ABSTRACT
Women’s generally disadvantaged social position in the context of a capitalist society is central to their experience as prostitutes. This chapter illustrates that how they grapple with this fact both shapes the way in which they are attracted to prostitution, and the pay-offs, drawbacks and horrors their involvement brings. Women’s entry into prostitution is characterised by an act of resistance to the experience of relative poverty or the threat of it. Becoming a prostitute as a way out of relative poverty also accounts for the fact that women may “go on the game” at any age. “Getting more money” also largely accounts for women returning to prostitution after breaks on Social Security, living “on his wages” or in other jobs. Established prostitutes are well aware that they are assumed to be brazen, incorrigible or pathetic.
