Chinese Migrant Women in the Sex Industry: Exploring Their Paths to Prostitution

Rapidly growing migration and entertainment industry in China since the 1980s have resulted in numerous rural migrant women working as prostitutes. Previous studies have identified a number of factors contributing to women's involvement in prostitution. It is unknown, however, whether these factors apply to Chinese women's situation. The current study's findings show that the presence of friends and/or coworkers, the prevalence of entertainment establishments, and advertisements appear as indispensable factors in women's involvement in prostitution. It is suggested that future studies pay attention to the effects of situational factors on women's involvement in prostitution.