists address the economic realities, societal judgment, and the differing motivations behind women’s choices in monetizing their sexuality. ## Detailed Analysis The panel addresses the question of whether sites like OnlyFans and sex work empower or undermine women. Catherine Hakim asserts that women are actively choosing to monetize their erotic power, noting that figures like Cristiano Ronaldo earn millions from their appeal, and young women in cities are increasingly engaging in explicit entertainment due to poor wages in traditional sectors. Hakim points out that this financial avenue is novel for women, contrasting with historical norms. Minna Salami counters that this 'choice' is complicated because female erotic power is still feared and judged within a patriarchal framework, leading to backlash that men do not face for similar self-monetization. She suggests that female empowerment through these means is not viewed through the same lens as male success. Farha Khalidi adds that many creators are motivated by financial necessity or opportunity, noting that even successful OnlyFans creators earn significantly less than male counterparts in similar fields, and that the backlash often comes from those who believe women are setting feminism back. Khalidi also mentions the cultural context where female sexuality is often policed (e.g., the 'Miss America pageant' example). The speakers agree that the conversation about choice must be complicated by these external pressures and systemic financial inequalities that push women toward these platforms. ### Theme One - Fear of Erotic Power: Men value male erotic power highly, often paying more for it; women's erotic power is often associated with humiliation and belittlement because they are not paid for it or are forced into sex work, unlike attractive men like David Beckham or George Clooney who are celebrated for monetizing their looks. ### Theme Two - OnlyFans Empowerment vs. Undermining: Do sites like OnlyFans empower women or undermine them? - Khalidi notes that earnings are often modest ($100/average OnlyFans girl), and the backlash often comes from moralizing critics who feel women are regressing feminism. ### Panelist Perspectives on Choice - Hakim emphasizes women's agency in choosing to monetize their looks/sexuality, especially when other avenues (like entry-level jobs) are poorly paid. Salami argues that this 'choice' is complicated by patriarchal control and the fear men have of female sexual autonomy, while Khalidi suggests the financial incentive often overrides moral concerns for creators. ![Screenshot at 0:01: Panelists Catherine Hakim \(far left, light blue jacket\), Sarah Wilson \(host, center left\), Minna Salami \(center right, blue top\), and Farha Khalidi \(far right, red jacket\) seated on stage.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yuwG2h5WAXA/00-00-01.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:56: Host Sarah Wilson reads a question to the panel: 'What is it that we fear about erotic power?'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yuwG2h5WAXA/00-00-56.jpg) ![Screenshot at 2:18: Catherine Hakim \(Sociologist\) speaks about how men like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo make millions monetizing their attractiveness, while women are often penalized for doing the same.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yuwG2h5WAXA/00-02-18.jpg) ![Screenshot at 4:15: Minna Salami responds to the fear of female erotic power, noting that it is a fear held by men who feel they are losing control.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yuwG2h5WAXA/00-04-15.jpg) ![Screenshot at 6:09: Farha Khalidi discusses the backlash OnlyFans creators receive, citing examples where women were criticized for leveraging sexuality that men were celebrated for.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/yuwG2h5WAXA/00-06-09.jpg)