2003, Number 5
Salud Mental 2003; 26 (5)
Consumo de drogas en mujeres dedicadas a la prostitución: la zona de La Merced.
Rodríguez EM, Gutiérrez R, Vega L
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Language: Spanish
References: 21
Page: 73-81
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ABSTRACT
From ancient times prostitution has existed, usually linked to powerful men who have considered women to be pleasure objects.Ever since, prostitution has assumed different ways, and nowadays, urban prostitution is the most frequent. Nevertheless, although highly penalized, imposed prostitution, and women and chilchren traffic are practices common to many countries where these practices have increased in later years, due to economical and migratory problems, to modern technology and to the expansion of the sex industry.
The lack of opportunities that now prevail in Mexico City and the social disparities that affect most inhabitants have created large social sectors that survive through marginal activities. Within informal economy, where such activities take place, prostitution is one of the most relevant facts responsible for the dimensions, diffusion, and complexity of their highly negative consequences. It is taken for granted that prostitution has been present in all societies, though little thought has been given to the conditions that produce and maintain it. Just as well prostitutes are supossed to be the “agents of evil”, without considering that they establish a relationship with others and that they also require intermediaries or give place to their mediation.
It is not easy to approach this problem and many obstacles have to be surmounted in order to face its illegal and partially hidden nature.
Prostitution has existed and still prevails on behalf of the demand for women present among the male population, and due to the scarce educational and laboral opportunities that women endure, as a consequence of the existing gender inequality. As we mentioned before, this situation makes them vulnerable to exploitation and violence, just as it has been reported to be the case in other countries.
Very few scientific research has been published that may help to enlarge our knowledge regarding female prostitution. Such is the case, also, for male prostitution.
Drug consumption in sexual workers is one issue that has rarely been explored, although it is somehow taken as a matter linked to prostitution. Nevertheless, drug consumption is a social and health problem that affects them directly.
Due to the moral and religious implications arising from this matter, it is not suprising that the mental health problems that these women must endure have not been systematically studied. Although drug consumption is frequenty linked with prostitution by society, its characteristics and effects on the lives of prostitutes are barely known.
It is important to stress that in general terms drug consumption in women has been a problem usually underestimated, and that it has been hidden for a long time.
In Mexico, the relationship between prostitution and drug consumption has scarcely been explored, though Romero and Quintanilla found out that there are some facts that propitiate it. For instance, that both activities are forbidden, restricted or controlled by police officers and by men. Also, that both phenomena are socially rejected and that a subculture between both areas is established and rejected as well by society. Finally as drugs are available in prostitution surroundings, drug dependence in turn is ready to accept prostitution. Another important finding is that in the extent in which drug abuse is spread in different sectors of a locality, incidence is diminished within prostitution; on the contrary, when drugs become limited in other surroundings, its use among prostitutes is increased.
Considering the given facts, the objective of our work is to present the results of a research carried out on drug consumption in women who live on prostitution in the area of La Merced, located at Mexico City´s downtown. This area is characterized by having high rates of violence, marginality and poverty. Such conditions make these women vulnerable to abuse on the part of police authorities and to suffer physical and emotional pressure from those who exploit them. We used qualitative methodology and in-depth recorded interviews that lasted one hour and a half. Fourteen women were interviewed.
Results and conclusions. Results demonstrate that the environment surrounding prostitution in La Merced favours that women involved in prostitution become consumers. Most women reported that they consumed alcohol and some other drugs. The main facts that contribute to this situation are the daily problems they have to face, which generate stress, and also, the explotation to which they are submitted. This makes them a part of a vulnerable group because, as we said before, they are highly exposed to violence, social rejection and institutional indifference.
REFERENCES