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12/03/2005 Archived Entry: "Male use of prostitutes doubles?"

According to an article in the BBC: "The number of men paying women for sex has nearly doubled in a decade, says research. Why? One in 10 of the 11,000 men asked in a survey in 2000 said he used prostitutes, compared with one in 20 in 1990."

It is not possible to judge accurately from the news coverage but this survey appears to be junk -- at least, as it is reported. For example, there are several alternative explanations for what is being referred to as a doubling of men's use of prostitutes: men may be becoming more candid in what they admit to sexually; the respective questions may have been worded somewhat differently with the latter encouraging reporting; 'prostitution' may have been defined more broadly to include e.g. phone sex; the 2000 survey may have been atypically low in the estimates of men who use prostitutes; the population surveyed may have atypical e.g. sailors on shore leave or very small.... Moreover, even if accurate, what the survey tells us is not clear without knowing many other factors such as 'was there a comparable increase in women's use of sex workers?' 'What do reports from years before 2000 indicate? (To its credit, the BBC cites a 1940s study...but aren't there ones more current than 60 years ago?) This sort of survey and subsequent media coverage is often merely sensationalism for the sake of sensationalism. Or, worse, sensationalism at the service of a political agenda.

One reason my guard is up on accepting such reports is the heavy and hard campaign being waged by agencies such as the UN against global prostitution. If it is seen to be an 'epidemic', then their campaign gains legitimacy and funding.

BTW, this is just one topic of discussion on the Libertarian Discussion BB. Come join us!!