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The Earning and Spending Habits of Male Sex Workers in Lima, Peru

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  • Paul E. George
  • Juan Carlos Bazo-Alvarez
  • Angela M. Bayer

Abstract

Over the past decade, data have identified male sex work as a potentially viable economic decision; despite this, male sex workers (MSWs) continue to be perceived as group with access to few assets and resources. Using data from a pilot skills–building intervention for MSWs in Lima, Peru, an analysis of the economic characteristics of 209 MSWs is presented. The majority reported livable incomes with median earnings of US$250 per month, 83% earning above the urban poverty line. Interestingly, non-sex work was also an important source of income, especially for the high-earning MSWs. Spending data revealed that a large portion of income went to necessities (55%), luxuries (11%), and gifts (11%), with less toward savings (5%) and studies (1%). Such data on MSWs’ earnings and spending, which suggest that a lack of overall income is not the MSW’s main impediment to escaping poverty, could direct future poverty alleviation and health improvement programs in this key population.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul E. George & Juan Carlos Bazo-Alvarez & Angela M. Bayer, 2018. "The Earning and Spending Habits of Male Sex Workers in Lima, Peru," SAGE Open, , vol. 8(1), pages 21582440177, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:8:y:2018:i:1:p:2158244017753046
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244017753046
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    1. Sarah Baird & Jacobus de Hoop & Berk Özler, 2013. "Income Shocks and Adolescent Mental Health," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 48(2), pages 370-403.
    2. de Walque, Damien & Dow, William H & Nathan, Rose & Abdul, Ramadhani & Abilahi, Faraji & Gong, Erick & Isdahl, Zachary & Jamison, Julian & Jullu, Boniphace & Krishnan, Suneeta & Majura, Albert & Migue, 2012. "Incentivising safe sex: a randomised trial of conditional cash transfers for HIV and sexually transmitted infection prevention in rural Tanzania," Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt4vw984q0, Department of Economics, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley.
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    1. Turner, Caitlin M. & Arayasirikul, Sean & Wilson, Erin C., 2021. "Disparities in HIV-related risk and socio-economic outcomes among trans women in the sex trade and effects of a targeted, anti-sex-trafficking policy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).

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