| This study explored the experiences of adult children of sex workers (ACSW) due to a dire lack of research on this population. A few studies have touched upon the "double life" of motherhood alongside sex work. However, no published research in the United States has directly addressed its impact on their children. This study investigated the psychosocial impact on 11 adult children of female sex workers by using two methods: Grounded Theory methodology and the Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale (TABS).;Results show that risk factors for ACSW include: repeated cycles of sex work (55%), drugs (73%), illegal activities (55%), disease (45%), homelessness (55%), and truancy (55%). In addition, the psychosocial risk factors that were found include trauma, stigma, shame, and marginalization. Results on the TABS show that participants scored significantly higher and above clinical threshold on the Total Score and on the subscales: Other Safety, Self Intimacy, Other Intimacy, and Self Control in comparison to the general population.;Although each narrative was unique, common findings were evident. Many participants had been exposed to their mothers' sex work, had been separated from their mothers, and experienced neglect and physical abuse. In addition, many participants had absent fathers and were raised by extended family or foster care. Interestingly, most participants who also entered sex work expressed feelings of guilt believing that their mothers had engaged in sex work in order to provide for them. On the other hand, participants who did not enter sex work expressed feelings of anger towards their mothers who they believed had engaged in sex work for her lifestyle. For many participants speaking in detail about their mothers' sex work was a first time experience.;These findings are clinically important with far reaching implications for the ACSW population. This study is hopefully the beginning of an exploration into the experiences of ACSW in the United States by raising awareness and public interest on the "collateral" impact of sex work. |
