Information Sharing and Expression of Ideas among Street-Based Female Prostitutes (SBFPs) in Sri Lanka

Abstract

In this study, two main objectives have been investigated. The first was to find out the techniques of information sharing between women involved in street prostitution in Sri Lanka, while the second was to discover the practices they use to express their feelings. Understanding the socio-demographic characteristics such as age, civil status, education and family background of the SBFPs were the sub-objectives of the study. Survey and case study methods were adopted for the study. Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia and Ratmalana were selected as the research area, and the data was collected using simple questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The snowball sampling method was used to select the sample of 20 SBFPs who were engaged in prostitution in the streets. The data for this study was analyzed by using qualitative methods. Descriptive statistics was used for the demographic characteristics of the subjects. The results of this study revealed that there is a subculture among street prostitutes. They engage in competitiveness in their profession and this subculture has introduced certain dictions. Such street prostitutes adapt their way of communication through signals. Results indicate that there are literate women with aesthetic skills found among the prostitutes in the community.