The Stigmatization of Being in the Game

Stigmatization of being involved in the commercial sexual industry impacts mental health.

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The Stigmatization of Being in the Game

Stigmatization of being involved in the commercial sexual industry impacts mental health.

Learn More

What Does the Stigmatization Look Like?

Stigmatization of being involved in the commercial sexual industry impacts mental health, and it is important to understand how these experiences impact you. What does the stigmatization look like?

  • Perceived Violation of Gender Norms

    • For having multiple partners.
    • For encouraging sexual desires.
    • For taking sexual initiative and control.
    • For receiving anything of value for an exchange of sex.

  • Discrimination and Internalized Shame

    • Intense fear of others finding out.
    • Being treated differently and seen as less than.

Individuals enter the game for various reasons, and you may find it difficult to want to share your story with others, and sometimes your story is not for everyone. To address internalized stigmatization, you may find it helpful to engage in journaling to get a better understanding of where this shame stems from, and how it shapes your personal experience.

Stigmatization of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) / Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

The stigmatization of STDs impacts the experiences of individuals within the Life. Many individuals lack proper education on how to protect themselves from STD/STI, and they often do not understand how people get them. They often do not know that certain STD/STI are curable, and certain STDs like Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (cold sores) are common. This lack of knowledge leads people to assume that individuals with STDs/STIs are “dirty” or “careless.” These assumptions are false.

Power impacts choices and the ability to practice “safe” sex. The following sentences capture common experiences amongst individuals, which leads to a form of sexual abuse that is often not discussed.

"Using condoms is not always a choice."

"Having sex is not always a choice."

"Discussing sexual history is not always a choice."

"Saying no is not always a choice."

Questions for practicing safe sex:

Practicing safe sex is not always a choice, but when you can practice it consider the following questions as a guide.

The Stigmatization of Addiction

Addictions are often viewed as a choice, and often individuals forget how mental health issues or life circumstances contribute to addiction. Regardless of how or why individuals struggle with addiction, it is important to change how we talk about it.

The glamorization of drugs on shows and movies often fails to address the harsh reality of battling addiction. At the end of the day, society must be more compassionate and recognize the struggle of battling addictions.

alone

The Stigmatization of Addiction

Addictions are often viewed as a choice, and often individuals forget how mental health issues or life circumstances contribute to addiction. Regardless of how or why individuals struggle with addiction, it is important to change how we talk about it.

The glamorization of drugs on shows and movies often fails to address the harsh reality of battling addiction. At the end of the day, society must be more compassionate and recognize the struggle of battling addictions.

The Stigmatization of Addiction

Addictions are often viewed as a choice, and often individuals forget how mental health issues or life circumstances contribute to addiction. Regardless of how or why individuals struggle with addiction, it is important to change how we talk about it.

The glamorization of drugs on shows and movies often fails to address the harsh reality of battling addiction. At the end of the day, society must be more compassionate and recognize the struggle of battling addictions.

alone

Journal Prompts for Addressing Stigmatization

These prompts help ease the feeling when you realize where these thoughts come from. You may realize that a lot of times this stigmatization comes from people around you, or it is a common narrative within your society. It is important for you to step into your power, and ignore what others assume about you.

  • What were you taught about sex growing up?

  • Write a poem using the word sex, and with keywords and images build the poem.

  • What struggles do you have with your sexuality?

  • What does it mean to you to have a “healthy” sex life?

  • What does it mean to practice safe sex?

  • What does it mean to be “clean”?

  • What role do I play in supporting this stigmatization?

  • Write about your last sexual encounter and list the things you enjoyed and did not enjoy.

    Listen to the feelings you felt in those times and write about them.

The stigmatization of the public requires a culture shift and more education on why and how people engage in the game. Addressing stigmatization is difficult, but more individuals are beginning to challenge these assumptions. Many survivors of sex trafficking and sex workers have fought for human rights, and they often are at the forefront of changing how people view individuals within the Life. This change takes time, and if you ever lose hope consider looking up activists like Maya Angelou, connect with Ask Avery, or visit our Rebuilding Community page and Healing is Not Linear page for resources to support you.