Materialistic Desires or Childhood Adversities as Explanations for Girls’ Trading Sex for Benefits

Abstract

This study investigates whether high school and younger South Korean girls trade sex with middle-aged men for benefits due to cultural emphasis on materialism/consumerism, childhood adversities, or both. This form of prostitution, referred to as "compensated dating," is common in economically developed East Asian Countries, where there is debate about its causes. Purposeful sampling was used to select a diverse group of 25 girls who described involvement in compensated dating, and a life calendar method was used to guide the interview. The rich data were subjected to thematic analysis to show the nature of prostitution involvement, precursors, and motivations. Data analysis revealed that sole reliance on materialistic desire as an explanation of prostitution obscures the influence of peer pressure and family dysfunction. Findings suggest the need for social services rather than punitive responses to girls involved in compensated dating.

Adolescents Selling Sex and Sex as Self-Injury

“…However, several studies have found an association between adolescents selling sex and not living with two parents (Fredlund et al, 2013;Kaestle, 2012;McNeal & Walker, 2016;Pedersen & Hegna, 2003;Svedin & Priebe, 2007), having unemployed parents (Svedin & Priebe, 2004) and a poor parent-child relationship (Fredlund et al, 2013;McNeal & Walker, 2016;Svedin & Priebe, 2007). Running away from home could be seen as a risk factor for selling sex among adolescents (Edinburgh et al, 2015;Edwards et al, 2006;Hwang & Bedford, 2003;Kaestle, 2012;Roe-Sepowitz, 2012;Song & Morash, 2016). Further, survival sex (giving sex in exchange for food and housing) has been seen among 28% of adolescents living on the street in an study of homeless adolescents (Greene, Ennett, & Ringwalt, 1999).…”

“…Exposure to child sexual abuse and neglect more than doubles the risk of prostitution in young adulthood (Wilson & Widom, 2010). The experience of physical and emotional violence is also associated with selling sex among young people (Bagley & Young, 1987;Farley, 2003;Kaestle, 2012;Pedersen & Hegna, 2003;Roe-Sepowitz, 2012;Song & Morash, 2016).…”

“…In interview studies, adolescents selling sex are described as a heterogeneous group in regard to their motives for selling sex, which vary from pure curiosity to physical force (Bagley & Young, 1987;Edinburgh et al, 2015;Hwang & Bedford, 2004;Song & Morash, 2016;van de Walle et al, 2012). Differences could be seen in the selling of sex being perceived as forced or voluntary (Hwang & Bedford, 2004;van de Walle et al, 2012), even though there might not be a clear line between the experience of being forced or not forced.…”

“…Differences could be seen in the selling of sex being perceived as forced or voluntary (Hwang & Bedford, 2004;van de Walle et al, 2012), even though there might not be a clear line between the experience of being forced or not forced. Motives for selling sex could be coercion or persuasion by a pimp or a boyfriend (Bagley & Young, 1987;Edinburgh et al, 2015;Kennedy, Klein, Bristowe, Cooper, & Yuille, 2007;Rothman, Bazzi, & Bair-Merritt, 2015) or the influence of senior or junior peers (Bagley & Young, 1987;Edinburgh et al, 2015;Song & Morash, 2016). Studies indicate that adolescents who do not have a pimp might experience the selling of sex as more consensual (Edinburgh et al, 2015).…”

“…For some individuals, selling sex could be a way to obtain shelter for the night or it could constitute the main source of income, while others might see it as a way of receiving money or expensive gifts (Edinburgh et al, 2015;Hwang & Bedford, 2004;Song & Morash, 2016;van de Walle et al, 2012).…”