A news story at CNN on teenage prostitution sounds shocking to some, but in Hong Kong this news is often heard on TV newscast or read in newspapers. It is a growing phenomenon about teenage girls involved in prostitution and using the money they earn to buy luxury items like luxury shoes or bags. Prostitution is outlawed in Hong Kong so the perpetrators of this activity (vendors and clients) use the term "compensated dating" to describe what they do. Girls don't call themselves prostitutes because they can easily quit if they want to. Basically it's like finding a date and paying for her. Except that sex is almost always part of the equation. And when money's involved it's sometimes difficult to put it aside.
Some girls get hooked into this practice because their friends are doing it. And they see obviously what their friends get for doing so. These friends who are involved in compensated dating wear designer clothing or cosmetics. As teenagers who are unable to find work and can't ask for more allowance beyond school expenses, they have little or no way to go to get those desired things.
Or maybe it's one's way to rebel out of a problematic family as social workers notice that these girls belong to a wide spectrum of society; some are from poor families while others belong to rich ones.
Enter a sexually-deprived, well-to-do man in his 40s. He's lonely, maybe unmarried (or married but has a very busy wife) and has lots of money to spend on almost anything. The girl arranges a date, the location, sets the money involved and all date and bed rules. After the transaction, money changes hands and both go on separate ways.
They may also be teenagers who are not good enough to become pseudo models and have their own reasons of getting involved in compensated dating. One admitted to trying it out when she lost her phone, and when the amount paid to her wasn't enough she had to agree on another date.
Government measures of cracking down on these activities is not a long term solution. Care from family is the basic requirement in order for these girls to avoid engaging in this practice. Social workers are there but that's already when these teenagers are already hooked and can't find their way out.
Photo credit: dhun8881
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