I was appalled at the strife that child prostitute must endure. “At least 300,000 children and adolescents are prostituted every year in the United States” (Kiem, 2009). I had no idea that these child prostitutes have to enter the workforce so young. Most child prostitutes are only 13 or 14 years old and this causes the children to classify their captors as father figures. This classification as a father figure forces many child prostitutes to classify their captors as father figures. Since the child prostitutes classify their captors as father figures, it is very hard for them to be saved or to have them prosecute their pimp since they are emotionally invested into their captors. A lack in international law also allows for prostitution to flourish. Financially successful pimps are able to easily move between countries and are not prosecuted harshly enough. They are able to provide bribes when needed, so focus needs to be put on battling corruption. Also, a unified organization to battle child trafficking will allow for child traffickers to be prosecuted correctly and fairly.
The article about child prostitution intrigued me because I only ever looked at prostitution as a bad thing. However, not all of these children that practice want to be saved, or are committing prostitution strictly for the benefit of their parents. Some of the child prostitutes use their excess money for gambling, alcohol etc. The lack of governmental control needs to be accounted for the prevalence of child prostitution, but some of our class articles are also forcing me to question other factors. The access to education is one of the key factors that I believe is overlooked. Many of these child prostitutes are misinformed about facts regarding their access to opportunity. Many believe that they have no other options other than child prostitution. While child prostitution is the most lucrative, I believe there are other economic options. However, a young child is going to classify information from their parents as 100% fact. I believe it would be highly effective if we could break this cycle of misinformation by correctly educating parents and their children on alternative economic solutions to prostitution.
Another point I would like to highlight is the idea that poverty drives girls into prostitution. Poverty can break down the family structure which allows for young girls to be vulnerable to child prostitution. The poverty forces families to allow their children to enter prostitution to help the family financially. Our Modern Slavery video shows how many families will force their children into slavery in order to battle poverty. “In Thailand the children enter prostitution as soon as they are old enough in order to support their parents” (2011). These actions by parents are human rights violations and need to be regulated by international committees.“Men prey on young women promising them everything they have ever wanted with the sole intention of benefiting from their exploitation” (Kiem, 2009). These pimps are not only taking advantage of the young girls but are also taking advantage of their parents. The prostitution of children has become a pyramid scheme and should not be treated as every other crime. The pimps can be locked up but new pimps will emerge and prostitution will continue unless we eliminate poverty!
The article about child prostitution intrigued me because I only ever looked at prostitution as a bad thing. However, not all of these children that practice want to be saved, or are committing prostitution strictly for the benefit of their parents. Some of the child prostitutes use their excess money for gambling, alcohol etc. The lack of governmental control needs to be accounted for the prevalence of child prostitution, but some of our class articles are also forcing me to question other factors. The access to education is one of the key factors that I believe is overlooked. Many of these child prostitutes are misinformed about facts regarding their access to opportunity. Many believe that they have no other options other than child prostitution. While child prostitution is the most lucrative, I believe there are other economic options. However, a young child is going to classify information from their parents as 100% fact. I believe it would be highly effective if we could break this cycle of misinformation by correctly educating parents and their children on alternative economic solutions to prostitution.
Another point I would like to highlight is the idea that poverty drives girls into prostitution. Poverty can break down the family structure which allows for young girls to be vulnerable to child prostitution. The poverty forces families to allow their children to enter prostitution to help the family financially. Our Modern Slavery video shows how many families will force their children into slavery in order to battle poverty. “In Thailand the children enter prostitution as soon as they are old enough in order to support their parents” (2011). These actions by parents are human rights violations and need to be regulated by international committees.“Men prey on young women promising them everything they have ever wanted with the sole intention of benefiting from their exploitation” (Kiem, 2009). These pimps are not only taking advantage of the young girls but are also taking advantage of their parents. The prostitution of children has become a pyramid scheme and should not be treated as every other crime. The pimps can be locked up but new pimps will emerge and prostitution will continue unless we eliminate poverty!
I believe that we need to focus on eliminating poverty. Since poverty is generational, the same areas are subject to prostitution. The cycles of prostitution do not allow for children to escape. By eliminating poverty, family structures will be stronger, allowing for parents to have greater control of their children. Also, the desire to allow their children to fall into the hands of a pimp will greatly decrease. The GEM Program is doing wonderful things and I believe that we should create more programs like this. The GEM program focuses on the long view theory which I think is the best possible defense for women to resist prostitution. Prostitution is not something can be cured overnight, and it the deeper psychological elements must be considered and rectified. America has several awareness programs for human trafficking but I believe that we need to create a greater number of awareness campaigns. I was not aware of much of the plight of child sex slaves until I took this course. Now that I am educated, I feel better empowered to combat child trafficking. I know there are many other people out there similar to me that need just a little bit of education to become a positive force in the fight against child trafficking.
Work Cited:
Montgomery, H. (2007). Working with child prostitutes in Thailand: Problems of practice and interpretation. Childhood, 14(4), 415.
Montgomery, H. (2007). Working with child prostitutes in Thailand: Problems of practice and interpretation. Childhood, 14(4), 415.
Modern Slavery: Captive Servants and Child Prostitution. Films Media Group, 2008. Films On Demand. Web. 11 April 2011. < http://digital.films.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=1850&xtid=41369 >.
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