Socio-psychological study of the prostitutes

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Women's Studies

Background:

• Prostitution is a complex issue with diverse contributing factors.
• Understanding the socio-economic and personal circumstances of individuals in prostitution is crucial for targeted interventions.
• The Devdasi custom represents a unique socio-cultural context influencing women's entry into sex work.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the socio-economic profiles and motivations of women in prostitution.
• To compare the job satisfaction and contributing factors among different groups of women in sex work (married women vs. Devdasis).
• To identify key factors leading women into prostitution.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive study analyzing the characteristics of prostitutes.
• Data collection on literacy, income, marital status, and job satisfaction.
• Exploration of socio-economic, familial, and cultural factors associated with entering prostitution.

Main Results:

• Only 8% of prostitutes were literate.
• 72% of prostitutes reported nightly incomes between Rs 10 and Rs 30.
• While only one-third of married women expressed happiness with their profession, 95.92% of Devdasis reported liking the profession.

Conclusions:

• Illiteracy, domestic unhappiness, deception, destitution, poor parental socio-economic status, and the Devdasi religious custom are significant factors contributing to women entering prostitution.
• The findings highlight the vulnerability of certain groups, particularly young girls and socially disadvantaged women.
• Interventions should address underlying socio-economic disparities and cultural practices that facilitate exploitation.