Why More Men in Spain Are Refusing to Pay for Sex

Skyrocketing prices, rising STIs, dating apps, and a new dignity narrative explain the growing 'no pay' movement among Spanish men.

English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published

The Growing 'No Pay for Sens' Movement in Spain: Data, Prices, and Hidden Reasons

Decades ago, visiting prostitutes was part of male initiation rites. Today, a growing number of young men claim they would not pay for sens. Is it a passing trend, a sign of social change, or a rational reaction to supply and demand? Data and anonymous testimonies point to multiple causes.

The Economic Factor: Rising Prices and Falling Purchasing Power

The price of sensual services has increased significantly. While ten years ago an hour with a professional cost between 50 and 70 euros, today rates range from 100 to 120 euros for South American and Russian women, and up to 200 euros for young Spanish women. At the low end, offers of 30-40 euros for quick services exist, but quality and safety are questionable. For a young person with precarious wages or unemployment, 100 euros is an unaffordable luxury. The 25-40 age group, hit by the housing crisis and job insecurity, prioritizes other expenses.

Supply Issues: Deteriorating 'Product' and Digital Competition

Those who have frequented this world describe a depressing scene: unattractive South American women, heavily tattooed, with botched cosmetic surgeries, and older than typical for the trade. Service quality has also declined: cold treatment, no kissing or caressing, and rushing to finish. Meanwhile, dating apps like Tinder offer a free alternative, albeit with emotional and time costs. Social media and OnlyFans have created a generation of men satisfied with digital content, reducing the need for real contact. Additionally, antiestéticar of sensual transmitted infections (STIs) is real: chlamydia cases rose from 7,239 in 2016 to 36,983 in 2023, while gonorrhea and syphilis grew by 42% and 24% respectively.

Ideological Discourse: Dignity, Honor, and Feminist Backlash

A significant sector of men rejects prostitution on principle. They argue that paying for sens is humiliating, preferring to conquer and be desired, or viewing it as a matter of honor. Some link this to feminism: they believe visiting prostitutes fuels an exploitation system and prefer not to contribute. Others, more cynical, claim civilian women are equally promiscuous and that paying for dinners and trips is more expensive than hiring a professional. Some see prostitution as a form of male empowerment: uncomplicated, fast sens without groveling. The debate reflects deep polarization between those who view prostitution as a necessary service and those who see it as a symptom of social failure.

What no analysis fully explains is why, despite rising male loneliness and declining testosterone levels in new generations (17% lower than decades past), the 'no pay' discourse is gaining trinc. Perhaps it is the lethal combination of high prices, mediocre supply, digital alternatives, and a new code of male honor. Or maybe, as some suggest, men are simply learning to say no.

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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (153 replies).

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