Women gone wild: Sex tourism in Africa

Getty ImagesSex tourism is usually associated with creepy guys and pedophiles, but it seems skeevy women have recently been getting in on the act, too. Apparently, Kenya is all the rage for (mostly Euro) ladies in their autumn years to pick up hot young African studs who are more than willing to hang out in exchange for the riches these women bestow on them (in the form of new clothes and free booze and food). While some of these women claim at best, everyone's all innocently having a fabulous time--"It's a social arrangement. I buy him a nice shirt and we go out for dinner. For as long as he stays with me he doesn't pay for anything, and I get what I want, a good time. How is that different from a man buying a young girl dinner?"--at worst, the scenario is mutually exploitative. Of course, not everyone is admitting that sex is part of the bargain, but well, it's obvious to all involved. "It's not evil," said Jake Grieves-Cook, chairman of the Kenya Tourist Board, when asked about the practice of older rich women traveling for sex with young Kenyan men.

"But it's certainly something we frown upon."-Reuters

Jeez, what the heck ever happened to going on a good old fashioned safari? There are so many elements of this scenario (AIDS, exploitation...) that fill me with what Reuter's calls a "vague unease," and please don't accuse me of being a crappy feminist for frowning upon the practice. Yes, women should feel free and comfortable to exercise their sexuality, but I don't support men who go off on so-called sex safaris either, and to be completely honest, I'm not too wild about old men robbing the cradle. (Maybe that means I don't love cougars? I'll have to think about that some more.) Then again, it's slightly different for women: After all, your average lady can't physically dominate or cause bodily harm to a male. Still, in the situation where poverty is a major factor, it's her financial prowess that puts her in the position of power. Maybe they should just open up one of those Hedonism vacation packages to elders. That might even out the playing fields.

What do you think? Is sex tourism between consensual adults okay?