British Journal of Social Work (2004) 34, 349-374
British Journal of Social Work 34/3 © BASW Trading Ltd 2004 all rights reserved
Adolescent and Young Adult Male-to-Female Transsexuals: Pathways to Prostitution
Ronit D. Leichtentritt is a lecturer in the Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Israel. Her research interests include interpersonal and social justice issues with special attention to justice issues at times of death and dying. Her research has focused on attitudes, meanings and values surrounding euthanasia and socially assisted dying in the last few years.
Bilha Davidson-Arad is a lecturer in the Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Israel. Her research interests include children at-risk and the decision to remove children from home.
Correspondence to Dr Ronit D. Leichtentritt or Dr Bilha Davidson Arad, Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. E-mail: ronitl{at}post.tau.ac.il
Summary
The current study aims to reveal the experiences of young male-to-female transsexuals who work as prostitutes in Israel, providing a stage where the voice of this marginal group may be heard, as we believe social workers need to know more about the reality of these young people’s lives before they can offer meaningful responses. The study was guided by two main questions: (1) What accounts do young male-to-female transsexuals who work as prostitutes provide for their involvement in the sex industry? and (2) What are their experiences as young transsexuals engaged in prostitution? Using the life story interview and thematic analysis, two main themes were revealed: (a) what I ran away from or was thrown out of; and (b) why I became a prostitute, how I became professionalized and why I continue to work as one. The first theme focuses on transsexualism; the second on prostitution. Yet, these two themes are intertwined: from the respondents’ perspective, prostitution is a price you must be willing to pay if you want to achieve gender transformation at the beginning of the twenty-first century in Israel. Practical implications and further research are recommended to better inform social workers assisting this high-risk population.