On the basis of extensive interviews with 40 women working as prostitutes, this book seeks to analyze why women enter the world of prostitution, how the skills and values of the business are transmitted and how the individuals themselves define, perceive and rationalize their activity. The study also presents a profile of the clients of prostitutes and discusses the role of the police - the aims, priorities, rhetoric and practice - involved in the policing of prostitution and kerb-crawling offences. Supported by a detailed theoretical analysis, the research concludes that a variety of factors and experiences - both personal, developmental and socio-situational - combine to make prostitution appear an attractive option and rational occupational choice. As opposed to the traditional stereotypical depiction of prostitutes as hopeless, downtrodden victims of male exploitation living lives of poverty, misery and wretchedness, the picture that emerges in this study is of an independent occupational group organizing and controlling the business in which they work.
By:
Karen Sharpe Imprint: Ashgate Publishing Limited Country of Publication: United Kingdom Edition: New edition Dimensions:
Height: 219mm,
Width: 153mm,
Spine: 156mm
Weight: 453g ISBN:9781840143133 ISBN 10: 1840143134 Pages: 232 Publication Date:18 February 1998 Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
,
A / AS level
,
Further / Higher Education
Format:Hardback Publisher's Status: Active
Karen Sharpe, University of Hull, UK
Reviews for Red Light, Blue Light: Prostitutes, Punters and the Police
'...interesting...many...could profit from examining Sharpe's research design and her provocative conclusions.' The Law and Politics Book Review