No typical john, sex study shows

EDMONTON — A new and extensive study on men who use prostitutes shatters the myth that they are just lonely, uneducated transients. It says there is no such thing as a "typical john."

The study, done by two Edmonton researchers, says all kinds of men seek out prostitutes. "We would like to believe it is not our brothers, our fathers, our uncles, our neighbours or our co-workers," said criminologist Diane Symbaluk.

Symbaluk's team interviewed 300 men who had been sent to the Edmonton's Prostitution Offenders Program, commonly known as John School.

Most of the men, who ranged in age from 17 to 80, told researchers they were in "close and meaningful" relationships.

At least 70 per cent of the men said they didn't enjoy sex with prostitutes. Symbaluk said she would have to conduct further studies to learn why the men would engage in behaviour they claim not to enjoy.