Women Working: Prostitution Now

Women who work as prostitutes are struggling against a disadvantaged position in society due to relative poverty and the sale of their most saleable commodity, sex. The author examines how the financial benefits are offset by the attitudes prostitutes encounter from men, who are often trying to compensate for failure in their marriage or an inability to conform to the accepted masculine role. The Law, the media, and public opinion unite to protect the public face of morality and condemn prostitutes as a corrupting influence. Prostitutes campaigns are struggling with these issues and relate this to the feminist efforts to improve the conditions in which women exist and work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Women who engage in prostitution face significant societal disadvantages. The underlying cause of prostitution is often attributed to the relative poverty experienced by many women, as sex becomes their most valuable asset and can yield substantial financial gains. In her groundbreaking work, originally published in 1982, the author delves into the intricate dynamics between prostitutes and their clients. Drawing upon her involvement with PROS (Programme for Reform of the Law on Soliciting), one of the Street Prostitutes Campaigns in Britain, as well as extensive interviews with both prostitutes and their clients, the author explores the complex interplay between the financial rewards and the attitudes encountered by these women.

It is revealed that while the role of the client often reflects the advantageous social position of men, male clients often seek to compensate for marital failures or an inability to conform to the prescribed masculine norms. Separate chapters are devoted to examining the desires and working conditions of clients, while the law, the media, and public opinion unite to uphold the moral façade and condemn prostitutes as a corrupting influence in society.

This study concludes by highlighting the challenges faced by prostitutes' campaigns and their connection to the broader feminist efforts to improve the conditions in which women exist and work. It sheds light on the complex societal dynamics and the ongoing struggles of women who choose to engage in prostitution, seeking to understand the complexities and complexities of their lives and advocate for their rights and well-being.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032279367