The Mothering Experiences of Sex-Trafficked Women: Between Here and There

Authors: Peled, Einat & Parker, Ayelet

Abstract: This qualitative study focuses on the mothering experiences of women from the former Soviet Union (FSU) who were sex-trafficked to Israel. In-depth interviews were conducted with 8 women who gave birth either in the FSU or in Israel. The women's stories reflect 3 experiential spheres, those of "the good mother," "the sacrificing mother," and "the mother who wants for herself." These mothering spheres were found to exist against the backdrop of a life between 2 countries, where the women's mothering is split between "here" and "there." Furthermore, it was found that the women's sex-trafficking experience continually threatened to invade the 3 mothering spheres and destabilize the balance among them. The splits and conflicts among the mothering spheres are examined from a gendered perspective with emphasis on mother-daughter relationships and on the social constructions of mothering and prostitution.

Keywords: Israel, abuse, former Soviet Union, immigrant mothers, motherhood, prostitution, self-sacrifice, sex industry, sex-trafficked mothers, sexual exploitation