NCJ Number
82764
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1982) Pages: 24-29
Date Published
1982
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A total of 100 prostitutes from several cities in Northern India were compared with 100 women from the general female population of Chandigarh City, India, to determine the psychosocial background and personality characteristics of prostitutes in India.
Abstract
The prostitutes included both active prostitutes and inmates. The comparison group members were matched with the prostitutes for age, marital status, and educational level. Two instruments were used to measure psychoticism, extraversion, neuroticism, tendencies to lie, alienation, social nonconformity, discomfort, expression, and defensiveness. Significant differences were found between the two groups on seven personality dimensions. The prostitutes appeared to be more psychotic, neurotic, and extraverted, as well as more socially nonconformist, personally disturbed, and alienated. The two groups did not differ on the lie and defensiveness scale. Prostitutes belonged to families of slightly lower socioeconomic levels than the comparison group. Prostitutes also had more homosexual experiences and had their first sexual experience at a lower age than the controls. Prostitutes were more often the middle members of their families. Findings were consistent with other studies suggesting that delinquents most often occupy the middle of younger sibling position in the family. Findings on personality characteristics and early sexual experience also agreed with other studies. The interview data also indicated that the first prostitution event resulted largely from being abandoned or misled by a lover, raped forcibly, or emotionally traumatized. The prostitutes also had little interest in sexuality, viewed themselves as victims, and were prepared to victimize others. Tables and 22 references are provided.