'Being a punter implies taking risks': misogynistic masculinity of male prostitutors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain

ABSTRACT

This study examines the behaviour of men who buy prostitution sex in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic by analysing the discourse of those who participated in prostitution-related online forums during the first year of the pandemic in Spain. Applying the Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA) methodology, this study applies the notion of "masculinity as a risk factor" to men who buy prostitution sex, as they endanger the health of prostituted women, other women and men, and their own. In addition, this article proposes a fourth dimension regarding possible negative aspects of masculinity on society and public health in the context of the pandemic. The identification of male prostitutors with a type of masculinity with overt misogynistic traits must be addressed as a problem from both an epidemiological point of view and a human rights perspective.