Myths and Misconceptions about Prostitution

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that prostitutes who worked on the streets have historically been controlled and regulated by law. The writer discusses that prior to World War I, under English or American law, however, even though prostitution did not constitute a legal offense in either English or American common law, prostitution was routinely regulated as vagrancy. The writer points out that some people who do not understand how prostitution works may consider prostitution to be a "victim-less crime" and note a minute percentage who may prostitute themselves by choice. The writer concludes that for most, however, their involvement is tragic.

Paper includes approximately 20 additional pages of researched information.

Table of Contents:
The World's Oldest Profession
A Victim-less crime?
Sex for Sale around the World
Myths, Misconceptions and Fallacies
Countering Myths and Fallacies with Facts
Costs of Prostitution
Mutual Indifference between Partners
A Multibillion Dollar Industry
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"In China, prostitution has survived more than 2,000 years in Chinese society, despite social and economic systems' changes, laws, and societal stances about marriage, women and sex. Official sanctions regarding prostitution, as well as, the definition of prostitution have changed, reflecting different dynasty's contexts. During the 1950s, the Communist government exterminated the "sex-for-sale" business in China by implementing strong sanctions against prostitution rings' kingpins and pimps. At the same time, vigorous efforts were made to rehabilitate former prostitutes and vices such as prostitution were not visible in China from the 1950s to the 1970s. During the 1980s, however, prostitution surfaced again."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Burchill, Julie. (1986). "Born Again Cows," Damaged Gods. The Columbia World of Quotations. New York: Columbia University Press, 1996. [29 November 2006]. http://www.bartleby.com/66/74/9074.html
• Davis, N. J. (Ed.). (1993). Prostitution An International Handbook on Trends, Problems, and Policies. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. "11 Myths about Prostitution." (1992). Reprinted from: "Female Juvenile Prostitution: Problem and Response." National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Arlington, Virginia, ). [29 November 2006]. http://www.operationlookout.org/lookoutmag/11_Myths_About_Prostitution.htm.
• Finstad, L., & Hoigard, C. (1993). 11 Norway. In Prostitution An International Handbook on Trends, Problems, and Policies, Davis, N. J. (Ed.) (pp. 207-222). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
• Geis, G. (1993). 12 Portugal. In Prostitution An International Handbook on Trends, Problems, and Policies, Davis, N. J. (Ed.) (pp. 225-238). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
• Hatty, S. E. (1993). 2 Australia. In Prostitution An International Handbook on Trends, Problems, and Policies, Davis, N. J. (Ed.) (pp. 14-41). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

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