​PART-TIME GIRLFRIEND AS EMOTIONAL LABOR

Background

PTGF (part-time girlfriend) is a new terminology in Hong Kong. It is similar to Enjo kōsai (compensated dating) which women are paid for men’s companionship or sometimes sexual favors. However, many PTGF try to differentiate themselves from prostitute, by the fact that most of them do not provide sexual services but an experience of intimacy. The issue immediately goes viral on the Internet after coverage on mainstream media. Debates regarding legitimacy of women’s rights on using her own body according to their will caught our attention. Besides, public’s perspective and value towards sexual-related industry vary greatly and stereotypes could be commonly found in their discourses. Whether PTGF should be considered as one’s empowerment or abuse remains controversial.