Children of prostitutes vs. children of women engaged in other occupations: A comparative study on adjustment

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare children of prostitutes with children of women engaged in other occupations in areas of adjustment and explore their perception of their mothers. The study was based on the experimental-control group design. The sample consisted of sixty children ranging from 10–15 years of age with thirty in each group. The Adjustment Inventory by Mittal (1965) was used to assess home, social, school, health and emotional adjustment. Children's responses to open-ended probes helped obtain a qualitative account of their views regarding their mothers. Data were subjected to t-tests in accordance with the design of the study. Findings exhibit a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the scores for Social Adjustment, Health and Emotional Adjustment, and School Adjustment. No gender based differences were found on any of the variables. However, a statistically significant difference was seen between the daughters of prostitutes and daughters of women engaged in other occupations on scores of Health and Emotional Adjustment, and School Adjustment. Results highlight the relevance of Social, School, Health and Emotional Adjustment as a function of the mother's profession and the consequent environment that leads to maladaptive family and peer relationships, aggression, as well as deterioration in the general level of well-being. This study aims to spread awareness by bringing to the forefront a neglected populace: children of prostitutes.