ABSTRACT
Essential to an understanding of prostitution is the role of the client. What is well documented, and largely taken for granted, is the fact that men need and demand sex and that women supply it. At the turn of the century it was recognised that the prostitute was more than a channel to drain off superfluous energy, the motive is not one of uncomplicated lust. For men who are physically and mentally handicapped or disabled or who are unable to compete with other males in winning female sexual partners the availability of prostitutes is a real blessing. Trying to establish how many men resort to prostitutes is difficult not least because of the secrecy attached to the transaction. The relationship between prostitute and client is usually well defined. It is always on a commercial basis and, as such, is largely a business transaction, a clinical process, comparatively impersonal and devoid of any mutual respect, emotion or affection.
