Young male prostitutes: A psychosocial study

Abstract

A 3-year study of male prostitutes is presented with relevant data about their origin, their social and family background, education, sexuality, drug and alcohol use, and delinquency. A classification has been developed which separates the male prostitutes into four groups: group I, Full-time street and bar hustlers; II, full-time call boys or kept boys; group III, part-time hustlers, usually students or employed; and group IV peer-delinquents, who use prostitution and homosexuality as an extension of other delinquent acts [assault and robbery]. Similarities and differences between the four groups in terms of their psychosocial background, motives, and type of operation are described. Limited follow-up data indicate that only part-time male prostitutes, who continue in education or vocational training, have a reasonable expectation of an eventually stable social adjustment.

Professional male prostitution: A neglected phenomenon

“…Indeed, it is seen as characteristic of male prostitution that most males practice it once or twice only (cf. Allen, 1980). In this they differ notably from the women, for whom prostitution is usually a fulltime occupation.…”

“…Some recognise this problem (Allen, 1980;Luckenbill, 1986;Pieper, 1979), others seem quite unaware of it. For them, their sample is simply representative of male prostitutes (see e.g., Caukins and Coombs, 1976;Jersild, 1956;McMuUen, 1987;Russell, 1971).…”

“…Some, like Allen (1980) and Luckenbill (1985), make an effort to acquire a heterogeneous sample based on as large a variety of subject characteristics as possible: colour of skin, ethnic origin, age, social background and structure, education, sexual orientation, etcetera. Nevertheless, it is still difficult to find prostitutes and to get them to talk.…”

“…These males appear in the studies by Allen, 1980;Benjamin and Masters, 1964;Deisher, Robinson and Boyer, 1982;Jersild, 1956;Russell, 1971;Hennig, 1978;Laserstein, 1954;Price, Scanlon and Janus, 1984;Ross, 1959;Winick and Kinsie, 1971. In theory, as far as this type is concerned the emphasis is on forms of exploitation, but there are indications that these males also provide sexual services.…”

“…According to this criterion, they can be divided along a continuum, with at one end an heterogeneous group whose members have no real intention of prostituting themselves, but who will do so sometimes if money is offered. At the other there are identifiable groups who actually seek out the opportunity themselves: rough trade (Gagnon and Simon, 1973;Raven, 1960); homosexual males with respectable professions such as hairdressers, barkeepers, models and entertainers (Pieper, 1979;Raven, 1960;URSA, 1982); and schoolboys and students (Allen, 1980). Roughly, there are two types of occasional prostitution: one takes place on the fringes of homo-subcultures, where adolescents and males operate who are ambivalent about their sexual orientation (Miller and Humphreys, 1980;URSA, 1982).…”