Men accepting rewards for sex, sexual content and performance: A qualitative study of the health and wellbeing needs of 'male sex workers'

Turner, Kevin

Abstract

Background
Male sex workers continue to be underrepresented in both the academic literature and across health care provision. Previous attempts to address health and wellbeing needs are limited to a sexual health focus or are based on the comparative needs of female street-based counterparts. The aim of this qualitative study is to investigate the health and wellbeing needs of men working across a variety of sex industry platforms.

Methods
A lived experience group informed the research project from conception to dissemination. Men aged 18 or over, who were based in the United Kingdom (UK) and were active or had previous experience of accepting rewards for sex were recruited to participate in online semi-structured interviews using Zoom video-conferencing software. Interviews were audio-recorded and later transcribed with collected data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results
14 participants were included in the study. Within the developed themes participants spoke about (1) ‘Bridging the Gap’ between how male sex workers are perceived and their own lived experiences, (2) ‘Tools of the Trade’ which functioned as resources to assist with; performance, developing and maintaining a good reputation within the industry, safety, and (3) ‘Silent Suffering’ through an absence of services or wider sense of community to support their wellbeing needs . Data analysis informed recommendations for future health and wellbeing efforts to consider, such as access to peer support and culturally competent services.

Conclusion
This study has surfaced new language which reflects the modernisation of sex work and the way and which men accepting rewards embody their identities and navigation within it. This focus on lived realities highlights unique insights that cannot otherwise be inferred from existing stereotypes of sex work. This encourages ongoing engagement with men accepting rewards that results in clearer understandings of need and improved provision of support services.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Feb 5, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 19, 2024
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11658596
• Award Date: Aug 19, 2024