Stereotypes Of Prostitution

Between 100,000 and 300,000 children a year are sold for forced sexual exploitation throughout America, a number that is continuing to rise. These women and children who are involved in sex trafficking are often not in the profession by choice; instead, they are forced into it, become trapped, and are unable to leave. If they are able to get out, they often have a difficult time fitting back into society. By gaining a better understanding of human trafficking, society can help diminish the stereotypes centered around prostitution. One of the biggest stereotypes of how these victims get involved in prostitution is that they are abducted off the streets by a stranger hiding around a street corner or driving by in a van and kidnapping a random child. While abduction does happen, it is not necessarily the most typical way …show more content…
Many people do not know that many of these girls are coerced into the life of prostitution by a pimp who stages as an older boyfriend. Often times, this “older boyfriend” targets girls who are insecure, have an unstable home life, or who have been sexually abused so that he can fill that hole in her life to make her fall in love with him. Once this happens and the pimp knows that she will not run, he convinces her to try prostitution or stripping for a night because he needs money. A pimp uses psychological manipulation to brainwash his victim into thinking that he loves her, and selling herself for sex will only be a temporary thing; he makes the girl believe that they can still have a happily ever after (Smith 11). Another extremely unknown entrance for victims of sex trafficking is through