A sociological analysis of prostitution as an occupation, this book studies the experiences of the madam of a small house and her career as a prostitute, from her entry into the profession as a teenager until her departure in her early forties. Of her twenty years in prostitution, ten were spent as a house prostitute, and ten as a madam. Using in-depth interviews, the author investigates the madam's own interpretations of her life, including a term in prison and her revealing experiences after deciding to leave prostitution.
Following the best tradition of life history research, Heyl supplements her discussions with the madam with information from other prostitutes, members of the madam's estranged family, and other sources; observations made in the house; and a review of the existing literature. Official records, newspaper reports, and personal papers are used in developing a complete, multidimensional account of the madam's experiences. Heyl analyzes the career contingencies and identity crisis of prostitutes, as well as the madam's role as teacher and her struggles to keep the house functioning in the face of growing problems with the police, pimps, and the prostitutes themselves.
These two topics — the madam as "madam" and as "businesswoman" — reinforce the central theoretical concern of this study.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
“The book is, in part, a richly detailed, carefully corroborated analysis of a single individual’s movement from a somewhat unconventional childhood through entry into prostitution, and across a twenty-year career as both prostitute and madam, culminating in a return to the ‘square’ world. However, its primary contribution lies in its careful examination of extant theories of prostitution and in the development of a new processual model of entry into and solidification of a deviant career. . . . For the serious student of deviance, the processual model Heyl has created is worth considerable study, not only for its applicability to prostitution, but also for its potential applicability to other forms of deviant careers. Heyl’s work may considerably enhance our understanding of how deviant identities come into being and solidify.”
—Mary Riege Laner, Contemporary Sociology
“Students of deviant careers will find this a highly readable and valuable contribution, with implications /or law enforcement and programs of corrections. The analysis is relevant to the sociology of occupations, especially to strains resulting from efforts to maintain professional norms in an ambiguous and changing social context. It is a careful and imaginative illustration of the use of an interactionist approach to life history research.”
— F. James Davis, Illinois State University
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Former library book; Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.2. Seller Inventory # G0878552111I5N11
Book Description hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Hardback--book perfect--dust cover almost perfect. Seller Inventory # TA240308071Z78
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st. 1st printing; dj w/rubbing, in mylar; 276 pages/index; small amount of underlining.A sociological analysis of prostitution as an occupation, this book studies the experiences of the madam of a small house and her career as a prostitute, from her entry into the profession as a teenager until her departure in her early forties Size: 8 vo. Seller Inventory # 087525
Book Description Condition: Good. Buy with confidence! Book is in good condition with minor wear to the pages, binding, and minor marks within. Seller Inventory # bk0878552111xvz189zvxgdd
Book Description Condition: Fair. Acceptable/Fair condition. Book is worn, but the pages are complete, and the text is legible. Has wear to binding and pages, may be ex-library. Seller Inventory # 353-0878552111-acp
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Shows only minor signs of wear, and very minimal markings inside (if any). Seller Inventory # 353-0878552111-vrg
Book Description Condition: Fair. Buy with confidence! Book is in acceptable condition with wear to the pages, binding, and some marks within. Seller Inventory # bk0878552111xvz189zvxacp
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. Seller Inventory # 0878552111-2-3