Social Perspective and Causal Factors Influencing Women Prostitution in Iran

Abstract

This article reviews some factors leading to women prostitution in Iran. Efforts to address this phenomenon in every society must firstly be directed at the individual, the family, and also at economic, social and cultural factors to determine the extent they contribute to sexual crimes. In Iran, sexual offences receive significant attention because of Islamic injunctions application. The country does not permit or tolerate such offences. Since the sexual offences incidents are increasing in the world, this resulted in adverse consequences such as insecurity, the weakening of family structure, offending of public feelings and the prevalence of lawlessness. This makes it necessary, to identify the causal factors that stimulate the occurrence of such offences and to consistently eradicate them. This is an analytical study on the determined topic, to find out how women become manipulated sexually because of the causal factors that influenced them into prostitution activities. Despite the fact that Islamic legal jurisdiction is comprehensive and progressive and prostitution is recognised as an offence in Iran, unfortunately, it seems the offence is sometimes occurring.

Factors influencing women’s sex work in a Lebanese sample: results of a case-control study

“…Furthermore, drug addiction has a direct relationship with sex work as demonstrated in several studies [ 30 – 33 ]. Women having a life full of stress and problems might seek drugs to tolerate life’s pressure and might resort to sex work when they are not able to meet the cost of their addiction [ 34 ]. On the other hand, many sex workers can shift to substance use as a coping mechanism for the challenging lifestyles associated with sex work.…”

Exploring the reasons for women to engage in sex work in Tehran, Iran: A qualitative study

“…In an Iranian study conducted by Roshanfekr et al (2015), the women said that one of the family's males coerced them into prostitution to make money [32]. Harassment of a wife following her husband's death was identified as a motivation for sex work in an Indian research [39].In another study done in Iran by Rostamzadeh et al (2016), spouse harassment was highlighted as a key factor driving women to sex work. Other research has found that sexual unhappiness in women is one of the reasons they engage in sex work [49,50,51].…”

“…Other research has found that sexual unhappiness in women is one of the reasons they engage in sex work [49,50,51]. According to Rostamzadeh et al (2016), one of the reasons for having sexual connections with other men in Iran is the lack of warmth and closeness between the spouses in sexual interactions [7]. Women find safety and security in their families.…”

“…Sex work is a worldwide phenomenon [ 1 ], referring to the selling and purchasing of sexual services for a price [ 2 , 3 ]. Sex labor is allowed in certain countries [ 4 , 5 ], but it is prohibited and punished by law in most others, including Iran [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. The growth in sex work rates continues unabated around the world, including in Iran [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Other issues that sex workers experience include vaginal infection, backache, stress, depression, and chronic fatigue [ 22 , 23 ]. In addition to the physical health implications of sex labor, it also jeopardizes the mental health and financial stability of families and communities [ 7 , 24 ].…”