Navigating Criminalization: Identity Construction Processes of Israeli Men Who Pay Women for Sex

• In Event: Navigating Sex Work: Stigma, Identity Formation, and Crime Policy

Abstract

In 2020, Israel enacted the Prohibition on Prostitution Consumption law, criminalizing the purchase of sexual services and imposing fines, with an option for offenders to attend an educational program. Our study explored how Israeli men who pay for sex (MPWS) construct and navigate their identities in light of this dramatic legal shift.
We conducted 28 in-depth interviews with adult Israeli MPWS, analyzed using constructivist grounded theory.
First, we show that the morality of MPWS cannot be reduced to binary notions of good or bad, and emphasize how “being a moral man” (who pays for sex) is shaped by various societal forces. Second, we demonstrate how MPWS construct their identities within a consumer culture, viewing sex consumption as a form of self-expression. Finally, we show that MPWS uses the “addict” identity to support their positive self-image and allow them to seek help and mitigate stigma.
Our study sheds light on the complex interplay between MPWS' self-perceptions, the societal constructs that diminish them, and the criminalization of their actions. We argue that interventions targeting MPWS should go beyond punishment and re-education to include therapeutic approaches for a more effective response.

Authors

• Ayelet Prior, University of New Hampshire

• Peled Einat, Tel Aviv University