Citation

Williamson C, Baker LM. Qual. Soc. Work 2009; 8(1): 27-44.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1473325008100420

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Women engaged in street-based prostitution have been studied from a number of perspectives. Little research was found that focused on their work styles. This study was conducted to gain a better understanding of work styles of women involved in street-based prostitution in the Midwest. Of the 53 women interviewed, 12 were or had been involved in Pimp-Controlled prostitution. In Renegade prostitution were 27 women who worked as independent entrepreneurs and were interested in building a substantial client base. The remaining 14 women, involved in Outlaw prostitution, hustled, manipulated, and exploited their customers. Each work style has its own unique features, such as language, ethical behavior, and amount of control over their work activities. Understanding the work styles of prostitute women adds to the body of literature on women involved in street-based prostitution and provides some implications for social work practice and future research.