According to the dictionary: Ethics are considered the moral standards by which people judge behavior. However, the definition of what constitutes having “good” ethics in today’s society is often debated. Debated indeed. What’s right for you and what’s right for me are very different things. Our reasoning, background, education and personal experience all leave an imprint on the way we view life, here specifically sex. I’ve often asked myself if it’s ethical to describe my personal website with a glowing reflection, or as seeming highly attractive. And I believe if my experience does fall into the wrong places without proper reasoning and education, it really isn’t ethical of me.

So, I ask you to heavily rely on your own instincts when creating your business. By simply drawing the line somewhere you are taking responsibility for the future of your business and your experience. You may not know exactly how life will change when undertaking this new endeavor, but for the most part, you know where to draw the line. If you aren’t sure where to draw your line in the adult industry, play it safe. Pull it back and make sure you’re totally ready for everything lying ahead of that line. You can explore carefully later. But for now, find a place that allows every part of your morals, values, ethics, and beliefs to be satisfied.

I’ll make a strong note that no matter how justified and comfortable you are with your ethics, someone else will have had a different experience and you should be ready to back up your view. You may not win them over, but as long as you stick to the moral high ground by staying true to yourself you can’t go wrong.

I always tell myself that at the end of the day, ‘they’ are not the ones that have to live with my decisions. You are the one that needs to sleep well at night, knowing you’ve made a conscience effort to better your life, your health, and your heart. Being honest, and respecting your feelings and instincts is important. Realizing you will have an effect on many people is another thing to come to terms with.

I’d say the most influential pieces of life can lie in family, friends, your education system, or any religious affiliations. All four can have unique and often conflicting beliefs about what’s right and wrong for you. Realistically, it’s simply all information you should take under advisement. Mull it over. If you worry a lot about what these groups will think of you, then adhere and do what’s best for you. Also, if you’re convinced a job in the sex industry will cause people to view you negatively, you might be surprised. It may also be an important time to network with some new, like-minded friends.

My final note is that there should be a lot of internal reflection going on before you know what type of career and lifestyle are right for you. People often change their mind and shift gears throughout their lifetimes. The groups you are surrounded by will have opinions, and it’s up to you to decide how much they mean to you, and how honestly they reflect who you want to be. I think if you can sleep well at night, knowing what you’re doing is stimulating and fulfilling you have a strong structure within yourself to rely on when making these gut decisions.

Important Resources:

• Your Family
• Your Friends
• An Objective Viewpoint (Such as a psychologist, or mentor)
• Your own heart

Read up on ethics from all sides of the spectrum (feminist, religious, sex-positive, etc)…