Prostitution Myth Endorsement

Abstract

Women in the sex trade have experienced victim blame from first responders and victimization from buyers and traffickers. Women’s ability to exit the sex trade may be negatively affected by bias from prostitution myth adherence that has normalized sexual exploitation and violence against women. Few studies have examined beliefs and behaviors that predict these problematic attitudes. In the current study, we assessed predictors of prostitution myth endorsement in a sample of 355 college students (196 women, 159 men). Gender, increased sexist attitudes toward women, frequency of pornography consumption, and self-control deficits significantly predicted prostitution myth adherence. Interactions between gender and study variables were not significant, demonstrating that gender did not moderate the relations between sexist attitudes toward women, lifetime sexual victimization, self-control deficits, and frequency of pornography consumption on prostitution myth endorsement. We discuss practice implications and future research directions with particular focus on the need to challenge and transform the current sociopolitical culture related to gender equity and healthy sexuality through advocacy and education.