Document Type : Research
Authors
1
Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
2
PhD student in Economic Sociology and Development, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
3
MA in Sociology, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
Abstract
Prostitution, a phenomenon dating back to the early human societies, has been the source of humiliation and dire consequences for women who provide sexual services. Despite its economic benefits, this social malaise has been linked to a myriad of deleterious outcomes in society and has soiled the human dignity of women and families. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the context of prostitution from the perspective of prostituted women in Tehran. In this qualitative study, which was conducted using thematic analysis, 10 women involved in prostitution in Tehran were selected as the sample using purposive and snowball sampling methods. These individuals had distinctive individual, family, social, economic, and cultural characteristics. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview, and data analysis was conducted by the content analysis method. According to the results, six main themes (family turmoil, improper relationships, social harm, economic problems, traumatic situations, and cultural and traditional problems) and 16 subthemes (homelessness, addiction in the family, emotional-sexual deprivation, crisis-avoidant marriage, traumatic social relationships, fear of commitment and responsibility, abnormal sexual activism, men's sexual view of women, low social status, low-paying jobs, gender gap and inequality in employment, poor economic status of family, workplace tainted with sexual issues, traumatic environment, weak traditions and modern lifestyle, and poor beliefs) emerged. Prostitution is a multi-factorial phenomenon that arises from troubled families, crime-prone environments, a damaged society, poverty, and a culture rife with contradictions. The research suggestions are focused on strengthening employment and economic equality for women, building culture and promoting social participation, and offering preventive and awareness-raising education to mitigate the harm of prostitution.
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