Are Sugar Daddies Legal?

The search for a missing Washington toddler has taken a strange turn--into sugar daddy land. The boy's mother, Julia Biryukova, had posted on seekingarrangement.com, a site used by those seeking a sugar daddy (or baby) soul mate.

Police are now questioning the site's owner about the case, hoping to find information on possible kidnapping suspects. But Biryukova's use of the website raises one other question:

Are sugar daddies legal?

For starters, some sugar daddies are expected to provide their younger, and probably hotter, "sugar babies," with monthly gifts and an allowance. Julia Biryukova requested $3,000 to $5,000 a month, according to CNN.

When money and lavish gifts are involved, there are questions about prostitution.

A sugar daddy relationship becomes prostitution when there is a specific agreement to exchange cash or material possessions for sex. That agreement usually must be explicit and consummate almost immediately.

Which is why most sugar daddies are legal. Couples tend to arrange their relationships so sex is not an explicit or dominant requirement. Instead, they agree to social events, companionship and compensation.

This doesn't mean that sex is never part of the relationship. It's just not a primary motivation or consideration. Sugar daddies are often looking for the status and ego boost associated with romancing a young woman. They can usually get sex for much cheaper.

Though sugar daddies are legal, they may not be the best use of resources. Such relationships can easily cross the line, and prostitution isn't something you want on your record.

Related Resources: