Prostitution: Causes, Consequences, and Socioeconomic Issues

Introduction

Prostitution has been termed one of the oldest professions, with its history going back as far as the ancient period. Records of most ancient societies — from Greeks and Romans to Jews, Hebrews, Asians, and Muslims — point to the existence of prostitution several thousand years ago (Sanders, O'Neill & Pitcher, 2009). Today, though illegal in some jurisdictions, prostitution is a widespread practice, with virtually every major urban area across the globe having numerous brothels, escort services, and establishments disguised as massage parlors. Prostitution is also practiced at the sex worker's or client's residence, as well as in adult entertainment venues such as strip clubs.

Emanating mainly from individual and socioeconomic factors, prostitution is associated with a number of dangers for those involved, and may expose one to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This paper describes the causes and consequences of prostitution, clearly demonstrating how individuals become involved, what occurs during the process, and the subsequent effects. First, a definition of prostitution is provided. Next, attention is paid to the factors that may cause prostitution, as well as the consequences and socioeconomic issues associated with the practice.

Defining Prostitution

Though there is no universally accepted definition, prostitution essentially denotes involvement in sexual activity for money or some other form of benefit (Weitzer, 2005). It may also be referred to as sex work or commercial sex (Sanders, O'Neill & Pitcher, 2009). In many societies, it is common for individuals who have had sexual intercourse with several partners without necessarily involving payment to be labeled as prostitutes. For purposes of this paper, however, a prostitute is defined as an individual who engages in sexual activity specifically in exchange for payment.

Prostitution is one element of the larger sex industry, which also encompasses stripping, erotic dancing, and pornography. It takes various forms, mainly street prostitution, brothels, and escort services (Weitzer, 2005). Street sex workers solicit clients along streets, often by wearing provocative clothing. Brothels are settings specifically established for prostitution; in major cities, they are often concentrated in areas known as red-light districts. Street prostitution and brothels differ from escort services in that the latter does not usually involve explicit advertisement or solicitation of sexual activity. Instead, though sexual activity is often involved, clients compensate escorts for spending time with them in a hotel room or at the client's or escort's residence. Prostitution is also common in strip clubs and massage parlors, and may take the form of sex tourism — travelling to engage in sexual activity — and virtual sex, which involves the performance of sexual acts for money over the internet or by phone (Sanders, O'Neill & Pitcher, 2009).

Though gathering data about the industry is quite difficult, largely due to its clandestine nature, estimates indicate that 23 in every 100,000 people in the United States are full-time prostitutes (Sanders, O'Neill & Pitcher, 2009). The prevalence of the practice tends to differ from country to country depending on factors such as culture and the law. Though instances of male sex workers have been on the rise in recent years, commercial sex work has historically been dominated by women (Weitzer, 2005). In other words, women are significantly more likely to engage in sexual activity for payment than men.

Causes and Risk Factors

Prostitution is attributable to a number of factors. Socioeconomic factors present the greatest risk for entry into prostitution (Elmes et al., 2017). Poverty and lack of employment often compel women to use their bodies as a source of income. This is particularly true for women with little or no educational qualifications, from poor backgrounds, and without employed spouses or partners — especially single women with children (Gorkoff & Runner, 2003). For such women, prostitution provides income to pay bills and support their children and families. In addition to economic difficulties, prostitution has become ever more prevalent due to sociocultural changes such as the erosion of conservative moral values, greater advocacy for individual autonomy, the influence of popular culture, and the increased availability and accessibility of pornographic content (Sanders, O'Neill & Pitcher, 2009). These factors have, in various ways, shifted attitudes toward prostitution.

Prostitution may not necessarily stem from socioeconomic factors alone. Individual and family factors can also lead one into sex work. Some individuals may engage in prostitution not primarily to make money, but as a means of self-gratification (Jeffreys, 1997). In other words, prostitution may provide some individuals with a sense of happiness, fulfillment, or freedom. Others may be drawn into prostitution by family members (Gorkoff & Runner, 2003). The socialization of girls and young women into sex work by a mother, sister, cousin, aunt, or other relative is, in fact, quite common. Because people tend to trust their family members, being led into prostitution in this manner can happen with relative ease. For instance, a mother may use the circumstances at hand to convince her daughter to engage in sex work, gradually shifting the daughter's perception until she comes to view prostitution as an acceptable source of income.

Kidnapping and coercion can also lead one into prostitution (Sanders, O'Neill & Pitcher, 2009). Coercion is particularly common and often involves young women being promised false employment opportunities by peers, traffickers, or gangs. The victim ends up in prostitution and eventually becomes accustomed to the situation. Once involved, a person may be reluctant to leave or to testify against their captor due to fear of assault and violence.

Conclusion

Overall, prostitution has become more commonplace over the years, with individual and socioeconomic factors playing a crucial role. Increased prostitution has consequently elevated the risk for physical violence, sexual assault, injury, emotional difficulties, behavioral complications, and STDs. In other words, prostitution endangers the physical, behavioral, and emotional health of sex workers. Addressing the problem, therefore, requires consideration of a wide range of contributing factors and their interrelated effects.

References

Elmes, J., Skovdal, M., Nhongo, K., et al. (2017). A reconfiguration of the sex trade: How social and structural changes in eastern Zimbabwe left women involved in sex work and transactional sex more vulnerable. PLoS ONE, 12(2): e0171916.

Farrell, A., & Cronin, S. (2015). Policing prostitution in an era of human trafficking enforcement. Crime, Law, and Social Change, 64(4–5): 211–228.

Gorkoff, K., & Runner, J. (2003). Being heard: The experiences of young women in prostitution. Winnipeg: Fernwood Publishing.

Jeffreys, S. (1997). The idea of prostitution (1st ed.). Melbourne: Spinifex Press.

Sanders, T., O'Neill, M., & Pitcher, J. (2009). Prostitution: Sex work, policy and politics. London: SAGE.

Weitzer, R. (2005). New directions in research on prostitution. Crime, Law, and Social Change, 43(4–5): 211–235.