The Not So Pretty (Women) Story

When Vivian Ward was strapped for money and saw nowhere to turn, she decided to take to the streets of L.A. and prostitute herself for money. One day a charming and handsome man named Edward drove up and propositioned Vivian. She accepted, as she had always done when the price was right. He took her back to his glitzy hotel and after a few nights they began to fall for each other. He gave her expensive jewelry and sent her out to Beverly Hills on a shopping spree. And yes, they lived happily ever after. This story might sound familiar, that's because it is. This was the plot line from the famous 1990 Hollywood blockbuster, Pretty Women. To many, this synopsis might not be to unattractive, however, this glamorized movie of the world of prostitution is far too sugar coated from the real thing.

The United Nations estimates that there are over 300,000 adolescents involved in prostitution in the United States today. Many of them are from very poor backgrounds, while a growing number of them are coming from middle class suburban neighborhood. But why are they choosing this lifestyle for themselves? Many teens turn to a life of prostitution because after running away from a neglected or abusive home, they find themselves on the streets poor, and they see sex as a way they can find the money they need to survive. Others, like in middle class neighborhood may see prostitution as an easy way to make a lot of money, so that they can buy the material items that they want. But, unlike in Pretty Women, there are no Edwards that are going to pick you up and make your dreams come true. What Pretty Women failed to show was how prostitution can become very ugly, dangerous, and in some cases even deadly. Disease, violence, pregnancy, drugs, abuse, and rape, these are all problems that teens face while living as a prostitute. And unlike in Pretty Women, there was no struggle for Vivian to get out of prostituting, but in real life, many teens can not just stop when they want to, they are being pimped by someone in control of them, which can make it very hard for them to escape.

In today's growing electronic society, the Internet poses another harmful way that teens are becoming involved in the prostitution trade. There are solicitors trying to corrupt teens into becoming prostitutes, telling them that they will make a lot of money and all their problems will fade away. And since you never know who you are really chatting with on-line, there is no guarantee that this person is not out to hurt you. Teens need to be very weary of the Internet, there are too many bad people out there trying to take advantage of youth. Before another teenager feels forced into the world of prostitution they need to be helped. If someone you know, or yourself feels that the situation at home or at school is so bad that they feel like hitting the streets, they first need to talk to someone. If your parents are not an option and you don't feel comfortable talking to anyone else, then call 1-800-RUNAWAY and talk to someone and tell them your story. They can help you work out your problems so that one day you won't be tempted by the ugly and harsh world of prostitution.