Prostitution

Prostitution

CHAPTER-1

Introduction

1.1 PROSTITUTION DEFINED:

T

he Dictionary of English Language defines prostitution as “Act or practice of engaging in sexual intercourse for money.” (Random House Dictionary, 1968)

A person involved in such a practice is called a prostitute which means, “A person, usually a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money; also known as whore; harlot.”

Angela Kahealani a well-known sociologist defines prostitution as, “When you do something for money that you would not be doing without being paid.” She writes that, legally prostitution is the sale of sexual services. The services may consist of any sexual acts, including those which do not involve copulation. While payment may be any nonsexual consideration, most commonly it is the form of money. (Kahealani, Angela 1989)

One of the Encyclopedia’s on Prostitution writes about in these words: “The practice of engaging in relatively indiscriminate sexual activity in exchange for immediate payment in money or other valuables is call prostitution.” (Encyclopedia on Prostitution 1990-92)

Miller writes, “Historically, the majority of prostitutes have been women; however, male prostitution and prostitution of prepubescent children occurs. In general, prostitutes are drawn from those segments of society that are economically marginal and have relatively little political power.” (Miller, 1986)

He says, that in contemporary, technologically developed societies, the vast majority of acts of prostitution are carried out by occasional prostitutes that is, people who use it to supplement lo incomes. Men and woman who rely on prostitution as their primary source of income (so called professional prostitutes) typically have left their natal families in adolescence.
Prostitution, also known as the sex trade or a commercial sex act, is the exchange of a sex act for something of value such as money, clothes, food, a place to stay, transportation, drugs or other survival needs.
In...