Paying for Sex During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experiences of Israeli Men

Constructing Identity Through Sex-Consumption: The Consumerist Narratives of Israeli Men Who Pay Women for Sex

This study examined how consumerism shapes the identity construction processes of Israeli men who pay women for sex (MPWS). Using the theoretical framework of symbolic interaction and the theoretical concept of extended self, we explored how Israeli MPWS extend their selves through sex-consumption. To this end, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 23 Israeli MPWS. An interpretive epistemology and a constructivist grounded theory methodology guided the data-analysis. We conceptualized three dynamics of self-identity construction processes through sex-consumption: Extending the self through assimilation of products or experiences, Extending the self through the purchasing process, and Extending the self through consuming the imagined. The findings revealed a complex process, whereby MPWS attribute various and contradictory meanings to their possessions, their consumerist experiences, and their purchasing processes. We conclude that consumerism is central to the meanings that MPWS attribute to their engagement in the sex industry. Thus, the theoretical framework of consumerism should be further applied to future studies in this field in order to gain a nuanced and deeper understanding of MPWS and the phenomenon of sex consumption.

Impact of conflict and pandemic on women's health in Latin America: implementation to improve equity in the provision and access to safe obstetric anesthesia

Latin America is one of the regions with the most significant inequalities in women's health as a result of factors such as social disparity, lack of work opportunities, unemployment, violence, and corruption. Adding a health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic to these elements created a perfect storm that perpetuated extreme inequalities. The crisis negatively impacted Latin-American women, and economic recession in our region was one of the main consequences, resulting in women compared with men having higher rates of poverty, poorer access to and experience of healthcare, a wider gender gap, and adverse effects on well-being. This consequently made women more vulnerable. Several initiatives to allow better access and to provide safe anesthesia to pregnant patients have been taken in the region to improve obstetric patient care during the pandemic and beyond. Education has been pivotal and one of the most essential tools in bridging the gap in inequalities between men and women.

Struggling, Forgotten, and Under Pressure: A Scoping Review of Experiences of Sex Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected physical, mental, and economic well-being across the globe and has disproportionately affected certain vulnerable groups. This paper provides a scoping review of literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sex workers, published between December 2019 and December 2022. Six databases were systematically searched, identifying 1009 citations; 63 studies were included in the review. Thematic analysis revealed eight main themes: financial issues; exposure to harm; alternate ways of working; COVID-19 knowledge, protective behaviors, fear, and risk; well-being, mental health, and coping; access to support; access to health care; and the impact of COVID-19 on research with sex workers. COVID-associated restrictions led to reduced work and income, leaving many sex workers struggling to cover basic needs; additionally, government protections excluded those working in the informal economy. Fearing the loss of their already reduced number of clients, many felt compelled to compromise both prices and protective measures. Although some engaged in online sex work, this raised concerns about visibility and was impossible for those without technological access or skills. Many feared COVID-19, but felt pressure to continue working, often with clients who refused to wear masks or share exposure history. Other negative impacts on well-being related to the pandemic included reduced access to financial support or health care. Marginalized populations (and especially those in professions which require close contact like sex workers) need further support and capacity-building within the community to recover from the impact of COVID-19.

Identity Construction of Men Who Pay Women for Sex: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

This interpretive qualitative meta-synthesis (QMS) aims to systematically review what we know about identity construction of men who pay women for sex (MPWS). A corpus of 54 qualitative studies about the experiences and perceptions of MPWS was synthesized, using the theoretical framework of symbolic interaction and QMS guidelines. This synthesis yielded novel insights into the meanings that MPWS attribute to their involvement in the sex industry, within a range of interpersonal interactions and social discourses. We identified and expanded on six social discourses that affect the identity construction of MPWS: sexuality; intimacy; consumerism; power; deviancy and normativity; and masculinity. The findings demonstrate that paying for sex (and in particular, the stigma associated with it) permeates many life spheres of MPWS, and affects their gendered, sexual, cultural, intimate, consumerist and social identities, and self-perceptions. The discussion centers on four major understandings derived from the QMS: paying for sex is central to the lives of MPWS; paying for sex generates conflict in the identities of MPWS; discourses of masculinity are prominent in the identity construction processes of MPWS; and the literature on MPWS needs further social and cultural contextualization. These understandings have profound implications for sex-industry-related policy and social interventions.