Plum Blossoms and Pheasants: Prostitutes, Prostitution, and Social Control Measures in Contemporary China

This report exmines unobtrusive data on prostitutes from the People's Republic of China through an analysis of prison arrest records from 13 facilities. Collectively, these data represent 2,057 prostitution cases, and span the years 1988-1990. Demographics are used to distinguish and describe the different types of prostitutes, and reveal marked differences from official characterizations. Prostitutes are further differentiated by drawing on ethnographic interview information. Discussion of factors affecting women's involvement with prostitution is engaged. Control measures for prostitution, at both national and provincial levels, are examined and critiqued.