Robert K Merton came up with “Strain Theory” in which he argued that although Deviance can be beneficial to a society- keeping the society in order, it could also promote inequality. In our society it’s more proper for a woman to be modest about her body, the moment she defies that norm she is considered Deviant. In order to encourage a decline of inequality groups will need the help in order to reach that goal. There are many organizations that help groups that experience oppression, HIPS is an organization that helps women in sex work to be more accepted into society as human.
In more detail, Robert K Merton’s Strain Theory is a concept in which society promotes certain norms and values, and yet provides unequal means of meeting or attaining these norms in order to be accepted by a society (Kimmel, 2012). In the United States, or possible most of western society- Promote modesty in women and their bodies. This goal is claimed by either abstinence- most know this route to be unlikely in today’s society, however one is still expected to be modest. Another route is only having sexual relations with someone whom they wish to spend the rest of their life with, even if the relationship fails. A woman must move on with a man whom is likely to care for her. This is considered to be the more appropriate norm in society for women. Find a relationship that is serious, that will possibly lead to marriage, and then children. Prostitutes clearly don’t follow this norm; they sell their bodies in the least modest of ways for a price. Not all women choose the life of a sex worker; many are forced at a young age whether the source is from abduction or the lack of family support
Child welfare systems do not properly help children who are being t...
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...ees them as deviant, and thus they are neglected their rights. The program is about breaking the cycle of incarceration of prostitutes. Until organizations like HIPS become more epidemic in society to promote decriminalization for prostitution, prostitutes will be continue to be treated like criminals instead of victims of abuse and rape.
Works Cited
Kimmel, M. (2012). Sociology now' census update. (p. 161). Wright University: Allyn & Bacon.
Brown, R. (1961, June 22). Catholic charities dignity program. Retrieved from Brown, R. ((1961, June 22)1961, June 22). Retrieved from http://www.catholiccharitiesaz.org/message-from-the-ceo/00002m
Saada Saar, M. (2014). There is no such thing as a child prostitute. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-child-prostitute/2014/02/14/631ebd26-8ec7-11e3-b227-12a45d109e03_story.html
Kelly’s article has raised valid points regarding safety to the prostitute within a brothel, but there is so much evidence that proves the ill effects of this experiment in other countries that the evidence cannot be ignored. Although, parts of the sex trade industry may initially see positive results for some of the workers, the majority would end up worse off than before. Due to the illegal nature of this industry and the control exuded by the pimp, the physical and psychological risk to the prostitute, the highly addictive nature of sex, and the organized crime behind the scenes orchestrating and controlling ever aspect of the industry, it is clear that decriminalizing prostitution would result in significant negative affects on society, prostitutes and those with sexual addictions.
Patty Kelly was an assistant professor of anthropology at Washington State University and she had just completed a study of the place of commercial sex in the modern world when she wrote the essay “Enough Already, It’s Time We Decriminalize Prostitution”. The title itself gives the reader a clear direction in which the author wants to sway the reader. While the essay was written as a response to a political scandal involving New York Senator Elliot Spitzer, Kelly sparks discussion on why prostitution should be legalized. The author backs her stance by providing the result of research that she herself has conducted, along with research conducted by the government of Sweden. Kelly spent a year working as an anthropologist at the Galactic Zone,
The social deviance anomie theory also known as strain theory is defined as means to an end. This means that if the goals that society holds for people are unreachable individuals may turn to illegitimate ways of getting there. Throughout this paper I will provide details as to why we should use anomie theory when defining deviance among brothel workers presented in Brothel Mustang Ranch and its Women written by Alexa Albert.
In the following assignment, it is my intention to produce a research report, examining women involved in street prostitution and how they end up entering the criminal justice system. Within the report I will look at three pieces of research, review their main findings, the type of research that was used, and look to identify where I believe further research is required. My reason for choosing women in the criminal justice system is that I have expressed an interest in the criminal justice setting and my elective module is in this area. Anything that I learn from undertaking this assignment will aid my understanding and increase my knowledge base when undertaking my second placement. Prostitution has been defined as: "Prostitution involves the exchange of sexual services, sometimes but by no means exclusively
According to Satz, there are three types of prostitutes: a streetwalker, a high-end escort, and male prostitutes. The focus of this paper will be on the first two types. A streetwalker can be viewed as a girl who takes up prostitution because she has no other options. She desperately needs the money, yet has no education or skills, so all she can do is sell her body. As she is young and vulnerable, she relies on a pimp for protection. However, the pimp has total control over and decides when and with who she has sex with. She has no autonomy or independence over her body. On the other hand, escorts tend to be high end and cater to wealthy men. They make pretty decent money and have a lot of independence. They have the power to decide when they want to work and who they will accept as their clients. The amount of autonomy is what separates the two,
Hobbs, Sandy. "Child Prostitution." Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2006. Web. 23 Oct. 2015.
In sociology, the term deviance refers to all violations of social rules, regardless of their seriousness (Essentials of Sociology 136). Deviance is an individual or organizational behavior that violates societal norms and is usually accompanied by negative reactions from others. According to a sociologist S. Becker, he stated that it is not the act itself that makes an action deviant, but rather how society reacts to it.
General Strain Theory was reinvented by Robert Agnew in 1992 and contributed a new perception to the present strain theory that was popularized a couple eras ago (Agnew, 1992). Classic strain theory is connected; first with Merton’s (1938), Cohen’s (1955) and Cloward and Ohlin’s (1960). Founded on Durkheim’s theory of anomie (1893), Merton industrialized his theory of deviancy inside a societal fundamental context. Merton’s interpretation on the topic is that goal-expectation inconsistencies, composed with social stratification generates strain between underprivileged societies in turn leading them to use any means necessary, such as criminal, in order to accomplish socially defined goals (Merton, 1938). Merton specified that deviance was a
Some ask why prostitution spreads like a wildfire through our cities and streets. This is an easy question for functionalists, prostitution flourishes because it satisfies sexual needs that are not able to be met elsewhere(Henslin 51). Prostitutes almost seem to serve as an outlet for sexually frustrated men. When a man is unable to find a partner he always holds the option of paying for sexual pleasure. A functionalist, Kingsley Davis, concluded that prostitutes provide a sexual outlet for men who: have difficulty in establishing sexual relationships, cannot find long-term partners, have a broken relationship, want sexual gratification that is defined as immoral, desire quick sexual gratification without attachment, are curious, and are sexually dissatisfied in marriage. From this it is shown that by meeting such needs prostitution functions as a form of social control over sexual behavior. This is beneficial because it brings men with sexual desires away from unwi...
You’re skimming through the “for sale” ads online, just wasting time in hopes to find something that will fulfill your every need. You skim across an ad that offers whatever you want, all you have to do is pay the right price. Would you do it? Would you pay? Do you think twice? Because that’s exactly what happens every day when men and women seek sexual favors. It starts with a want, and ends with a dollar sign. It’s prostitution. In today’s society, the debatable conflict of prostitution definitely affects individuals in a negative way; however, there are positive aspects to such an issue as well.
Prostitution is a topic many don’t like to talk about. There are many different opinions and misconceptions about this type of work. First, there are various women who’ve been missing for long periods and police don’t take prostitution cases seriously. Secondly, prostitutes are at risk of violence by their own clients and can face harmful situations. Lastly prostitutes have a significantly high exposure to STDs especially if protection isn’t used. Many may disagree and believe that prostitution may actually be good for society. One may argue that the law takes great respect in prostitution cases especially that many people despise them. Also, one may argue that prostitutes know how to handle themselves when it comes to physical violence.
When it comes to the topic of legalizing prostitution, most of us readily agree this is a highly debatable, and emotional topic, and at the core, “both men and women have the right to freedom of choice over their sexuality”. But when engaging in this topic, one cannot ignore the positive and negative effects on a nation that legalizes prostitution. In my own opinion, I disagree with the legalization of prostitution, human trafficking takes on major effects on the nation’s economic system.
When it comes to the topic on whether prostitution should be legalized, some of us will readily agree that prostitution should be legalized. Where this argument usually ends, however, is on the question of what benefits does legalizing prostitution have to the people working as prostitutes and to the country. Whereas some are convinced that prostitution is morally wrong and would only exploit prostitutes, others maintain that prostitution has many health, safety and economic benefits. I agree that prostitution should be legalized because legalized prostitution can protect women as well as men from abuse and violence, it can decrease the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and it can be added as revenue for the government.
About 600,000 children under 18 are estimated to be involved with prostitution and pornography, the average age entry to pornography and prostitution is 12. 1 out of 3 of 2.8 million of kids living in the streets will be lured into prostitution about 2 days after leaving home (“Statistics”). There are few social issues that trigger as much outrage as child prostitution or sex trafficking. Child prostitution is a serious world-wide dilemma, and there is so much more to this issue then just the traditional main-stream information. There are three main factors to this topic, who it affects, where it happens, and what we can do to help.
The structure of society is losing ground everyday by what some people view to be human rights. I understand the importance of having freedom to exercise our rights. Some of these rights are morally incorrect, and does not necessarily better society. If prostitution is legalized, society will continue to decay from moral structure and standard. This decline in structure will cause extreme social problems, for example, the commitment for couples to remain monogamous. The bible states, “Because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their heart. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality, so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more”, (“Women’s Devotional Bible Eph. 4.18”). This is not about religion, but an understanding that we are created to feel emotion and desire for intimacy with limitations. These limitations are for our own safety and protection. The intimacy of a couple goes deep into mind and soul, which belongs between two people in love. Sexual acts outside of a romantic relationship are just lustful and violating. Should a person settle for anything less? I think not. Money cannot buy love just empty pleasure and a desire for more. What is the value of a person’s body? Priceless, therefore, people should not sell out for impurity.