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Childhood victimization and subsequent risk for promiscuity, prostitution, and teenage pregnancy: A prospective study

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  • Widom, C.S.
  • Kuhns, J.B.

Abstract

Objectives. This study examined the extent to which being abused and/or neglected in childhood increases a person's risk for promiscuity, prostitution, and teenage pregnancy. Methods. A prospective cohorts design was used to match, on the basis of age, race, sex, and social class, cases of abused and/or neglected children from 1967 to 1971 with nonabused and nonneglected children; subjects were followed into young adulthood. From 1089 to 1995, 1196 subjects (676 abused and/or neglected and 520 control subjects) were located and interviewed. Results. Early childhood abuse and/or neglect was a significant predictor of prostitution for females (odds ratio [OR] = 2.96). For females, sexual abuse (OR = 2.54) and neglect (OR = 2.58) were associated with prostitution, whereas physical abuse was only marginally associated. Childhood abuse and neglect were not associated with increased risk for promiscuity or teenage pregnancy. Conclusions. These findings strongly support a relationship between childhood victimization and subsequent prostitution. The presumed causal sequence between childhood victimization and teenage pregnancy may need to be reevaluated.

Suggested Citation

  • Widom, C.S. & Kuhns, J.B., 1996. "Childhood victimization and subsequent risk for promiscuity, prostitution, and teenage pregnancy: A prospective study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 86(11), pages 1607-1612.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1996:86:11:1607-1612_6
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    Cited by:

    1. Robertson, Roni Diamant, 2013. "The invisibility of adolescent sexual development in foster care: Seriously addressing sexually transmitted infections and access to services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 493-504.
    2. Murnan, Aaron & Bates, Samantha & Holowacz, Eugene, 2020. "Understanding the risk and protective factors among children of mothers engaged in street-level prostitution," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    3. Nwabuzor Ogbonnaya, Ijeoma & Villodas, Miguel T. & Ciro, Dianne & Turnlund Carver, Ann, 2022. "Cumulative victimization and number of sexual partners among youth involved with child welfare: Externalizing and internalizing problems as mediators," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    4. Stoltz, Jo-Anne Madeleine & Shannon, Kate & Kerr, Thomas & Zhang, Ruth & Montaner, Julio S. & Wood, Evan, 2007. "Associations between childhood maltreatment and sex work in a cohort of drug-using youth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(6), pages 1214-1221, September.
    5. R. Barri Flowers, 2001. "The Sex Trade Industry's Worldwide Exploitation of Children," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 575(1), pages 147-157, May.
    6. King, Bryn & Putnam-Hornstein, Emily & Cederbaum, Julie A. & Needell, Barbara, 2014. "A cross-sectional examination of birth rates among adolescent girls in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 179-186.

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