Child Prostitution

Abstract

Child prostitution is recognized by the United Nations as a growing problem of sexual demand for children. This demand is generated globally by child sex tourism, the prostitution and pornography industries, militarism, and caste‐based familial and religion‐sanctioned systems of sexual exploitation in countries like India. Scholars are divided on the extent to which children are harmed by prostitution, but there is empirical medical, psychological, and social science research indicating serious and life‐long consequences for victims. There is also scholarly debate about causes of expanding global demand for the prostitution of children. Male sexuality has begun to be problematized in relation to the problem, as well as the profits of online businesses mediating the trade.