Authors: Sunny Jiao & Vicky Bungay
Publication: The Journal of Sex Research
Volume: 56, 2019
Issue: 4-5
What we know
Sex work includes men, however they are very under researched.
Men engaged in sex work experience significant stigma that can have devastating effects for their mental health, however, they also have many strengths and challenges when it comes to navigating these effects. Our research looked at how Canadian men engaged in sex work navigate and resist stigma to protect their mental health.
What we discovered
Men engaged in sex work experience significant stigma that negatively affects their social supports and ability to develop and maintain noncommercial, romantic relationships. Some men navigated this stigma by isolating themselves while others resisted isolation by “outing” themselves to their loved ones. Men also developed other strategies to create a sense of control over their interactions, such as maintaining boundaries with clients and communicating their positive self-worth.
Capacity to resist internalizing stigma varied based on men’s perspectives of sex work as a career versus a forced source of income.
What we recommend
Programming to promote men’s mental health must take into consideration men’s diverse strategies for protecting their mental health and serve to build social supports.
