Three key issues presented in Wednesday's readings and Dateline's Sex Trafficking Video all for around the research and investigations surrounding child prostitution and sex trafficking. First, many Vietnamese and Asian countries have high rates of child prostitution, with children beginning to sell their bodies by the Young age of 6, reportedly introduced to this type of employment by neighbor, friends and relatives. The Thai government came under global scrutiny in the early 1990's, in the 1993 government crackdown, brothels and bars began to be very careful not to hire prostitutes under the age of 18. Second, research led to such findings as a small community of migrants whose families were living in slum conditions on the outskirts of a larger town, had a shocking rate of 35 out of 65 children, both boys and girls that worked in prostitution in some capacity. Vietnam had similar ratios: out of 65 children interviewed, 26 admitted to working in prostitution. Lastly, this issue stems from issues mentioned in my past blog postings. Children feel a debt of gratitude towards their parents, especially their mother and believe it is part of their duty to support their families as best they can, even from a very young age. Therefore, if tragedy strikes or the family is poverty stricken, children turn to selling their bodies for profit and actually feel they are doing a needed and honorable thing for their families.
One more issue that I thought was very important to mention as a fourth key fact is that through research findings, writings and analysis Three tell-tale themes have developed from the life stories of 22 girls. those three themes are 1) Poverty leaves few choices, 2) The dream comes true, 3) Abuse breeds prostitution.
Sadly, I do understand the reasoning behind the madness. For many this is what provides life's basic necessities and the chain of poverty continues. Absent parent homes, sickness and disease, single parents, alcoholism, gambling......all these issues are prevalent in poverty stricken areas, often times leaving no choice but for children to take whatever means necessary for family survival. Young women and children work selling their bodies, men however lack earning capacity in prostitution and are forced to leave and travel elsewhere for job opportunities, such as construction. This further divides poverty stricken families.
I was angered to learn that businessmen such as the British Businessman who frequented Thailand and visiting a small 8 year old girl named Lek, and the U.S. doctor who's taping of illicit activities in Cambodia are currently under investigation, would take advantage of the state of poverty stricken foreigners! This is something in which all governments need to take a more active role in prevention, investigation, action and punishment.
Works Cited:
Children for Sale: MSNBC Clip on Chris Hansen's Investigation into International Sex Trafficking of Children
Montgomery, H. (2007). Working with child prostitutes in Thailand: Problems of practice and interpretation. Childhood, 14(4), 415.
Rubenson, B., Hanh, L. T., Hojer, B., & Johansson, E. (2005). Young sex-workers in ho chi minh city telling their life stories. Childhood, 12(3), 391
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