Bekännelser

Abstract

Buying sex is in Sweden rapidly coming to signify a disturbed male. The discourse of the deviant sex-buyer whould be understood in the light of the therapy society, that increasingly manufactures new diagnoses and new clients, turning behaviour that earlier was seen as evidence for a lack of character or morals into addictions, and describing the clients as victims. For the first time in history, the buying male part of prostitution is called into question. This discourse holds a capacity for change in masculinity and sexuality. Sex buyers also tend to seek help, stating that their sexual behaviour causes them anxiety and distress. These experiences are understood as a lack of manliness, and analyzed and treated with a therapy constructed to fit men. While women's despair always is comprehended structurally, men's anguish can only be understood as personal. But what if the sex buyer feels bad, not because of a lack of masculinity, but because of hegemonic masculinity itself?