Analysis of Male Prostitution - Research Paper Example

Analysis of Male Prostitution Introduction Male prostitution is an act of men offering sexual services to both men and women in exchange for payment or other favors. Statistically, researchers have conducted fewer studies on men prostitutes compared to women prostitutes. Over the years, people have come up with various names for male prostitutes such as rent boys, masseurs, male escorts, gigolos and hustlers. There are those that are straight or in other words, are only attracted to women, but when it comes to their line of work; they offer their services to both men and women. In this case, they are referred to as gay-for-pay as they only do this for the money and not the pleasure. Over the years, the sex industry hasn’t been very accommodative for male prostitution, and therefore, male prostitutes are faced with difficulties trying to make it in the industry (Cheng et al. 43). Despite being a billion-dollar industry, men still have difficulties getting clients, and earning enough cash to sustain themselves. Unlike women, male prostitutes are oppressed by stereotypes that prevent them from succeeding in the sex industry. Taboos That Prohibit Male Prostitution in Society Male prostitution is considered to more of an immoral act compared to female prostitution. This is because it is exemplified by three main taboos. To begin with, homosexuality has always been stigmatized in society with people perceiving the act as morally wrong. Secondly, giving in to sex for money or other favor has never been accepted for either men or female, and thirdly, men are seen as the stronger gender and should not be victims of sexual abuse and for this, most of them are reluctant to seek medical help whenever they are molested (Deisher et al. 938). It is for these reasons that people refuse to raise awareness for male prostitution; instead, they ignore the subject. However, internet has grown to be the most popular place where majority of people seek these services. Even though male prostitution is dated back to the ancient days during the Old and New Testament days, it has never been as common as female prostitution (Licata et al. 44). Unlike women sex workers, men are hardly found on the street instead they remain underground and are mostly found in clubs, bars and via the internet. America is known for its tendency to embrace diverse cultures making them part of what America stands for. For that reason, people have come to tolerate homosexuality and male prostitution. However, there is still a part in society that hasn’t accepted this, making it hard for male prostitute to break into the sex industry. With the growth seen in the sex industry, male prostitution is now advertised to almost every avenue as that of female prostitution. This is not just about the intersection of sexuality in the American culture, but also the equalizing of gender domination in the industry. Mostly, male prostitutes usually serve more male clients than female ones, and for this, their demand is inherently limited compared to that of women sex workers. This is usually because most women are not socially powerful enough to seek these services, and also because of the fact that the highest population of homosexuals are not exclusively gay. For this, their clients are economically and socially powerful women, bisexuals and the homosexual who are bold enough to pay for sexual services (Weitzer 24). Places To Seek Sexual Services Bars, brothels, clubs, and some specified areas in the streets of most cities are among the various places that male prostitution services are offered. It is at these places that male prostitutes can be found, and are available for sexual services (Weitzer 62). Moreover, there are those that advertize their service on the internet through website, blogs, chat rooms, and facebook/twitter pages. Over the past few years, the internet has significantly contributed to the growth of the sex industry as sexual contents are now availed to everyone with the access to a computer and an internet connection, all over the world. Emails, telephone/mobile calls, and conversations on dating sites are also others means used to get hold of individuals offering these services (Luckenbill 150). Additionally, there are those that have pimps who are responsible for seeking clients, handling payments, and basically marketing the services offered by the male prostitutes they represent. This way, the sex worker is only left with the task of looking good, and giving their clients a good time (Chambliss 28). Even so, this is never easy as their clients are limited and not as many as those of female prostitutes. Risks of Prostitution Just like in female prostitution, there are a couple of risks that both the client and service provider are exposed to. Transmission of sexually transmitted infections is the common one especially when the parties involved engage in unsafe sex (Aggleton 64). In addition to this, male prostitutes occasionally get into trouble with the authorities because of their involvement in illegal activities. Also, one risks rejection from friends and family, and financial instability due to an uncertain source of income. Just like their female colleagues in the sex industry, some of them fall under the wrong hands at times, whereby they end up getting raped, forced to engage in unsafe sex, denied their payment and some are even severely injured and nearly killed. Clients also risk being blackmailed if they are high-profile individuals and cannot afford destroying their reputation. Male prostitutes are constantly faced with the pressure of moving from one place to another in order to remain fresh among clients in the local scenes (Luckenbill 143). As a result of this mobility, sex workers reduce their chances of getting caught by the authorities. Given that men do not have vaginas that are naturally lubricated; male prostitutes are usually forced to use drugs so as to ease anal penetration, in order to make the experience pleasurable to both the client and the sex worker. In addition, some of them refuse to use condoms in order to earn more, and for this, the number of infected boys in brothels is ever increasing. Due to the stigmatization of male prostitution, over 20% of male prostitute have STIs while only 5% of female prostitutes are infected. Despite the provision of free STIs tests, psychosocial aid, and advice on how to quit prostitution, male prostitutes are still unwilling to seek these services due to stigmatization (Gerdes 29). Stereotypical Concerns The gay community no longer consists of individuals only working in salons, shopping malls, and boutiques; they now have some of the strongest sportsmen, soldiers, body builders, and even fire fighters. For this, the stereotype that characterized the gay community as not being tough, strong and attractive to women is extinct (Licata et al. 63). Today, hiring a male stripper is not as eccentric as it used to be a few years ago; though some people still find it nauseating. The internet is basically a virtual meeting place whereby both male and female prostitutes arrange their meet ups with their clients. Without the internet this industry would not be as big as it is especially for male prostitution (Chambliss 17). At times, all some clients need is someone to talk to and help them relax from their busy lives. In this case, sex is not always the way to go; a hot shower, a massage, and sex is the whole package that can make the client keep coming back for more (Weitzer 51). Advantages of Women over Men in the Sex Industry Women do not have to pay for sex as most men do; all they do is put on sexy dresses and avail themselves in clubs where there are men who are more than willing to have them for the night. When it comes to men, they have to prove their worth to the female companionship in order to get laid (Cheng et al. 52). Conversely, there are women who would rather seek sexual services from male hookers who are highly skilled when it comes to handling women. These are mostly women who are economically powerful, and those that cannot afford to be seen flirting with strangers in public. Women prostitution will always be in higher demand than male prostitution; however, with the recent trends seen in the industry, older women and men are likely to seek sexual services from male prostitution (Gerdes 33). One does not have to be attractive or have social skills; all that is needed is money to pay for the service. Additionally, the good thing about internet hook ups is that one gets to choose the person who meets your preferences in terms of their size, complexion, and style. It is for this reason that many have ended up falling in love with their hookers (Aggleton 83). Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys Sterry’s Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys is a collection of poetry, journals and confessions of people in the sex industry. The book cover the life of money, love and sex, offering an insight of sex trade in the showbiz. In his book, Sterry explores the various forms of prostitution and their diversification which involves; dancers, street prostitutes, phone sex operators, pimped escorts and massage parlor workers (Sterry and Martins 21). Having worked in the industry, Sterry says that most of his clients were upper-class housewives who were flexing their sexual muscles, out-of-town business ladies looking for a straightforward romp, hippie chicks trying out new adventures, and unhappily married women who were sexually frustrated by their husbands (Sterry & Martins 19). This book is an eye-opener to the reality of America’s obsession with sex. By documenting both cons and pros of being a whore, readers are able to see the pleasures and scary experiences in the industry. Being in the spotlight by being associated with top celebrities is among the best experiences; however, on the other hand, one risks the contraction of STDs and other painful incidents. The use of confessions of people who have worked in the sex industry makes the book more convincing especially since it doesn’t play on stereotypes. Brian on the Boulevard Brian on the Boulevard is a documentary that explores the life of a Hollywood hustler who goes by the name Brian. He is male prostitute and a heroin addict who tries to survive in Los Angeles even after going through painful experiences. The book accounts Brian’s painful experience such as the loss of his brother, his family rejection, his possibility of contracting AIDS while working as a male prostitute and redemption through rehab. By taking readers through his experiences, they get to see the many times he risked dying, and the thin line between addiction and death (“Brian on the Boulevard” 24). Brian’s sincere narration is a story that draws the connection between addiction and prostitution; in his case, his heroin addiction forced him into engaging in sex work in order to satisfy his addiction. Through his narration, it is clearly seen how desperate one can become, and the decision one is forced to make at times just to manage heroin cravings. Entering Male Prostitution and Redemption in Rehab Most prostitutes are said to be teenagers or at least started out as teenagers; in most cases, they are faced with financial crisis after fleeing their homes without college degrees, forcing them to engage in sex work in order to meet their ends meet (Luckenbill 142). As most prostitutes say, one enters into the industry with hopes of achieving a better life, thinking that they are doing it for the time being before they save enough money to achieve their dreams. However, this changes ones one starts getting lots of cash and gets to live the life they wants without too much effort. The more they enjoy the pleasure that comes with prostituting, the more one is drawn into the lifestyle, making it hard to quit (Cheng et al. 71). In the beginning, one can start as a striper, then to a prostitute, and with no time one is seen acting pornographic movies. Near-death experiences are among the wake up calls that can rescue one from getting sucked up in the industry. Some of the details of male prostitution are very shocking especially since most of these boys selling their bodies are desperate young men who would do anything to survive. For that reason, there is the need to raise awareness and help those who are willing to quit. Quitting is not easy, and therefore it should be a progressive process whereby the superior is patient and understanding. This is usually better when the superior worked in the industry but then managed to quit. Rehab is not always the best place to deal with sexual addiction especially now that the world is full of sexual graphics everywhere making it even harder to give up this lifestyle (Chambliss 32). The best way to face these habits is by trying to face them and not escaping to a rehabilitation center where one is locked out from the world. This way, one has higher chances of getting back to their old habits ones they are discharged. Therefore, unless one is into hard drugs, making the effort to fight sex craving while still in the streets is the best way to quit. Conclusion America’s Hollywood is known to be the center for all kinds of services offered in the sex industry. Most clients for male prostitutes are mostly bored housewives, unhappy married partners, business women/men who have busy schedules and have little time for relationships. Paying for sex and having the pleasure of being satisfied sexually is a fantasy that most people have had and would like to try it at least once in their lifetime. In his book, David Sterry speaks of how at the age of 17, he served upper class women who were happily married but just wanted to flex their sexual muscles (Sterry and Martins 19). Truly, male prostitution has been around for long, but because of the stereotypical gender roles assigned to each gender, male prostitutes do not receive the recognition they deserve. Without the internet, male prostitution would be not be in existence, and given the difficulties they face in their line of work, it is even commendable to see that male prostitutes still exist. Works Cited Aggleton, Peter. Men who Sell Sex: International Perspectives on Male Prostitution and AIDS. London: UCL Press, 1999. Web. Brian on the Boulevard. The Documentary Network, 2013. Film. Chambliss, William. Crime and Criminal Behavior. Los Angeles: SAGE, 2011. Print. Cheng, Lily, Die Leendert, and Kroon Eefje. “Just Business? The Unknown World of Male Prostitution in the Netherlands.” Humanity in Action. 2011. Web. Deisher, Robert, Victor Eisner, and Stephen Sulzbacher. “The Young Male Prostitute.” Pediatrics 43 (1969): 936-941. Print. Gerdes, Louise. Prostitution and Sex trafficking. Detroit: Greenhaven Press: Thomson/Gale, 2006. Print. Licata, Salvatore, and Robert Petersen. Historical Perspectives on Homosexuality. New York: Haworth Press: Stein and Day, 1985. Print. Luckenbill, David. “Entering Male Prostitution.” Journal of Contemporary Ethnography14 (1985): 131-153. Print. Sterry, David, and R. J. Martin. Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys: Professionals Writing on Life, Love, Money and Sex. Brooklyn: Soft Skull Press, 2009. Print. Weitzer, Ronald. Sex for Sale: Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Industry. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2009. Web. Read More