Journal of Behavioral Health and Psychology. 2013; 2(1):(49-345)


Dangerous women of Hong Kong? Media construction of stigma in female sex workers

Ting Fong, Eleanor Anne Holroyd, William C W Wong

Abstract

This study used a cultural model analysis to examine the Hong Kong print media’s social construction of stigma in respect to female sex workers. An analysis was conducted on captions and main headlines of two newspaper (Chinese and English) media in Hong Kong between the years 2003-2006. A total of 591 articles on sex workers were recruited in the analysis with 422 located from the Ming Pao and 169 articles from the SCMP. In Hong Kong, as in elsewhere, sex workers were commonly labeled as the sources of sexually transmitted diseases and as women who endangered the public safety through socially unacceptable occupations. They were also portrayed as “ugly”, “weak” and “powerless” in the articles identified. We conclude the Hong Kong print media plays a significant role in contributing to the stigmatization of sex workers, heightening health risk and vulnerability. Such social construction of public stigma then in turn, can be argued to contribute to a lessened propensity for female sex workers both seek and engage with formal health services.

Most Viewed Article
  • Marital Status, Ethnicity, and Cardiovascular Health: A Systematic Literature Review
    Eric Houston, Omar Gonzalez-Valentino, Gaole Song, Justine LaRue Evans.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4579/24069

  • Cognition in MS as a Marker of Disability Progression: Observations from Real Life
    Flavia Mattioli, Chiara Stampatori, Francesca Righetti, Nicola De Rossi, Luca Beretta, Elisabetta Perego, Tiziana Carandini, Teresa Di Fonzo, Laura Ferrè, Claudia Celico, Valentina Miramonti, Elena Verrengia.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4579/24068

  • Unhappiness Is Not a Disease
    Loretta Graziano Breuning
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4579/24067

  • Help Seeking Among Male Farmers and their Female Partners: A Qualitative Exploration
    Emma Carswell, Marian McLaughlin, Tony Cassidy.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4579/24066

  • Together We Thrive: Strengthen the Capability of AAPIs in Pima County in Dealing with COVID-19
    Howard J. Eng
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4579/24065

Most Downloaded
  • Marital Status, Ethnicity, and Cardiovascular Health: A Systematic Literature Review
    Eric Houston, Omar Gonzalez-Valentino, Gaole Song, Justine LaRue Evans.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4579/24069

  • Cognition in MS as a Marker of Disability Progression: Observations from Real Life
    Flavia Mattioli, Chiara Stampatori, Francesca Righetti, Nicola De Rossi, Luca Beretta, Elisabetta Perego, Tiziana Carandini, Teresa Di Fonzo, Laura Ferrè, Claudia Celico, Valentina Miramonti, Elena Verrengia.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4579/24068

  • Unhappiness Is Not a Disease
    Loretta Graziano Breuning
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4579/24067

  • Help Seeking Among Male Farmers and their Female Partners: A Qualitative Exploration
    Emma Carswell, Marian McLaughlin, Tony Cassidy.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4579/24066

  • Together We Thrive: Strengthen the Capability of AAPIs in Pima County in Dealing with COVID-19
    Howard J. Eng
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4579/24065