Files
Abstract
Endorsed beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions of sex buying influence individual sex buying intentions and behaviors, as well as norms and policies more broadly. Ultimately, sex buying behavior directly impacts those who sell sex, whether by choice or through force or coercion.The purpose of this study was to identify beliefs, attitudes, normative influences, and environmental constraints related to buying sex, including its relation to the possibility of having sex with a trafficked person. Online discussion threads about sex buying were identified within one sex-positive subreddit community on Reddit—a popular social media platform—and qualitatively examined. First, inductive codes were identified as they emerged from the discussion threads. Second, deductive codes informed by the integrative model of behavioral prediction and the model of selective moral disengagement were applied. Thematic analysis was conducted to actively construct and interpret themes; ten themes were identified and are presented in relation to the broader talk itself, the selected theoretical frameworks, and the research question. Findings were interpreted through a subjective lens and may not represent true internal beliefs and attitudes of the collective users in an offline setting. Overall, there did not appear to be one clear viewpoint. Beliefs and attitudes varied drastically across users, and much of it was driven by perceptions of morality or sexual preferences. However, users in this subreddit community generally endorse sex buying as normative behavior. Many users supported decriminalizing and regulating commercial sex; these users believed that consenting adults should be allowed to engage in normal and natural sexual activity. Users generally acknowledged that sex selling has inherent risks, especially for vulnerable populations, but a subgroup of users viewed these consequences as a reason to continue criminalizing sex buying. Further, these same users often expressed concern that sex buying might increase sex trafficking. Generally, users reported that society stigmatized sex buying, but users within this subreddit community often supported an individual’s decision to buy or not buy sex. While some users lacked knowledge about how to buy sex, others disclosed their intention to buy sex or past sex buying behavior; loneliness and virginity drove some users to consider sex buying, but other factors also influenced intention and behavior, and sex buying experiences varied. Findings from this study provide important context for academic researchers, practitioners, and law enforcement to consider when communicating with the public and designing interventions that seek to reduce possible harms caused by sex buying, including sex trafficking.