Less Group Cohesion in Family Relationships of Female Street Prostitutes in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper discusses about the family background and socialization barriers of female commercial sex workers. There has been an increase in the number of street prostitutes over the past twenty years. The worst consequence is a loss of social respect and protection for women. A survey of 15 semi-structured interviews was conducted with respondents; obtained from the targeted sampling system for non-random sampling. There is a new trend with drug using and prostitution as well as low education level and prostitution. They sell, distribute, possess and use drugs. 33% of street prostitutes is not involved in drug trafficking. 67% of street prostitutes use drugs. 35% of street prostitutes are involved in drug trafficking. All street prostitutes have only gone to school until the grade ten. 13% of them has never been to school in their lives. 66% of street prostitutes are Sinhalese and 34% are Tamils, no any Muslims. The childhood experiences of women in these street prostitutes are largely the same. When they were little, they received very little parental protection. As such, they were subjected to various forms of abuse. The main abuse was sexual abuse. All of these women had their first sexual intercourse between the ages of 12 and 14. The central and dominant social factor influencing women's prostitution was not having strong family ties and family protection. The child had not received the proper care from the group she had lived in when she was a child. Even after marriage, she does not receive proper care and support from her group. Some women ended their first marriage at the age of 18. She has to fulfill the needs of her life in her own strength. Therefore, women can achieve proper social status by developing group social cohesion.