Thai prostitutes in Denmark are not victims of human trafficking, nor are they strong, independent women who choose to make a living by selling sex because they want to.
Rather, when they opt to sell sex, it is because they regard prostitution as the lesser evil of a series of unattractive options. In her research, Spanger interviewed and observed Thai prostitutes in Denmark and closely followed 14 Thai prostitutes in Copenhagen. In her view, the lives of the Thai prostitutes are very far from the opposing stereotypes of victim and independent woman that dominate the debate.
They have come here through marriage. There are both married women and divorcees among the prostitutes. The women are able to draw a very clear line between prostitution and private life.
According to the researcher, the debate on prostitution is excessively simplifying, making the matter seem very black and white. She believes her thesis reveals the hidden nuances:. Their identities as mother, wife and migrant are inextricably intertwined and are not static elements. She believes the debate focuses one-sidedly on them as either victims of human trafficking or independent women who sell sex without having any problems with it.
One of the problems the women are confronted with is the stereotype of the Thai woman and lady boy as prostitutes, a stereotype that stigmatises the women and discriminates against them. Read this article in Danish at videnskab. Myths about the prostitute lifestyle August 19, - Public debate portrays prostitutes as either victims of human trafficking or strong, independent women who have made a personal choice. However, research reveals an altogether different reality. Anthropology , Children and adolescents , Ethics , Gender equality.
