Motherhood and Street-based Sex Work in Coimbra, Portugal

Purpose: This paper aims to explore and understand the social issues that sex workers face as mothers and to improve social work practices with high stigmatized persons. Methods: This study has adopted a qualitative methodology. Data were collected through 12 semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis was performed. Results: Despite several constraints, including socioeconomic issues and stigma, having children is central for sex workers' lives and they considered themselves as good mothers, whose self-sacrifice on their children's behalf is not socially recognized or approved. Discussion: Social representation of sex work undermines sex workers' self-perception as mothers and their relationship with social workers. Conclusion: We suggest a non-judgmental and holistic approach to address the special needs of sex workers who are also mothers. Furthermore, it is important to raise awareness on social representations that support social workers' everyday practices.