De dentro de fora e de fora de dentro: representações sociais da prostituição feminina

Abstract

In order to analyze the social representations of prostitution and the perception of prejudice and stigmatization by the prostitutes, two studies were carried out in Aracaju, northeast from Brazil. The research was conducted in January 2008, the two studies used structured interviews. The first was conducted with 66 residents of several neighborhoods in Aracaju, the second one involved nine prostitutes concentrated on the beach of Aracaju. Content analysis of responses from the first study indicated that prostitution is represented as social exclusion, immoral, or aversive and strange and prostitutes are demonized. In the second study we found that sex workers feel they are victims of prejudice and consider being in a situation of exclusion and stigmatization. These results are discussed in light of theories of stigmatization and social exclusion