A few weeks ago, I satirized the lengths to which some universities would go in order to fill their enrollments with this post. However, it seems that private enterprise has moved into the process. According to the staid old Miami Herald, needy college students in significant numbers have signed up to be "companions" of older men referred to as "sugar daddies" in order to make ends meet with increasing college costs. What form this companionship may take is not specified.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/14/3182534/florida-colleges-rank-high-in.html
Specifically, this web site is the one mentioned where they may do so. According to the Miami Herald article, numbers especially at Georgia State, New York University, Temple University, the University of Central Florida, and the University of South Florida have signed up for a "mutually beneficial" service to help defer college costs. I'll bet that this article raised a lot of curiosity about the local participants!
I'm sure that some men go into these companionships with solely altruistic motives, but reading the web site of the organization suggests that some of the young women participants have great financial needs or wishes; specifically in the listings they allude to "expectations." Some have regal expectations of upwards of $5,000 a month; but most have modest expectations at around $2,000 per month.
This sort of arrangement is very much like that of the lorettes in the demi-monde of Paris in the 19th century. Lorettes, in 19th century Paris, were kept women who were maintained by the haut bourgeoise, not quite of the same level as courtesans, but definitely better off than the streetwalkers. They lived in style until they aged. Some of these women of pleasure managed well; many did not.
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/hist255-s01/courtesans/lorette.htm
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/14/3182534/florida-colleges-rank-high-in.html
Specifically, this web site is the one mentioned where they may do so. According to the Miami Herald article, numbers especially at Georgia State, New York University, Temple University, the University of Central Florida, and the University of South Florida have signed up for a "mutually beneficial" service to help defer college costs. I'll bet that this article raised a lot of curiosity about the local participants!
I'm sure that some men go into these companionships with solely altruistic motives, but reading the web site of the organization suggests that some of the young women participants have great financial needs or wishes; specifically in the listings they allude to "expectations." Some have regal expectations of upwards of $5,000 a month; but most have modest expectations at around $2,000 per month.
This sort of arrangement is very much like that of the lorettes in the demi-monde of Paris in the 19th century. Lorettes, in 19th century Paris, were kept women who were maintained by the haut bourgeoise, not quite of the same level as courtesans, but definitely better off than the streetwalkers. They lived in style until they aged. Some of these women of pleasure managed well; many did not.
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/hist255-s01/courtesans/lorette.htm
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| Lorette and Her Relaxed Client |
Well, if student loans are drying up and tuition costs are skyrocketing, I guess this is what we've come to. It's sad, but it does make for an interesting historical comparison. Interesting post!
ReplyDeletei missed my chance. :)
ReplyDeleteSo is "lorette" a euphemism for "kept woman" or mistress?
ReplyDeleteA few students have apparently signed up for this service with nary a lot of ado.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's easy money for some, with very little work.
ReplyDeleteWho did the drawing.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for education but HOW much a month?!
ReplyDeleteIt would be cheeper to marry one for the short haul.
ReplyDelete