User:Jackiebedolla/Prostitution in the United States

The prostitution of children in the United States is a serious concern. More than 100,000 children are reportedly forced into prostitution in the United States every year.

In 2007, a scholarly article stated an immigration issue pertaining to the difference between underage females committing this crime as citizens and non-citizens stating, "Furthermore, a 14 year old Chinese girl trafficked into the country for use in prostitution would be viewed as a victim and offered a temporary visa, protection, and support services. A 14 year old American girl in Boston arrested for prostitution would be seen as a criminal and may end up in a juvenile facility (Lustig, 2007)."

On January 25, 1917, an anti-prostitution drive in San Francisco attracted huge crowds to public meetings. At one meeting attended by 7,000 people, 20,000 were kept out for lack of room. In a conference with Reverend Paul Smith, an outspoken foe of prostitution, 300 prostitutes made a plea for toleration, explaining they had been forced into the practice by poverty. When Smith asked if they would take other work at $8 to $10 a week, the ladies laughed derisively, which lost them public sympathy. The police closed about 200 houses of prostitution shortly thereafter.

Lead:
Children in prostitution tend to be forced into the environment of prostitutions, but also those who chose to be in prostitution are reported to have experienced some sort of sexual and physical abuse in their life.

Article body:
Children who are in prostitution tend to be manipulated by adults. According to reports, these children had confided in these adults, believing they were trustworthy of them in person and via social media. Studies show that child prostitution who have experienced some sort of sexual abuse or physical abuse, have family issues-- in and out of foster homes, running/ living away from home.

References:
Holly Bell & Carol Todd (1998) Juvenile Prostitution in a Midsize City, Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 27:3-4, 93-105, DOI: 10.1300/J076v27n03_07