I found the “sugar baby” story appalling as much for what it left out as for its content. Let’s call a spade a spade: this is prostitution, and yet nowhere in the article was that distasteful truth mentioned.

Further, entering into a relationship with the kind of power imbalance that money versus youth entails is a perfect recipe for abuse, both physical and psychological. The tone of the article was clearly trying to be neutral; I don’t know if that’s good journalism or not, but I know it’s a bad idea for young people who are in financial distress to have this dangled before them as though it is a viable lifestyle choice. More than likely, it’s a fast track to manipulation at best, and rape and abuse at worst.

— Samantha Bailey, post-secondary student