 |
| Please note runs activities are not limited to females alone. |
To be frank, the phenomena is nothing new it has been occurring across the globe since time began. It has however evolved in terms of what those engaging in it consider it to be.
In today's world, we are shrouded in a climate of uncertainty hence a demand for multiple streams of income. We also have a growing selection of lifestyle choices and wish to consume more than ever before. For some to achieve this, the aristo phenomena serves as a perfect solution.
Definition
The term 'aristo' originates from the term Aristocrat.
Aristocrat: A privileged, primarily hereditary ruling class, or a form of government controlled by an elite. Traditionally aristocrats had large concentrations of wealth, high social status, and political influence.
Viewing the definition it is pretty obvious why Nigerians use the term when referring to individuals who engage in transactional sex. Escorts and call girls are not exempt. Some may deem one more derogatory than the other but in hindsight they all fall under the umbrella of prostitution - on the grounds that individuals use their bodies as a commodity in exchange for material gains or monetary gifts.
It is not uncommon in Lagos. Go to any nightclub and you will see they are writhing with 'runs girls' the classy and local alike who label themselves as hustlers. For those on the receiving end (who are usually married), it's simply a way of life.
The Driving Force
My initial belief was that individuals who engaged in transactional sex saw it as a means to an end you know, kind of like their last resort. I read of sex workers in Thailand and Gambia, few possessed tertiary level qualifications and the majority of clients were holiday makers.
On the flip-side it appears an increasing number of females educated to tertiary level and beyond are choosing to sell their bodies behind closed doors. With reference to British-born Nigerians in particular, some have relocated to Lagos and become 'big girls' using their proceeds to establish a range of entrepreneurial ventures from salons, to boutiques, cosmetic lines, and real estate companies. I hear some indulge for a fixed period until they have made enough to achieve a set of goals, some alongside a nine to five to supplement their income, and others to fund school fees.
What I found most interesting though was the individuals who appeared to be from affluent families. They didn't need to sell their bodies but still did in exchange for shopping trips, the latest phone or a vacation. That made me question if they were genuinely from well off backgrounds, or if they just did it for the thrill? Perhaps they didn't want to be seen as a liability relying on parents for financial assistance. Maybe they felt too proud to ask.
But...
If you possess multiple degrees then subject yourself to the same activities as an individual who did not have access to higher education, that defeats the whole object of your schooling. It’s better for you to not have any form of tertiary education and choose to live a certain lifestyle because of the impression that there is no other way out, rather than make a conscious choice to sell your body to obtain a certain lifestyle, bearing in mind that attending university is not only supposed to provide a qualification but a stepping stone to employment, cultural exposure and some form of enlightenment.
Is It Sustainable?
The oil market in Nigeria recently went through a rocky patch and I'm not quite sure if that patch is completely over. Friends who had shares in the commodity were not amused and I'm glad that corporations have finally received their rude awakening, realising that oil production is not sustainable. Why? Because Crude oil is a fossil fuel and fossil fuels are a non- renewable energy source that cannot be replaced and will eventually be depleted.
In the same way, prostitution in itself can never provide a sustainable income. I remember getting my hair done at a salon opposite a hotel, in a public display, it looked like the manager was chastising one of the girls for rent she was owing. The girl pleaded 'I no get customer now, no market...I tire'.
You can generate quick income from prostitution but it will probably be used for consuming more material items or lodging at five-star international hotels. Some are lucky enough to get their rent paid for a year and bag a jeep in the process, although I do wonder if these individuals stop to ask themselves 'what am I actually gaining from this?'
I hear of UK graduates turning down retail jobs because they are viewed as low-status or not linked to their subject of study. However, there a number of decent paying retail jobs with worthy progression prospects take; John Lewis or NET- A- PORTER for example. On the other hand, the economic market in Nigeria is harsh, there only the fittest survive but if you have a vision and persevere you can make your dreams a reality (just ask Linda Ikeji)
I am aware that graduate employment is an issue in both in the developed and developing world but how much does it cost to develop a business plan?
I am aware that graduate employment is an issue in both in the developed and developing world but how much does it cost to develop a business plan?
