Perspektiv på prostitution - En analys av hur Sveriges lösningar på prostitutionsproblemet tar sig uttryck
The prohibition of purchasing sexual servicesProstitutionDiscourseSymbolic politicsSwedenSocial sciencesSamhällsvetenskaperPolitical and administrative sciencesStatsvetenskapFörvaltningskunskapSocial SciencesLaw and Political Science
In Sweden, prostitution is politically defined as a social problem, more precisely, as a form of male violence against women. The definition is distinctly manifested in the government bill Kvinnofrid, characterised by the unique Swedish law that prohibits the purchase of sexual services.This thesis examines how the Swedish solutions of prostitution are carried out. By interviewing central actors working with prostitution in different ways we aim to answer the question: What measures are taken to decrease prostitution and what implications does the Swedish solution have?The analysis is divided into two parts. First, we analyse the concrete measures taken against prostitution ? what is done, how, and why? Second, we analyse the complexity of prostitution measures by applying complementary analytical perspectives: the symbolic and the discourse perspective.The study shows that measures taken to decrease prostitution vary and depend on individual actors? understandings of the political definition. A hegemonic discourse that embraces all measures is nonetheless identified. The hegemonic discourse seems to exclude alternative ways of solving the problem. Further, the study implies that the law prohibiting the purchase of sexual services is a symbolic manifestation epitomising the Swedish political definition of prostitution.