Sex Work Research and Articles...

November 6, 2023 11:49 AM

I am writing a paper for a sexuality course for a clinical psychology masters program. My topic is Sex Work. Not sure where to begin with my research. I am getting two books to read Playing the Whore and Sex Work Matters

I would like to specifically focus on treatment methods and interventions and how sex work is viewed by people from diverse races, cultures, social classes, genders and sexual orientations.

Looking for on-line articles and/or websites where I can go deeper into this subject

posted by goalyeehah to Society & Culture (11 answers total)

Best answer: If you're in a master's program, the institution has a library, with librarians.

Go talk to a librarian. This is what we are for.
posted by humbug at 12:23 PM on November 6, 2023 [19 favorites]

Best answer: Yeah, talk to a librarian, and if you aren't sure which librarian (I'd see if you have a gender and women's studies librarian), the front desk should be able to help you. Likewise, your advisor.
posted by coffeecat at 12:34 PM on November 6, 2023 [4 favorites]

Definitely talk to a librarian.

But also read Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight for Sex Workers' Rights by Molly Smith and Juno Mac for (UK based) commentary on sex work. Also a UK resource: SWARM, or the Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement.
posted by fight or flight at 12:49 PM on November 6, 2023 [5 favorites]

John Preston's Hustling: A Gentleman's Guide to the Fine Art of Homosexual Prostitution was republished in the 90s, with the original being somewhat earlier. It deals with sex work in the gay community before and during the AIDS crisis, and is focused on practical aspects including money management and maintaining relationships. It probably has a significantly different tone than you are looking for, but it might provide some useful balance.

Carol Queen also wrote some things about sex work from the point of view of an unapologetic but also critical sex worker. I think a bunch of them were published in Real Live Nude Girl, which also deals generally with sex in American culture in the 90s.
posted by GenjiandProust at 1:53 PM on November 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

The books suggested are fine but ultimately they are commentary for a general audience rather than research, are all over a decade old, citing papers even older than that. Here is a link to a researcher active in this area, and here is another one, that should give you some idea of who is conducting the current research around this topic and which publications they are publishing in.
posted by Ardnamurchan at 3:03 PM on November 6, 2023 [5 favorites]

Seconding "Revolting Prostitutes."

I'm not sure why you're focusing on "treatment methods" as sex work is a type of labor, not a disorder or a disease, so this is strange framing to start a project with.
posted by cboggs at 4:17 PM on November 6, 2023 [4 favorites]

Response by poster: cboggs, I agree and thought the same. Am speaking with instructor about this
posted by goalyeehah at 4:39 PM on November 6, 2023 [2 favorites]

Sex work is legal in my jurisdiction which flips a lot of dialogue around the industry.
You might find some useful material on the Scarlet Alliance website.
posted by Thella at 8:34 PM on November 6, 2023

. . . is viewed by people from diverse races, cultures, social classes, genders and sexual orientations.
Fern Brady, Scots stand-up comic, podcaster and writer worked as a stripper while at college in the 00s. Her adventures as a sex-worker are covered in Ch8&9 of her 2023 autobiography Strong Female Character. Years later she was diagnosed with autism and theorized that might fit a number of her co-workers back then.
posted by BobTheScientist at 2:46 AM on November 7, 2023

Strong recommend for Working It: Sex Workers on the Work of Sex, edited by Matilda Bickers, peech breshears, and Janis Luna. Offers important perspectives on how sex work is viewed by people who do sex work
posted by Hopeful and Cynical at 6:16 AM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]

Whores of Yore (Kate Lister)

She also wrote a book.
posted by Violet Hour at 11:58 PM on November 8, 2023