Soliciting strain: examining both sides of street prostitution through General Strain Theory

Abstract

This article explores the possible factors contributing to prostitution through an exploration of Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST) in a sample of current and former female prostitutes and a sample of male ‘johns.’ By understanding the factors that lead women to engage in prostitution along with the factors that lead men to solicit prostitution, a better understanding of the entire criminal interaction can be achieved. Furthermore, examining prostitution through an application of GST allows for a critical review of the theory through identifying strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately the study shows that both the men and women involved in prostitution experience strain, although different strains motivate their behaviors, and while their emotional and behavioral responses are different – the difference leads to participation in the same criminal event.

Keywords::

• prostitution
• prostitutes
• johns
• General Strain Theory

Notes

^1. Email: [email protected]

^2. Research on the correlates/causes of participation in sex work shows significant variation by type of work, for example street prostitution vs. escorts or prostitution vs. stripping (Chapkis 1997; Flowers 1987; Weitzer 2012). This review focuses on experiences of female street prostitutes.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jacob Bucher

Jacob Bucher is an associate professor at Baker University. His research interests include victimization, military crime and deviance, and criminological theory testing. Recent contributions include a study on masculinity and homophobia published in Journal of Men's Studies and a chapter on military deviance published in The Encyclopedia of Deviance.

Michelle Manasse

Michelle Manasse is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice at Towson University. Her research focuses on criminological theory testing, particularly in the context of Agnew's general strain theory. Two recent articles on Agnew's general strain theory were published in the Journal of Criminal Justice.

Jeffrey Milton

Jeffrey Milton is a graduate of Baker University. His scholarly interests include social inequality, prostitution and gendered crime, and religious studies.