Procuring Sexual Services: Evidencing Masculinity Diversity and Difference Through Sex Work Research

Abstract

Masculinities theorising has promoted a traditional view of maleness, conceptualising it as being dominant, successful and non-emotional; that is hegemonic masculinity. Contemporary work on men and their behaviour, recognising need and emotions, has been classified as subordinate to hegemonic masculinity. We examine the procurement of sexual services by a cohort of heterosexual men in New South Wales, Australia arguing that our findings support contemporary masculinity writings. Our analysis suggests that men seek and obtain intimacy and emotional experiences through procurement of sex, while at the same time reflecting some hegemonic masculine characteristics. We conclude by arguing that research with men who procure sexual services provides new insights into masculinities theorising recognising difference and diversity in what it is to be a man in the twenty-first century.