Thinking about the social reintegration of female sex workers
This article discusses the (re)integration of women who engage in sex work from the perspective of the women themselves as well as that of community, health, and social service practitioners. Using the theories of intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991) and possible selves (Markus and Nurius, 1986), we contrast the relationships between different aspects of women’s identity in terms of the meaning given their aspirations and fears, the ways to achieve their goals, and the resources available for the social (re)insertion of women. The aim of the study is to provide an understanding of the needs of sex workers by comparing their perceptions with those of practitioners. Using data from 36 semi-directed interviews conducted in New Brunswick with francophone sex workers and practitioners from various settings, we identified three dimensions of social (re)insertion : material, systemic, and social worth and recognition. Our results show that the sex workers expressed more abstract needs while practitioners concentrated on more concrete needs. Practical and conceptual considerations in the social (re)integration of francophone female sex workers are discussed.