Behind closed doors : the creation and experience of the female prostitute

Abstract

This study attempted to unravel the contingencies related to female prostitution in Malta: what triggers off prostitution, what are the factors related to continued engagement in prostitution, and possible desistance. By taking a life history career approach, the researcher examined the lived experience of the research participants’ engagement in prostitution from late adolescence to adulthood. To this effect, participants were encouraged to reflect upon the research questions noted above retrospectively. Recruitment was effected through purposive sampling. The research participants were females, adults over eighteen years of age, and with a history of prostitution. For the purpose of this study five semi-structured interviews were carried out with females who have a history of prostitution. Findings revealed a number of factors which are believed to influence the engagement of females in prostitution. The family resulted to be a very prominent contingent in this regard, including the exposure to prostitution through family members. Relationships with peers, and problematic experiences at school also played a significant role. The link with substance abuse, violence and the domination of pimps over prostitutes also emerged while scrutinizing the experience of the research participants’ engagement in sex work. The idea of sex workers as a subcultural community and sex work as a career also emerged. The study’s implications for youth work practice include the provision of outreach in areas with a high concentration of delinquent behaviour where those young people which are considered as hard to reach will be offered youth work services within their own community where they can be more reachable.