Abstract
IntroductionThis article explores explanations for attitudes towards the acceptability of transactional sex. The sparse research investigating attitudes towards transactional sex uncovers a link between gender equality, or feminism, and a lack of support for the trade in sex. However, there are no research agendas that attempt to explain variance in attitudes towards transactional sex where support for gender equality is widespread throughout a population.MethodsWe estimate regression models utilizing the 2017 Danish Values Survey (Den Danske Værdiundersøgelse) in order to predict views on the acceptability of transactional sex.ResultsWhile the trade in sex is legal in Denmark, we find that a majority of respondents hold negative attitudes towards transactional sex, which conveys a lack of congruence between public opinion and policy. Further, gender is a powerful predictor of attitudes towards transactional sex, with women finding it less acceptable. In addition, the analysis uncovers that general attitudes towards sexual behaviour are the largest predictor of views on the acceptability of transactional sex. That being said, we find that men’s views on the acceptability of transactional sex are more of a function of their general attitudes towards sexual behaviour than they are for women.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that, unlike men, women appear to differentiate between their attitudes towards general sexual behaviour and their views on sexual behaviour that they may associate with negative societal implications.
Highlights
This article explores explanations for attitudes towards the acceptability of transactional sex
Our analysis reveals that gender and general attitudes towards sexual behaviour are the largest predictors of attitudes towards prostitution in Denmark, with women finding prostitution less acceptable than men
The full sample density plot indicates that the modal response is that prostitution is “not at all” acceptable, with around 24% of respondents selecting a one on the scale
Summary
This article explores explanations for attitudes towards the acceptability of transactional sex. Research indicates that negativity towards the sex trade may have adverse effects on sex workers’ lives, including their access to health, justice, safety and social support (Duff et al 2015; Febres-Cordero et al 2018; Kuosmanen and de Cabo 2018; Kurtz et al 2005; Lazarus et al 2012; McClelland and Newell 2008; Platt et al 2018; Scambler and Paoli 2008; Vuolajärvi 2019a, 2019b; Weitzer 2017) Such findings are cause for concern since individuals selling sexual services face excessive risks of suffering abuse, exploitation, poor health, stigma and violence—especially under repressive policies
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