Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Sociology
First Advisor
Kathryn A. Farr
Term of Graduation
Winter 1998
Date of Publication
1998
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.) in Sociology
Department
Sociology
Language
English
Subjects
Ordinances, Municipal -- Oregon -- Portland, Prostitution -- Oregon -- Portland, Social problems -- Oregon -- Portland -- Public opinion
DOI
10.15760/etd.8160
Physical Description
1 online resource (124 pages)
Abstract
This study explored the process and the nature of the claims and claimsmaking activities in the most recent presentation of prostitution as a social problem calling for a specific response, the prostitution-free zone ordinance. Integrating the conceptual framework of Best's (1995) constructionist approach to social problems with Strauss and Corbin's (1990) grounded theory approach, this study examined 1) the role and influence of different claimsmakers and their claims in the passage and implementation of the prostitution-free zone ordinance, and 2) how three perspectives (social control, moral reform and radical feminism) are differentially reflected in claimsmakers' framing of prostitution, as well as their intentions for and expectations of the prostitution-free zone ordinance.
This study relied on two different types of data, written documents and personal interviews. Documents included local newspaper {The Oregonian) articles, neighborhood association documents and Portland City Council minutes. Documents were examined for the following information: 1) who are the claimsmakers; 2) what are their claims; 3) what do they propose for solutions to their claims; and, 4) in what forum is the claim being made. Three significant themes came out of the claimsmaking activities which surrounded the "prostitution problem": Prostitution, Women and Men; Prostitution, Pornography and Crime; and, Neighborhoods, Families and Prostitution Activity. City Council minutes indicated, however, that a specific typification of prostitution activity was presented at the City Council meeting.
The use of the constructionist framework was effective in providing a conceptual framework by which to organize and interpret the data. However, there was less clarity in the determination of the analytical perspectives. The moral reform and social control perspectives were strongly reflected in the claimsmaking activities, however, it was often difficult to distinguish between the two perspectives. In contrast, the radical feminist perspective was relatively absent from the claims and claimsmaking activities.
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Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/39611
Recommended Citation
Christophersen, Kristin Aman, "Portland’s Prostitution-Free Zone Ordinance : The Social Construction of Prostitution as a Social Problem" (1998). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 6300.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.8160
Comments
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