Planning for pleasure: Time patterns in the use of Internet forums  of female sex workers' clients in Germany

Harriet Langanke; Sven-Axel Månsson; Michael W. Ross

doi:10.5817/CP2014-1-5

Planning for pleasure: Time patterns in the use of Internet forums of female sex workers' clients in Germany

Vol.8,No.1(2014)
Special issue: Internet and Sexuality

Harriet Langanke Sven-Axel Månsson Michael W. Ross

https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2014-1-5

How to Cite:

Langanke, H., Månsson, S.-A., & Ross, M. W. (2014). Planning for pleasure: Time patterns in the use of Internet forums of female sex workers’ clients in Germany. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 8(1), Article 5. https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2014-1-5

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the temporal usage of seven sex workers’ clients’ (johns’) German Internet forums. Data covering the years 2008 to 2010 and showing monthly, daily and hourly usage were gained through different log file analysis tools. Three different focus groups discussed the results. One focus group was made up by users of johns’ forums, one group by female sex workers and another one by social workers. Data analysis revealed that johns frequent their web-forums mostly on late Monday afternoons, preferably between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. According to the focus groups’ discussions, this distinct time frame appears to be substantially based on the johns’ intention to plan their activities in commercial sex.

Keywords:
sex workers’ clients; johns’ Internet forums; temporal usage; Mondays

Author biographies

Harriet Langanke

Harriet Langanke, M.A., is a journalist with special interest in sexual health issues, based in Cologne, Germany. Since 2002, she is chief editor of the German magazine for women, sexuality and health, the DHIVA. As founder and director of the GSSG, a charitable foundation on sexuality and health, she coordinates national and international projects promoting sexual health. Currently, she undertakes research at the Center for Sexology and Sexuality Studies (CSS) at University of Malmö in Sweden into Internet forums of sex workers' clients.

Sven-Axel Månsson

Sven-Axel Månsson, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Social Work at the Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, where he is also senior advisor at the Center of Sexology and Sexuality Studies. He has published extensively on issues such as prostitution and human trafficking, sexuality and the Internet, and the use of pornography by young people.

Michael W. Ross

Michael W. Ross, PhD MedDr MPH is Professor of Public Health at the University of Texas and has research interests in Internet sexuality, MSM and HIV/AIDS and STI prevention, and stigma. His research is primarily in East Africa and Sweden.

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