A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF CHILDREN WHOSE MOTHERS ENGAGED IN PROSTITUTION

After an extensive evaluation of the existing literature on the topic of Children whose mothers engaged in prostitution, to establish where current research in the field stood, different themes were problematized and gaps in the literature were identified. This process informed the methodology of the study, bridging the lacunae found. 

Due to the lack of representation in literature as well as to highlight the complexity and the sensitivity surrounding the topic; a qualitative method of inquiry was chosen. Then, an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA) helped to further apprehend the essence, gain a deeper and examine the experiences of children, whose mothers were involved in prostitution whilst participants were still minors.

Using purposive sampling, one-time in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants (4F, 2M, 2TF), who were contacted by a gatekeeper through different national entities.

Results:

Participants' endurance of childhood traumatic experiences, exposure to mothers' prostitution, drug and alcohol use, abandonment, bullying, pain, shame, and stigma are some of the themes that emerged as the participants recounted their experiences. Findings were analyzed and interpreted using attachment and resilience theoretical frameworks as well as a social-constructionist conceptual framework.

Main Themes
 
1. Lack of shelter and protection - a total exposure in the children's everyday experience 

•Withstanding mothers' incessant engagement in prostitution and drug use. 
•Feeling othered, shamed and stigmatized. 
 
2. Children's endurance of traumatic experiences 

•Victims of physical abuse and witnesses of persistent domestic violence. 
•Victims of sexual abuse. 
•From longing for absent fathers to desiring distance

3. The implications on the mother-child relationship 

4. Making sense of recent past - the children's involvement in deviancy (Intergenerational Cycles)

•Engagement in drug use 
•Involvement in prostitution. 
 
5. Finding the strength to move forward  (self-protective factors, resilience, and coping mechanisms).

Recommendations for future research, suggestions for clinical practice, and limitations were extracted from this study.