prostitution as a social problem
PROSTITUTION AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM Prostitution is a social problem not only in Kenya but the world over and is said to be the oldest trade in the world. ... Despite efforts to eradicate it, prostitution has the uncanny ability of adapting itself to any institutional system. Whether tolerated as a social evil or outlawed as an illegal act it has always managed to thrive in society. ... The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines prostitution as “the offering of the body to indiscriminate lewdness for hire”. ... The above definitions are noted to have included both male and female prostitutes contrary to others such as the one in Stones Justices’ Manual that defines prostitution as “the offering for reward by a female of her body commonly for purposes of general lewdness. ... In these definitions, prostitution requires the female to be promiscuous. ... However prostitution and prostitutes according to Merton and Nisbet rise in social esteem insofar as several conditions are present; i. ... The earnings of prostitution are used for a goal considered socially desirable. ... Disesteem for prostitution is manifest mainly by reluctance by many to have a brothel or a red light district in their neighbourhoods, or to be identified with the business or its personnel. Prostitution also offends moral imperatives due to its nature. In Kenya prostitutes are especially looked down upon by society which has designated it to the lowest rungs of the social ladder as they do not seem to offer any meaningful contributions to the society. ... TYPES OF PROSTITUTES There are two main types of prostitution in modern society classified according to their methods of operation: the organized and the disorganized. a) Unorganized Prostitution This includes individual common prostitutes who procure their clients in hotels, bars or the streets, also known as streetwalkers. ... b) Organized Prostitution This includes prostitutes who work in organized brothels and the streetwalkers who work in collaboration with pimps also fall under this category. ... Some of the brothels in Kenya are found in upmarket residential areas such as Karen, Ngong Road, Westlands and Parklands which is especially notorious to this form of prostitution. ... Another form of organized prostitution is the massage parlour. ... Whereas some massage parlours are legitimate establishments that provide massage, and only massage, to their customers, many Kenyan massage parlours serve as fronts for prostitution. ... The other form of organized prostitution is call girls/ escorts who occupy the highest status in the social ladder of female prostitution. ... CAUSES OF PROSTITUTION Causes of prostitution may be found in biological, social, psychological and economic spheres. In the biological sphere, prostitution is a condition said to be created as a result of young males looking for women to satisfy their sexual urges. ... Prostitution thus offers her a way in which she will feel wanted by other people. The economic factor is believed by many to be the main cause of prostitution. Many of these girls have indeed dropped out of school due to lack of fees and the educated ones have lacked jobs therefore turn to prostitution as means of survival. ... The prospects of an easier lifestyle away from poverty and abusive parents as well as the apparent glamour of city life does attract many young girls to prostitution especially those from rural areas. ... REASONS FOR PROSTITUTION Prostitution may then be said to exist to cater for the demands of supply, by supplying what is needed by those who seek it. ... Prostitution may be attractive to men who do not want to spend the time, effort and money involved in dating and getting to know someone simply to obtain sex.