Identity Management as a Coping Strategy for Stigmatization: The Case of Indian Sex Workers in a Libidinal Market

Poor women can face stigmas about indolence, moral turpitude, and substance abuse. This stigmatized condition includes female sex workers, who live and work in situations that exacerbate impoverishment and bring societal exclusion and shame. The authors situate their arguments at the nexus of poverty and stigma and examine the value of identity formation and reformation in the context of female sex workers in India. These women face restrictions to meet basic needs and remain in the profession despite significant challenges. The study reveals five identity pathways in their collective consciousness: protector, sacred, commoditized, provider, and eudaimonic/self-acceptance. Together, these identities serve as themes that reflect the lived experiences of these women, who were forced to endure systemic violence in relative silence. The authors use and advance arguments provided by Hill, Ozanne, and Viswanathan and their various colleagues to frame the current understanding of the women’s plight. This article contributes to theory by revealing that these identities have positive consequences for personal reconfiguration under conditions of vulnerability. The results indicate that public policy should recognize the value of self-identities that support resistance in a marginalized marketplace. Sensitizing stakeholders, including policy makers, to destigmatization may also help sex workers gain the courage of their convictions to leave the profession.