Prostitution

When one hears the word "prostitution", they cringe. Most people envision dirty young girls, living in the streets, selling their bodies to anyone who wants them. Drugs and sexually transmitted diseases are associated with these sex workers and anyone they come in contact with. Until recently, many people have pretended it was not a major issue in our city, and that stories that were heard were mostly made up and dramatized from a movie. The fact is, prostitution is abundantly present in Montreal, and it does no good to turn the other cheek and pretend it doesn't exist. People need to begin to accept the presence of sex workers and to open their eyes and mind to the harsh reality that there is a strong demand for their services. Prostitution is violence against women.

In order to categorize prostitutes as deviants, we must first define the word. Deviance is a "presumed behavior that defies expectations that are made and enforced by people with power, and have applied to particular people or groups in particular situations." This is considered a universal definition, however it is believe that when dealing with prostitution, deviance must be culturally defined. The occupation of prostitution takes several basic forms. Most female prostitutes work as "street walkers", luring clients in public places such as hotels and bars. These workers are usually poorly educated, and include minorities and new teenage prostitutes, as well as older ones looking to soon retire. Other workers who have higher status and higher earnings work in brothels usually disguised as massage parlors or clubs. The third type of sex worker is a "call girl". They work out of hotel rooms or apartments, and are usually in business through an escort agency. These are regarded as the better-educated prostitutes, who may hope to achieve a high social status of mistress.

No matter which form of prostitution these workers fall into, research shows that there is a basic thread that links these girls together. It is estimated that "67% of prostitutes enter the profession under the age of 18", due to the dissatisfaction with their interaction with family members. The "Typical" prostitute has often endured some form of physical, emotional or sexual abuse from their guardians. The average age of prostitutes ranges from 22 to 25 years old, with the majority beginning their career between 16-20 years old. In some instances, the youth has lived in a foster home when they initially removed themselves from their abusive home. The years of abuse destroyed the youth' self-esteem and self-image, leading them to make destructive decisions about their future. Initially, when the girls leave home, they do not intend to become prostitutes. However, their lack of skills and experience limit her decisions, and prostitution serves as a way out. When these girls leave their