The sociology of prostitution

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Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to formulate a critique of the sociology of prostitution by calling into question its theoretical premise—the concept of prostitution. Sociologically defined, prostitution is an occupation in which an individual sells sex in a promiscuous and emotionally indifferent manner. This definition is divided into four parts and each is examined separately. The parts are prostitution as (1) an occupation; (2) an act of selling; (3) a sexual exchange; and (4) a promiscuous and emotionally indifferent activity. Analysis of each aspect reveals that the differences between prostitution and conventional behavior are provisional and that the distinction itself must be dissolved. Because it involves an array of ambiguous elements and paradoxical dimensions, the concept of prostitution fails to organize and to interpret data of direct observation in a coherent and comprehensive fashion.

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