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Biosocial factors influencing women to become prostitutes in India

1994; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 41; Issue: 3-4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/19485565.1994.9988876

1948-5573

Molly Chattopadhyay, Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay, Chandralekha Duttagupta,

Sex work and related issues

Based on materials collected during a study of risk factors associated with cervix cancer among prostitutes in Domjur, Howrah, West Bengal, this report explores various biosocial factors which may lead women to prostitution. When family and marital ties fail or disintegrate for various reasons, the life situations which a woman encounters may themselves generate a "process" of anchorlessness. The failure of family support along with the lack of ability to provide for themselves due to poverty and illiteracy were key factors why the women in this study had adopted prostitution.In India, interviews with 33 female prostitutes in Domjur, Howrah District, West Bengal, were conducted to understand the processes by which women become prostitutes. 84.8% were Hindus, 72.7% of whom were from lower castes. 31 prostitutes were illiterate. The prostitutes tended to have most recently worked as domestic workers, casual laborers, or farm laborers. The main reason for leaving their last occupation was obligation to provide sex services. 21 had been married. More than 50%, who had been married before age 18, became prostitutes before age 25 and were older than 30. 66% did not engage in illicit sex before becoming prostitutes. About 20% had been prostitutes for more than 15 years. Most prostitutes earned about Rs. 1000/month. Most prostitutes send remittances to their families. About 50% still had friendly relations with their native places. The prostitutes took care of each other. 66% had a maximum number of 5 clients/day. Three prostitutes had as many as 7-8 clients/day. Life events and the prostitutes' reactions to these events that led them to become prostitutes belonged to two categories: 1) women were either widowed (17 women) or abused by husbands and in-laws (4 women), leaving them with no social or economic support and 2) women chose prostitution as an easy means to support themselves (9 women) or because they had sexual urges or were curious (3 women). The prostitutes tended not to use health care services due to perceived need to hide their identities, time constraints, and overly expensive health care. They were referred to the State General Hospital, where their profession was known. They received adequate treatment (e.g., for sexually transmitted diseases) and were happy to be respected and asked the right questions. 70% wanted to quit the profession. These findings show that key factors for these women adopting this type of life style were lack of family support and inability to provide for themselves due to poverty and illiteracy.