Making Sense of Men's Procurement of Sexual Services Philip
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Making sense of men's procurement of sexual services Philip Birch B.Soc.Sci. (Hons), PG. Cert. (H.E.P.), PG. Cert. (SSRM), PG. Dip. (Soc. Sci.), MSc. A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy UNSW AUSTRALIA School of Social Sciences Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences December 2013 PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: Birch First name: Philip Other name/s: Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: PhD Criminology School: Social Sciences Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences Tille: Making sense of men's procurement of sexual services Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) Sex work has been a contentious issue over time in a variety of ways- socially, morally, ethically, religiously and politically. Traditionally noted as one of the oldest professions in the world, prostitution has commonly been demonised and viewed as a social disgrace. While sex work involves providers of sexual services, most commonly women, and purchasers of sexual services, most commonly men, providers have attracted the most social commentary. This thesis will address this imbalance by examining the procurement of sexual services by male purchasers. Whilst it is acknowledged that sex work is multifaceted, including a range of practices such as male sex work and cultural differences in relation to the procurement of sexual services, as well as unacceptable and criminal acts such as child prostitution, trafficking, sexual coercion, and organised crime, this thesis specifically focuses on the procurement of sexual services from heterosexual female providers by male purchasers. The study is based in a western cultural context and aims to enhance understanding of this group of men's reasons for the purchasing of sex. The author conducted an Australian study, in which 309 men who procure sexual services in New South Wales, Australia were surveyed and 36 in-depth interviews were held with purchasers and providers of sexual services and groups who have particular interest in the sex work industry. The thesis examines the procurement of female sexual services with a focus on the personal and social aspects of men who procure such exchanges. The thesis offers insight into the demographics of men who purchase sexual services as well as why they purchase sex. Consideration in the thesis is also given to the views of particular interest groups who have contributed to the debate, policy and legislative developments. Significant reasons for purchasing sex that emerged are: seeking affection, preventing loneliness, procuring a desired service and engaging in a sexual act without commitment. This thesis brings together existing literature with analyses of the new data, to develop a multi-factor model of men's procurement of sexual services. This model, MAPSS (Multi factor Analysis choice model for the Procurement of Sexual Services), shows the complexities surrounding men's purchasing of sex. The thesis concludes by considering what contribution the understanding of the personal and social aspects of men who procure sexual services has on re-theorising the purchasing of sex in the 21st Century. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I als~uth~\UnJVerslty MICrOirrr7s to use the 350 word abstract of my thepis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this IS applicable to doctoral the,ses only). /·/Y~ / , -, n ,G/ ('j , g) / ~~ .............. ,.. ../< ,;)f~f.?'; > , Jo 5 1JJt .. , ~-~4·~ / Witness Datl The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and re uire the a roval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award: THIS SHEET IS TO BE GLUED TO THE INSIDE FRONT COVER OF THE THESIS ORIGINALITY STATEMENT 'I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the-extenl!!'at assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentatio.n and linguistic;:,expression is acknowledged.' / \ /}_ 'lj (. S1gned. ... , ........................../ b~b, ............................ .. /. ~(~~~;~~. J.~ ..................... ~ .. .. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 'I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I j)Pve~ither used.q.o substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permiSsion to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will ar;Jl!Y-f9r a partial restriction of the digital copy of ( my thesis or dissertatidn.' . / / '/ ~·y ~'- ~i ·-...::.-·· ... ,;.~~ {~'''"'''" ''""""""'"""" ~.~ ),L- - -~-~ Date ··~~ ....• ~.~oC'< .. .\ ~. .2 ... ;;) .. Jf........... ~ ......... AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT 'I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final ciallya. ppwved version of my th. esis. No emendation of content has occurred d if there are any minor variatJons in formatting, they are the result of the nver ·onJo.digital format.' G / n ...;r~ \ ' \ .. S1gp~r::::f=-·~ .. , .................................. '--~-=-z--- s..fll..j. .................. Abstract Sex work has been a contentious issue over time in a variety of ways - socially, morally, ethically, religiously and politically. Traditionally noted as one of the oldest professions in the world, prostitution has commonly been demonised and viewed as a social disgrace. While sex work involves providers of sexual services, most commonly women, and purchasers of sexual services, most commonly men, providers have attracted the most social commentary. This thesis will address this imbalance by examining the procurement of sexual services by male purchasers. Whilst it is acknowledged that sex work is multifaceted, including a range of practices such as male sex work and cultural differences in relation to the procurement of sexual services, as well as unacceptable and criminal acts such as child prostitution, trafficking, sexual coercion, and organised crime, this thesis specifically focuses on the procurement of sexual services from heterosexual female providers by male purchasers. The study is based in a western cultural context and aims to enhance understanding of this group of men's reasons for the purchasing of sex. The author conducted an Australian study, in which 309 men who procure sexual services in New South Wales, Australia were surveyed and 36 in-depth interviews were held with purchasers and providers of sexual services and groups who have particular interest in the sex work industry. The thesis examines the procurement of female sexual services with a focus on the personal and social aspects of men who procure such exchanges. The thesis offers insight into the demographics of men who purchase sexual services as well as why they purchase sex. Consideration in the thesis is also given to the views of particular interest groups who have contributed to the debate, policy and legislative developments. Significant reasons for purchasing sex that emerged are: seeking affection, preventing loneliness, procuring a desired service and engaging in a sexual act without commitment. This thesis brings together existing literature with analyses of the new data, to develop a multi-factor model of men's procurement of sexual services. This model, MAPSS (Multi factor Analysis choice model for the Procurement of Sexual Services), shows the complexities surrounding men's purchasing of sex. The thesis concludes by considering what contribution the understanding of the personal and social aspects of men who procure sexual services has on re-theorising the purchasing of sex in the 21st Century. 2 Table of Contents Page Abstract 2 Acknowledgements 6 Originality Statement 7 Glossary of Terms 8 List of Figures 11 List of Table 12 List of Publications