Prostitutionsforståelser blandt danske og svenske politikere - Reden ...

The dominating Swedish concept of prostitution is strongly inspired by abolitionism. Prostitution is
understood as causing problems not only for the prostitutes but also for society as a whole. This is
due to the fact that prostitution is understood in relation to the general gender inequality structures
in the Swedish society. Prostitution is subsequently defined as an unacceptable phenomenon in a
modern Swedish society.
In the predominating Danish concept, on the other hand, prostitution is defined primarily as a
subject concerning the prostitutes and their problems. The causes of prostitution are defined as
negative social factors in the individual prostitute’s childhood. The customers are excluded from the
definition and are regarded as neither responsible for the damages of prostitution nor as having
influence on the extent of prostitution.
Prostitution is not understood as a social problem in Denmark. The predominating Danish concept
can, accordingly, still be said to be influenced by the functionalistic approach.
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