Sociological Impact of Prostitution, Article Review Example

Prostitution is not a new concept or term in society and has been around since the dawn of time. In a recent article published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Bob Egelko wrote about a 1953 California law that forbids a person form enticing or recruiting another person into prostitution (2011).  The court ruled that a Los Angeles man would receive a four year prison sentence for offering to provide clothing and housing to a woman that was already working as a prostitute. He explained to the woman, who was an undercover police agent, that he was a pimp and that in return for her clothing and housing that he would tend to her money. The court ruled against the man, even though his attorney questioned how he was recruiting her to become a prostitute, when she was already one. The judge suggested that he intended for her to continue prostituting and change her business relationship to become a prostitute in the future, regardless of her current status (Ebelko, 2011).

Prostitution dates back to ancient societies where selling sex was not seen as devious. In fact, the act of selling sex was regarded as a respected status. The use of prostitution was used in religious rituals in temples and commonly accepted in affluent social circles (Parrillo, 2005). For some, the act of selling their bodies to strangers is repulsive and therefore commonly misunderstood. There are other factors at play than the simple decision of becoming a prostitute, especially in today’s society, where it is illegal and considered immoral. According to the text, there are other factors, such as poverty, drug use, sexual abuse and criminal activity (Parrillo, 2005). These factors have all been extensively studied and found to have a positive correlation of prostitutes. Poverty may be the most obvious of the factors, as selling sex for money can result in better than average wages.

Women and men that are oppressed through poverty may easily fall prey to the ability to make “quick” money for sexual acts. Drug use and criminal activity are also common amongst prostitutes and some research suggests that the common link is the fact that they trade sex for drugs (Parrillo, 2005). One could also assume that drug use works to inhibit ones beliefs and morals, which may lead them to engage in activities that they would not normally have without an altered state of mind. Once addicted to drugs the individual may find themselves in a continuous cycle of abuse between the drugs and prostitution. According to Parrillo, social isolation and sexual abuse have a direct effect on prostitution as well. What Parrillo is referring to are adolescents that are isolated from their families and are not able to care for themselves without the help of others. These young children are on the streets with no money, skills or family to turn to and are quickly preyed upon by others engaging them into prostitution. The text notes that these children generally become the object of sexual fantasies, abuse and slavery, which fuels the cycle of prostitution.

I find the article written by Bob Egelko very interesting. While a 1950’s law may seem outdated it certainly should be upheld by courts. Those that entice or attempt to recruit others into prostitution are doing so for their own financial gain. They in no way are considering the individual’s needs, but are using them as a tool for personal gain. I also agree with the text book in the fact that there are many considerations and factors that play a role in prostitution. These individuals have generally been exposed to sexual abuse, drug use and social isolation that led them to find a means of escape.

References

Egelko, Bob. “Hiring away prostitutes is illegal, court rules.” San Francisco Bay Area — News, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Classifieds: SFGate. N.p., 3 June 2011. Web. 4 June 2011. <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/03/BAFD1JOSEP

Parrillo, Vincent N.. Contemporary social problems. 6th ed. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2005. Print.