NCJ Number
57589
Date Published
1979
Length
290 pages
Annotation
THIS SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF PROSTITUTION INDICATES THAT RUNNING A BROTHEL IS COMPARABLE FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE TO THE MANAGEMENT OF ANY COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT.
Abstract
USING THE FORMAT OF A LIFE HISTORY OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S 20 YEARS IN THE OCCUPATION OF PROSTITUTION, THIS VOLUME EXPANDS UPON THE FINDINGS OF THE AUTHOR'S DOCTORAL DISSERTATION, IN A PRESENTATION ORIENTED TOWARDS SOCIOLOGISTS STUDYING DEVIANT CAREERS. THE VOLUME EXAMINES THE PROCESS BY WHICH ITS SUBJECT MOVED FROM THE 'RESPECTABLE' CULTURE INTO THE DEVIANT SOCIETY, AND THEN BACK AGAIN. DETAILED INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FROM INTERVIEWS WITH THE SUBJECT'S RELATIVES, EMPLOYEES, AND FRIENDS. CORRESPONDENCE AND FAMILY DOCUMENTS ARE ALSO EXAMINED. THE PROCESS BY WHICH PERSONS TAKE ON NEW ROLES AND NEW ASSOCIATIONS IS STUDIED AND FOUND TO BE A FUNCTION OF THE CHANGES IN SOCIAL AND PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH PLACE NEW DEMANDS ON THE INDIVIDUAL. THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS IS OUTLINED, AS IT ENCOURAGES NEOPHYTES TO DISCARD THEIR FORMER VALUES AND ADOPT NEW STANDARDS. PROSTITUTES PERCEIVE THE SEX AND MONEY EXCHANGE AS A BUSINESS TRANSACTION THAT CONSTITUTES THEIR JOB, AS DISTINCT FROM THE ATTITUDE OF WOMEN WHO ACCEPT GIFTS FOR SEXUAL FAVORS. THE CASE STUDY INDICATED THAT THE LOCAL POLICE CONDUCTED FREQUENT RAIDS OF THE HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION, AND THAT THEY WERE NOT SUBJECT TO BRIBERY. THE ARRESTS WERE PERCEIVED BY THE MADAM TO REFLECT NEGLIGENCE ON HER PART IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HER JOB AND IN THE SCREENING OF HER CUSTOMERS. APPENDIXES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)