Use What You Got to Get What You Want: The Criminalization of Poverty, Mass Incarceration, and the Rise of Sex Work in Black Communities

Background and Purpose:

The legacy of race-based social welfare policy in the United States continues to exacerbate poverty and economic instability in Black communities, contributing to the rise of sex work as a means of survival and economic mobility. Mass incarceration, welfare reform, and limited labor market access have created systemic conditions that disproportionately marginalize Black individuals—particularly women—pushing them into transactional labor practices. With the proliferation of social media, sex markets have evolved, further commodifying Black bodies while offering new platforms for economic gain. This study explores the intersection of systemic racism, economic inequality, and the rise of sex work in Black communities, as well as the transformative role of digital platforms in this context.

Methods:

This qualitative study employs a phenomenological approach to examine the lived experiences of 6 to 10 individuals currently engaged in sex work via social media platforms. Participants will be recruited using purposive and snowball sampling strategies. Semi-structured interviews will elicit narratives about participants’ entry into sex work, the influence of race on earning potential, and barriers to traditional employment pre- and post-engagement. Data sources will also include metadata from podcast interviews with high-earning sex workers. Grounded in Critical Race Theory, the study employs interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) and data triangulation to identify key themes related to sexual autonomy, labor commodification, and social survival.

Findings (Anticipated):

Preliminary thematic insights are expected to highlight barriers to labor market entry among people of color, gender-specific perceptions around monetizing sexuality, and the sociocultural framing of transactional labor practices. Thematic analysis will illuminate how race, class, and digital space shape sex work experiences and economic strategies, reinforcing the concept of a new working class shaped by marginalization and digital capitalism.

Conclusion and Implications:

Findings from this study aim to inform the development of trauma-informed programs, policy interventions, and service delivery strategies that support individuals engaged in sex work. The study calls for a public health and social welfare policy shift that includes safer sex education, increased preventive health services for men, and the destigmatization of STD/STI care. By centering the voices of Black sex workers, the research challenges dominant narratives and advocates for equity-based regulatory frameworks that affirm agency and human dignity