Help‐seeking behavior among young street males

Abstract

This study explores and analyzes the help‐seeking behavior of urban young street males who engage in prostitution. The target population of 70 young male prostitutes came from the streets of a northeastern metropolitan area. Structured face‐to‐face interviews and direct observation of informal and formal settings where young street males congregate were used to gather data. Major findings indicate that the majority receive high levels of emotional support from families and friends. Most informants report receiving high levels of physical support from families but not from friends. In terms of formal systems, medical services, legal services and ministerial help are seen as most accessible, while police, social, and mental health services are viewed as much less available or useful. Implications for social work practice are considered.

Notes

Cudore L. Snell, L.I.C.S.W., D.S.W., is Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work, Howard University, Washington, D.C. This article is based upon a doctoral dissertation (Snell, 1989) which was awarded the annual dissertation prize for excellence by the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex. The author thanks Bogart R. Leashore, Ph.D., Jerry R. Cales, Ph‐D. and the anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on earlier drafts and Kathy L. Cunningham for her clerical support and good humor.