Magdalena from hell to heaven : a study of the link between prostitution and drug abuse in male transsexuals

Abstract

This dissertation aims to explore the link, if any, between drug abuse and prostitution in male transsexual population at the Detoxification Centre. A qualitative methodology is used in the study with the ultimate goal to gather in depth information and acquire a clear picture as much as possible of the link between drug abuse and prostitution in male-to-female transsexuals. Guided interviews together with observation were used to find out information about this linkage, and to explore the various issues that contribute to this link. The analysis the data collected, reveals various issues about the linkage between prostitution and drug abuse in male transsexuals that I have encountered during my study at the Out Patient Detoxification Centre. The following aspects are what I have explored in my study; 1. The close correlation between prostitution and drug abuse in male transsexual participants: in the majority of participants, prostitution proceeded to drug abuse. 2. Use of illegal drugs and their availability. 3. Peer pressure affecting drug abuse. 4. Childhood influences which were traumatic; mother rejection, no family support, and sexual victimization. 5. Then poor parenting and poor neighbourhood are a fertile soil to children to get into such difficulties later on in life, thus society has to target services to prevent these as much as possible. 6. Life Style. 7. Insight into the problems that transsexuals face especially when having two problems such as drug abuse and prostitution. 8. Unemployment proceeds to prostitution in male-to-female transsexuals. 9. Married men are the major clients who make use of commercial sexual services since Victorian times. In conclusion, this study attempts to provide a substantial amount of information that is needed in order that every individual, including professionals and effective large institutions, set up services and target policies to reduce drug abuse, reduce prostitution, and help transsexuals so as to live in an egalitarian society. Professionals may include social workers and policy makers. However, the final targets of all these services and policies will be to reduce stigma and emphasize that there is nothing wrong within a transsexual identity. As a result of my study, services targeted for prostitution and drug abuse, should be ameliorated or set up in order to target specific problems that emerged during my study. If these institutions, such as the primary institution which is the family, together with policy makers and individuals try to do their utmost various problems will be eliminated. If first and foremost parents, do not teach their children to exclude diversity of gender identities, then problems with social exclusion which are correlated to drug abuse and prostitution will be reduced. Consequently, drug abuse will decrease and avoided in further male-to-female transsexuals. I think that, it is a fundamental and 'societal duty', to first of all understand diversity, learns not to judge and believe in an egalitarian society. In collaboration with every individual concerned and society as a whole, problems will decrease!