Let’s Talk about Sex for Money: An Exploration of Economically Motivated Relationships Among Young, Black Women in Canada
Gender, Sex, and Sexuality Among Contemporary Youth
ISBN: 978-1-78714-614-3, eISBN: 978-1-78714-613-6
Publication date: 23 November 2017
Abstract
Purpose
This paper, and the corresponding project, is motivated by the lack of qualitative research elucidating the voices of young Black women in Canada when it comes to their sexual health.
Methodology/approach
This paper draws from data produced in the Let’s Talk About Sex (LTAS) project – a Photovoice process held once a week for nine consecutive weeks in the Jane-Finch community, a low-income community in Toronto, Canada. This workshop was completed by 15 young African Caribbean and Black (ACB) women in the age group 14–18. These young women used photography and creative writing to express their opinions on the barriers and facilitators to making healthy sexual decisions.
Findings
A central finding was the existence of a subculture among youth in Toronto, where the exchange of sex for material resources was commonplace. Herein, we unpack the various forms of economically motivated relationships reported, which ranged from romantic relationships to sugar daddies and brothel-like sex dens. We also reflect on the discussions at community forums where the research findings were presented. From shock and outrage to a sly smile of knowing, the responses were often gendered, generational and reflective of a trend occurring across Toronto, not just in the Jane-Finch community, and not merely among the Black youth.
Research implications
Effective interventions and youth programs should focus on the sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV risks that may result from transactional relationships, economic empowerment, and youth employment.
Originality/value
This is a novel arts-based study on youth engaged inthe exchange of sex for money, which has nuanced differences from survival sex.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Jennisha Wilson, Sabrina Virdee, Lester Green, Cheryl Prescod, Tiyondah Coleman, Ellis Furman and the partnership support of Black Creek Community Health Centre, Northwood Community Centre, and York University. A tremendous thank you is also owed to the young women who participated in this project and who took the time to sharetheir perspectives. Funding support for the LTAS project was provided by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, York University, the Institute of Gender and Health’s Knowledge-Translation Grant, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s University Without Walls Fellowship and Training Program.
Citation
Wilson, C.L. and Flicker, S. (2017), "Let’s Talk about Sex for Money: An Exploration of Economically Motivated Relationships Among Young, Black Women in Canada", Gender, Sex, and Sexuality Among Contemporary Youth (Sociological Studies of Children and Youth, Vol. 23), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 97-119. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1537-466120170000023006
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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