The term “sugar daddy” can be taken as a lighthearted joke, but it can also denote a twisted and exploitative form of relationship. The popularity of websites such as Seeking Arrangement has given rise to a subculture of women (known as “sugar babies”) seeking rich older men (known as “sugar daddies”) who give them money and presents in exchange for company, affection, and usually sex. Whether the relationship is mutually beneficial or harmful, it is a reality for many young women who feel pressure to find a “sugardaddy singapore” due to their lack of financial independence. 

According to the site’s own statistics, there are over 10 million members who have signed up for their service. While the majority of these members are male, women make up about 40% of the population. Approximately 60% of these users are college students, with 30% being female students. The site offers its members the ability to search by state, school or major and has a verification system to ensure the integrity of its user base. In addition to providing financial support, sugar babies are often provided with a mentor who can help them with their studies and career path. 

While the idea of a young woman selling her body to an older man might seem appalling, it has become the norm for a new generation raised on Fifty Shades of Grey and reality television. It is a reality that has been normalized to the point where it is now expected for upper class older men to seek out younger women and for millennials to enter into these kinds of relationships, regardless of their morals or ethics. 

A young woman named Ella, who asked to be anonymous, told Kwantlen Polytechnic’s The Runner that she started selling her nudes to a man on the website Bandcamp, where her music is sold. She said that she received $100 a photo, which is what she considered to be a reasonable rate. She was surprised when he asked for more photos, but she refused as it made her uncomfortable. 

Some sugar babies receive a set amount of monthly allowance from their “sugar daddies,” while others are paid on a date-by-date basis. These allowances can include anything from hand-holding to a full sexual encounter. Most of the time, however, the relationship focuses on sex and companionship rather than on a monetary transaction. 

Despite the popularity of these sites, sugar daddy app Singapore and the countless advertisements that fill the internet, most people are shocked to learn about the prevalence of this dating phenomenon when they first hear about it. They may think that the concept of a “sugar daddy” is absurd, but it has been growing in popularity and legitimacy since its inception in 2006. In fact, Merriam-Webster has officially added it to their list of acceptable slang. Despite these concerns, the relationship can be beneficial to both parties and allows for the financial freedom that is often hard for young adults to achieve on their own.