NCJ Number
63760
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 14 Issue: 56 Dated: (WINTER 1979) Pages: 665-680
Date Published
1979
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER EXPLORES THE PRECIPITATING SOCIAL CONDITIONS AND EXPERIENCES THAT MIGHT PREDISPOSE A GIRL TOWARDS DEVIANT SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND PROSTITUTION AND DISCUSSES TREATMENT BY THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
AN INCREASING NUMBER OF FEMALE ADOLESCENT RUNAWAYS IS RAPIDLY DROPPING THE AVERAGE AGE OF PROSTITUTES WHO ARE ARRESTED. ARRESTS OF PROSTITUTES UNDER AGE 25 IN NEW YORK INCREASED FROM 24 TO 74 PERCENT IN THE PREVIOUS 10 YEARS. IN BOSTON, THE AVERAGE AGE FOR PROSTITUTION IS 20; IN MIAMI, 18. STUDIES OF ADULT PROSTITUTES REVEAL SEVERAL COMMON CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, AND ONE OR MORE OF THESE CONDITIONS MAY OCCUR IN GIRLS WHO BECOME ADOLESCENT PROSTITUTES. THESE PRECIPITATING SOCIAL CONDITIONS INCLUDE A LACK OF STRONG FAMILY TIES WITH SEPARATION, DIVORCE, AND BATTERING COMMON IN FAMILIES WITH MANY CHILDREN; PARENTAL ABUSE, COMMONLY THAT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT; AND A LOW LEVEL OF EDUCATION. IN ADDITION, CHANGE APPEARS TO BE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN INCREASING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORIENTATION, AND DISRUPTIONS AT HOME OR SCHOOL MAY CONTRIBUTE FURTHER TO NORMLESSNESS, ANOMIE, OR, EVENTUALLY, PROSTITUTION. GIRLS ENTERING PROSTITUTION MAY BE MOTIVATED BY QUICK FINANCIAL SUCCESS, THE PROMISE OF SOCIAL EXCITEMENT AND ADVENTURE, OR THE MODEL OFFERED BY A FRIEND OR RELATIVE. IN ADDITION, INSTITUTIONALIZATION MAY CONTRIBUTE TO DEVIANT SOCIALIZATION, WITH OFFENDERS EXCHANGING STORIES ABOUT SEXUAL ACTIVITIES IN THE ABSENCE OF DIVERSION BY MEANINGFUL PROGRAMS. OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE EMOTIONS OF ANGER OR HOSTILITY TOWARDS THE FAMILY, AND OF SELF-SURVIVAL OR POWERLESSNESS, EARLY PROMISCUITY, PARTICULAR OCCUPATIONS, DRUG ABUSE, AND RUNNING AWAY. STUDIES INDICATE THAT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM EXACERBATES THE SITUATION THROUGH STIGMATIZATION, WHICH, IN TURN, INSTILLS FURTHER SELF-DEROGATION AND DEVIANCE. REMEDIAL EDUCATION, SEX EDUCATION, AND TRAINING IN VALUES CLARIFICATION IS RECOMMENDED TO SHORT-CIRCUIT THE PROCESS OF SELF-DENIGRATION, AND NEW FORMS OF TEACHING AND ROLE-MODELS ARE SUGGESTED TO DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE VALUE SYSTEMS AND COUNTERACT DEPRIVATION. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)