Controversial...yes?

[MissBlue]

i'm astonished that this is still spoken of, reported on, etc. as if it's something shocking, or new, or unique to Jamaica or the Caribbean -- gigolos are as old as the hills.... although 'sex tourism' (or 'romance tourism' as this author uses) is the newest name for it, this is the same old story that's been going on for decades, over many generations. Happens all over the world, although the gigolos in Italy, France, and Greece have elevated it to legendary levels and have come to be somewhat of a romanticized cliche -- movies have been made about them.

not saying i think it's right, nor do i feel it's necessarily consentual... my personal feelings about it are in line with Rob's as he mentions above- I.E. the playing field is, most times, not level. And no matter how 'consenting' people make it out to be, there is an element of desperation and exploitation that creeps in no matter how you slice it -- but nonetheless what goes on in JA and the Caribbean is only a relative newcomer to this well-known, commonly practiced game.