The majority of sex workers are mothers. Although participation in sex work is primarily driven by the prioritization of their children’s needs over their own, mothers are stigmatized, subject to poorer health, and lack access to quality health care and social services. Interviews with 25 mothers in Mumbai, India, were analyzed using theory-driven coding to reexamine participation in sex work in context of Gilligan’s three-stage ethic of care, a feminist theory of moral reasoning. Stage 1 (decision making focused on self) themes were (a) sex work served as a means to survival and (b) exploitative and unfulfilling relationships required a focus on self. The transition from Stage 1 to 2 theme was language of selfishness versus responsibility. Stage 2 (selflessness is goodness) themes characterizing the majority of narratives were (a) sex work is justified, (b) duty to prioritize care of others, and (c) self-sacrifice to achieve aspirations for children. The transition from Stage 2 to 3 had one theme: consideration of self. While Stage 3 represents women taking holistic care of themselves and others, the data did not reflect this. Reframing mothers’ participation in sex work using the ethic of care framework may support destigmatization, decriminalization, and security of human rights.

中文翻译：

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女权主义关怀伦理：孟买性工作者的母爱

大多数性工作者是母亲。尽管参与性工作的主要驱动力是将孩子的需求置于自己的需求之上，但母亲受到污名化，健康状况较差，无法获得优质的医疗保健和社会服务。对印度孟买的 25 位母亲的采访进行了分析，使用理论驱动的编码在 Gilligan 的三阶段护理伦理（一种女性主义的道德推理理论）的背景下重新审视参与性工作。第 1 阶段（以自我为中心的决策）主题是 (a) 性工作是一种生存手段，以及 (b) 剥削性和无法实现的关系需要关注自我。从第一阶段到第二阶段主题的过渡是自私与责任的语言。第 2 阶段（无私就是善良）描述大多数叙事的主题是 (a) 性工作是合理的，(b) 有责任优先照顾他人，以及 (c) 自我牺牲以实现对儿童的愿望。从第 2 阶段到第 3 阶段的过渡有一个主题：考虑自我。虽然第 3 阶段代表女性全面照顾自己和他人，但数据并未反映这一点。使用关怀伦理框架重新定义母亲参与性工作可能有助于去污名化、去罪化和人权保障。