63). That is why so many of these young girls get into prostitution because of the high pay. As well, over 37% of the young women, aged 16-18, had become pregnant while still working as a prostitute (Badgley 1987: p.31). This creates even more of a reason for these young girls to stay within the profession. The statistic shows that the girls who do enter into prostitution without children 37% end up having a child (under the age of eighteen). A new child is a good reason why these girls would want to stay because it would provide a high source of income that many of them would not receive otherwise. This is due several factors such as discrimination against the age, sex, and education levels of these girls (Plant 1990: p.45). When society does not accept them they turn to prostitution to supplement what they are not able to attain through legitimate means. Again, this explains why some girls look to prostitution as a means of receiving an income according to Robert Merton's Strain Theory (Tanner 2001: p.78). Also, with a second mouth to feed these girls will need the income more then they needed it before entering.
Moreover, many female prostitutes have encountered economic discrimination. Due to factors such as age, sex and lack of education there are few opportunities for work that can be accessed by these particular women. In a lot of situations there are children involved and living on the streets is not an option. Nor is receiving minimum wage (in Ontario = $ 7.15) to feed, clothe and provide shelter, a sufficient option. Therefore, prostitution is seen as a way of providing an income to these women. .
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"Finally, female prostitutes suffer victimization through economic discrimination. Many believe that the gender-based inequality of our economic structure forces women into prostitution and pornography. The financial rewards afforded by prostitution - especially for unskilled, low-skilled, uneducated, and poor women but other women as well - make it a tempting alternative to traditionally low-paying, typically women's occupations.
