‘Can you give me a lót of condoms, ‘cause do you’ve got any idea how much a bag of cement costs?’ Adolescent Sex work, Future, Agency and Social Support on Isla de Margarita and in Caracas

Abstract

Abstract: This article conducts an exploratory analysis of the multidimensional relationship between future, agency and context of adolescent (under age and adult) sex workers in Caracas and Isla de Margarita. A multi-method approach is used to clarify the way in which these young Venezuelan people creatively struggle on a daily basis with their context and background for the sake of organizing their current and long-term situation. Above all, it demonstrates that context factors are of decisive importance for the future prospects and perception, but that they leave a space for the adolescents who sell sex to exert their agency. Next, social agents are shown to downplay this agency of sex workers and to stimulate their long-term future poorly. Therefore, the article’s aim is to provide an in-depth and qualitative analysis on the discrepancy between the youngsters’ own interpretations and future dreams at the one side and the approach of governmental and nongovernmental support towards adolescent sex work at the other.