TFP is it real - or just the new way

So i have been speaking with many different photographers and models over the past few weeks both Australian and internationally. the key point to our conversation was is TFP. is TFP as we know it today a real thing or have the photographers and models abused this term to the point of hey lets shoot without any real gain from either side.

TFP = Time For Print or Take Free Photos

the original concept behind tfp as agreed by most is simply for both parties to gain something they can both use, something valuable towards each others portfolio. but how is doing the same styled shoots just in different locations or with a different model valuable ? frankly its not.

photographers or people with really good cameras again this term is thrown around if you have a camera but make no financial gain from taking photos are you in fact a photographer or are you a hobbyist ? or have a strong passion for photography but don't fit the bill of being a photographer. a question only individual people can ask.

models or people happy to stand in front of a camera provided they have makeup and hair and styling ( again all tfp ) what classes a person as a model? is it looks, is it originality, or is it having a uniqueness and rareness others don't have that is good enough for financial gain. again who is the judge of this.

do models and photographers saturate the market, as a model do you make your self available to every person with a camera just because they say hey i have times available for a beach shoot tfp? same with a photographer do you make your self available simply because you have been asked and aren't making enough or any money in photography so you figure may aswell.

just because you have a lot of images by many photographers that you did tfp for doesn't make you a successful model and just because you have many photoshoots that you did as tfp doesn't make you a photographer.

its a interesting thing its also a questionable one is tfp actually what it traditionally stands for or has it been used so much its the first point of call when shooting.