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Would you think about doing sex for money? Structure and agency in deciding to sell sex in Canada

Author

Listed:
  • Cecilia Benoit

    (University of Victoria, Canada)

  • Nadia Ouellet

    (University of Victoria, Canada)

  • Mikael Jansson

    (University of Victoria, Canada)

  • Samantha Magnus

    (University of Victoria, Canada)

  • Michaela Smith

    (University of Victoria, Canada)

Abstract

Entry into sex work is not typically considered as an occupational choice comparable to entry into other jobs. In the sex work literature, initiation is often thought to occur through predisposing factors deep in the structure of society, including childhood disadvantage, abuse and neglect. Some studies have also identified need for money as the main reason for entry, while others document entry due to a desire for more disposable income. Few studies have focused on agency-level factors guiding entry, including seeing sex work as a viable career or professional choice. Analysis of data from interviews with a purposive multi-gender sample ( N = 218) reveals the multiple reasons for entry into sex work in Canada. Participants identified three overlapping structural and agentic reasons for entry: critical life events; desire or need for money; and personal appeal of the work. These findings are discussed in light of the occupational choice and sex work literatures.

Suggested Citation

  • Cecilia Benoit & Nadia Ouellet & Mikael Jansson & Samantha Magnus & Michaela Smith, 2017. "Would you think about doing sex for money? Structure and agency in deciding to sell sex in Canada," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 31(5), pages 731-747, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:31:y:2017:i:5:p:731-747
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017016679331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stoltz, Jo-Anne Madeleine & Shannon, Kate & Kerr, Thomas & Zhang, Ruth & Montaner, Julio S. & Wood, Evan, 2007. "Associations between childhood maltreatment and sex work in a cohort of drug-using youth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(6), pages 1214-1221, September.
    2. Abel, Gillian M., 2011. "Different stage, different performance: The protective strategy of role play on emotional health in sex work," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(7), pages 1177-1184, April.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Tuulia Law & Menaka Raguparan, 2020. "‘It’s a Puzzle You Have to Do Every Night’: Performing Creative Problem Solving at Work in the Indoor Canadian Sex Industry," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 34(3), pages 424-440, June.
    2. Bill McCarthy & Mikael Jansson & Cecilia Benoit, 2021. "Job Attributes and Mental Health: A Comparative Study of Sex Work and Hairstyling," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-21, January.
    3. Treena Orchard & Katherine Salter & Mary Bunch & Cecilia Benoit, 2020. "Money, Agency, and Self-Care among Cisgender and Trans People in Sex Work," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Cecilia Benoit, 2021. "Editorial: Understanding Exploitation in Consensual Sex Work to Inform Occupational Health & Safety Regulation: Current Issues and Policy Implications," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-9, June.
    5. Treloar, Carla & Stardust, Zahra & Cama, Elena & Kim, Jules, 2021. "Rethinking the relationship between sex work, mental health and stigma: a qualitative study of sex workers in Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).

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