Chastity value as a risk factor for prostituted adolescents in Indonesia: a qualitative exploration

ABSTRACT

Previous studies suggest that the practice of female child and adolescent prostitution can be attributed to various personal and social risk factors. However, cultural beliefs shared in specific societies may also determine prostitution involvement. We qualitatively explored the risk factors associated with prostitution in a rarely investigated Indonesian society. We interviewed eight female participants who were involved in adolescent prostitution. The findings suggest that prostitution involvement is not only attributed to the common personal and social risk factors, but also to cultural beliefs of chastity preservation. We argue that such beliefs may be rooted in gender inequality.

KEYWORDS:

• Risk factor
• prostitution
• adolescence
• chastity value
• gender equality

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge since this research was supported by Universitas Indonesia, named “HIBAH TADOK UI” (the final assignment grant for doctoral students of Universitas Indonesia). This research dedicated to Bahtera Foundation as well, that supporting the authors to connect with the participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Funding

This work wasfunded by “Hibah Tugas Akhir Doktor (TADOK)” (the final assignment grant for doctoral students of Universitas Indonesia) with number 233/UN2.R3.1/PPM.00/2018.

Notes on contributors

Santy Yanuar Pranawati

Santy Yanuar Pranawati (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia) Santy Pranawati is a doctoral student in the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Indonesia. She is a developmental psychologist concerning in children and adolescent development.

Adriana Soekandar Ginanjar

Adriana Soekandar Ginanjar (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia) Adriana Ginanjar is a lecturer in the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Indonesia. Her research focuses on clinical psychology especially in autism and family counselling.

Rudolf Woodrow Matindas

Rudolf Woodrow Matindas (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia) Rudolf Matindas is a lecturer in the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Indonesia. He teaches research method, statistic, and the concept of ‘I’.

Irwanto

Irwanto (Faculty of Psychology, Atma Jaya Catholic University Jakarta, Indonesia) Irwanto is a Professor at Faculty of Psychology Atma Jaya Catholic University Jakarta. He is also an Adjunct Professor (since 1993-now) at Department of Social Welfare School of Social and Political Sciences Universitas Indonesia. He is a pioneer in child protection, narcotics prevention, and analysis of countermeasures policies poverty in Indonesia; a consultant to various UN agencies such as UNICEF, UNAIDS, ILO, Bappenas Indonesia, as well as bilateral development partners such as USAID, AUSAID, and GIZ. He got the numbers of awards, including the Asia-Pacific Award for Outstanding Contribution to teaching Social Work (2006) by APASWE.

Joevarian Hudiyana

Joevarian Hudiyana (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia) Joevarian Hudiyana is a doctoral student in the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Indonesia. He is a social psychologist and his research currently focusing in belief systems, meaning, and moral values