PLUM BLOSSOMS AND PHEASANTS - PROSTITUTES, PROSTITUTION, AND SOCIAL-CONTROL MEASURES IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA

This report examines unobtrusive data on prostitutes from the People's Republic of China through an analysis of prison arrest records from 1 3 facilities. Collectively, these data represent 2,057 prostitution ca ses, and span the years 1988-1990. Demographics are used to distinguis h and describe the different types of prostitutes, and reveal marked d ifferences from official characterizations. Prostitutes are further di fferentiated by drawing on ethnographic interview information. Discuss ion of factors affecting women's involvement with prostitution is enga ged. Control measures for prostitution, at both national and provincia l levels, are examined and critiqued.