Health
Volume 13, Issue 1, 2009, Pages 25-46

Intimate relationships and women involved in the sex trade: Perceptions and experiences of inclusion and exclusion (Article)

Jackson L.A. , Augusta-Scott T. , Burwash-Brennan M. , Karabanow J. , Robertson K. , Sowinski B.
  • a Dalhousie University, Canada, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, 6230 South Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3J5, Canada
  • b Bridges, Canada
  • c Bridges, Canada
  • d Dalhousie University, Canada
  • e Dalhousie University, Canada
  • f Darmourth General Hospital, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Canada

Abstract

This article reports on a qualitative study exploring the intimate (non-work) relationships of women involved in the sex trade. Women working in the sex industry and intimate partners of women in the industry were interviewed in order to understand how intimate relationships are perceived as influencing the women's general health and well-being. The research suggests that intimate relationships can, and do, provide a space for feelings of inclusion and safety that are perceived as positive forces in women's general health and well-being. At the same time, however, feelings and experiences of exclusion (fuelled by the dominant stigmatizing discourse related to prostitution) can enter into intimate relationships, and are perceived as having a negative impact on the women's well-being, particularly their emotional health. Although there are attempts to keep the women's work separate from the intimate relationship, cross-over between the two spheres does occur. The research suggests that health care and service providers need to look beyond the women's working lives, and understand the relationships between work and home, as well as the ways in which intimate relationships can influence women's lives and health through both positive and negative forces. © 2009 SAGE Publications.

Author Keywords

Sex Industry social inclusion/exclusion Women Health and well-being

Index Keywords

information processing perception social psychology Interpersonal Relations psychological aspect Stereotyping mental health human social isolation sexuality Sexual Partners qualitative research human relation interview Young Adult Humans male Canada Interviews as Topic female prostitution women's health Article Behavioral research adult Social Facilitation Social Perception Focus Groups social behavior
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-58049135915&doi=10.1177%2f1363459308097359&partnerID=40&md5=abe6c40ae18bafeb883c3a53ca35cbfa
DOI: 10.1177/1363459308097359
ISSN: 13634593
Cited by: 24
Original Language: English