T hough prostitution has the potential to be lucrative, most sex workers rarely reap the benefits of their revenue, according to a new report on the economics of sex work. The study commissioned by the Justice Department looked at the underground commercial sex economy in eight major U. Researchers conducted interviews with pimps, traffickers, sex workers and child pornographersβmany of whom were serving timeβabout their business dealings in those areas. Atlanta was the most profitable city, and Denver was the least.
Half of the pimps interviewed advertised online, and one fourth of those interviewed used sites like Backpage. Pimps can spend thousands on hotel rooms and shopping sprees for their employees, according to the report. And it turns out that family has a greater influence on the decision to go into sex work then previously thought. The study found that pimps and sex workers were often encouraged by family members to get into the business.
Some grew up around sex work, normalizing the practice, and decided to take it on themselves when they grew up. In other instances, prostitutes would ask family members for protection and eventually ask them to act as pimps. About 30 percent of the subjects interviewed said they had family members involved in the industry.
Gang bangers, helicopter over your roof. Seeing glitz and glamour, I always wanted that. Coming up like that, having square jobs was never appealing. One illicit sex industry that defied economic calculus was the child pornography industry. According to the study, kiddie porn is often traded for free.
(mh=kbfoRud9Hp_ansfo)10.jpg "Anal Girl in Las vegas")
Write to Eliana Dockterman at eliana. Getty Images. By Eliana Dockterman. Get our Health Newsletter. Sign up to receive the latest health and science news, plus answers to wellness questions and expert tips. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Now. Check the box if you do not wish to receive promotional offers via email from TIME.
