Trajectory of life and social representations about juvenile prostitution according its participants

Ana Maria Ricci Molina
Mestre em Psicologia pela FFCLRP – USP
Sérgio Kodato
Departamento de Educação e Psicologia. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, FFCLRP – USP

Abstract

Juvenile prostitution has been addressed to as a happening that takes place due to the prostitute’s own will, as well as to a condition of self, social, and institutional vulnerability. This research is based on the theory and methodology (Moscovici, 2002) and seeks to understand the social representations concerning prostitution that emerge from the prostitutes themselves. The subjects were 10 (ten) female prostitutes. Data analysis was done using the technique of association of ideas (Spink, 1996). The interviewed prostitutes represent prostitution as a “necessary evil”: prostitution is seen as a job once it provides money to supply material needs, but it is also seen as a symbolic device due to transgression made to asepsis of the body and the soul, according to discourses from society. Concluding can be affirmed that juvenile prostitution takes shape as a desired political option of searched social group.

Keywords: Juvenile prostitution; Social representation; Sexuality.


Molina, A. M. R. & Kodato, S. (2005). Trajetória de vida e representações sociais acerca da prostituição juvenil segundo suas participantes. Temas em Psicologia, 13(1), 09-17.