A Critical Reflexive Approach to Sex Research

This insightful book explores the hidden experiences of men paying for sex in South Africa, emphasizing critical reflexivity in research.

This volume presents a methodologically focused exploration of the often hidden subjectivities of men who pay for sex in South Africa. A Critical Reflexive Approach to Sex Research emphasizes the importance of the interview context, highlighting how knowledge is co-created through the interactions between the interviewer and the participant. By employing a critical reflexive lens, the book seeks to unpack the complexities involved in researching such a sensitive topic, revealing the power dynamics and emotional nuances present in these exchanges.

The author delves into the intricate relationships among sex work, race, coloniality, sexuality, masculinity, femininity, and societal perceptions of disease and contagion. This examination is enriched by empirical interview data and the author's reflective journal entries, offering a unique perspective on the research process. The integration of poststructuralist and psychoanalytic theories provides tools for understanding how the dynamics of the interview shape the meanings produced, ultimately enhancing the depth of the research findings.

A Critical Reflexive Approach to Sex Research serves as a vital resource for those interested in the intersectional and feminist decolonial perspectives on sex work. It raises critical questions about men's motivations for engaging in this stigmatised practice and how they navigate their identities within it. The book encourages researchers to draw from diverse theoretical frameworks, making it an engaging read for students and scholars in critical psychology, research methodologies, and the social sciences.