“Don’t look down on us”

Purpose Although some research has been done with entertainment workers in KTV bars, little has been done to gain a qualitative understanding of the vulnerabilities of masseuse women. This is due to a prevalent focus on girls under 18 years, thereby excluding most masseuses. The purpose of this paper is to understand the reality of life as perceived by Phnom Penh’s female masseuses in the lower-priced massage parlors is therefore largely unknown. Design/methodology/approach In total, 98 female participants completed an interview answering both open and closed questions concerning relationships, stigma and discrimination and personal sexual abuse among other topics. Findings This study finds that many women working in the massage parlor industry are vulnerable to various threats, including sexual exploitation and abuse. Dependency structures within the massage parlor as well as with their families seem to play a key role in the life situations that can be positive as well as negative, and in some cases both. Research limitations/implications This is not a prevalence study so all figures are tentative. The women were deeply concerned that they might be stigmatized further so they may not have revealed the extent of their challenges. Practical implications More research and work with this vulnerable group is vital. They should be recognized as a vulnerable group who have rights. Social implications The findings provide a baseline evaluation of the vulnerable conditions of the massage industry for women in Cambodia. Specifically, that stigma, discrimination, physical and sexual abuse, as well as a lack of access to education are all vulnerabilities not commonly covered, especially with adult women working in the entertainment industry. Originality/value Understanding the reality of life as perceived by Phnom Penh’s female masseuses in the lower-priced massage parlors is therefore largely unknown so a study of this kind is necessary.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF BLIND MASSEURS IN INCREASING COMPETENCY THROUGH IMPLEMENTATION BUSINESS STANDARDS OF MASSAGE PARLOR

The purpose of this study was to analyze the challenges and opportunities of Indonesian blind masseurs in improving competency through the implementation of the business standards of massage parlor. The research method is a descriptive-qualitative, theoretical approach on competency in human resource management. Primary data sources selected by purposive sampling. The informants involved were representatives of blind massage entrepreneurs. Secondary data sources in this study is PERMENPAR No.20 of 2015 concerning Business Standards of Massage Parlor. Data analysis techniques by means of data triangulation. The results of the study indicate the challenges faced by the blind masseurs namely: 1) requirements of massage business licenses have not been fulfilled; 2) aspects of the organization, management, and human resources have not been maximized. Increasing the competency of the masseur as a traditional health practitioner is an innovation, and it can extend their opportunities to work in the center of public health and hospitals. Keywords: competency, standards, blind, masseur

“Don’t look down on us!”

Purpose Although some research has been done with entertainment workers in KTV bars, little has been done to gain a qualitative understanding of the vulnerabilities of masseuse women. This is due to a prevalent focus on girls under 18 years, thereby excluding most masseuses. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach In total, 98 female participants completed an interview answering both open and closed questions concerning relationships, stigma and discrimination and personal sexual abuse among other topics. Findings This study finds that many women working in the massage parlor industry are vulnerable to various threats, including sexual exploitation and abuse. Dependency structures within the massage parlor as well as with their families seem to play a key role in the life situations that can be positive as well as negative, and in some cases both. Social implications The findings provide a baseline evaluation of the vulnerable conditions of the massage industry for women in Cambodia. Specifically, that stigma, discrimination, physical and sexual abuse, as well as a lack of access to education are all vulnerabilities not commonly covered, especially with adult women working in the entertainment industry. This research has been adapted from the original transcript “Strive, No Matter What” (Miles et al., 2014). Originality/value The paper seeks to understand the reality of life and vulnerabilities as perceived by Phnom Penh’s female masseuses in the lower-priced massage parlors which is largely unknown.

Where and Why Do Illicit Businesses Cluster? Comparing Sexually Oriented Massage Parlors in Los Angeles County and New York City

Immigrant-run sexually oriented massage parlors embody the intersection of important planning issues, including inequitable distribution of controversial land uses and economic functions of illicit businesses. We analyzed geocoded data from a ratings website to examine sexually oriented massage parlor clustering in Los Angeles County (LAC) and New York City (NYC). In LAC, clustering occurred in areas with more Asian and Hispanic residents. In NYC, clustering occurred mostly in Manhattan and was negatively associated with household size. Local regulation did not appear to affect clustering. Study findings hold lessons about both more effective regulation and enabling economic development in immigrant populations.

Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Legal Status on Versatility and Efficiency in Prostitution Markets

This chapter examines the impact of legal status on versatility and efficiency in prostitution markets. Focusing on the massage-parlor sector of the prostitution market in the northwest of England, it considers heterogeneity in consumer preferences and whether there exists a perfectly competitive market model with homogeneous sellers. It first provides an overview of the economics of prostitution before discussing the role of variety seeking in the demand for prostitution services. Drawing on consumer-oriented data from massage parlors in the northwest of England, it argues that economies-of-scope conditions have failed to develop to satisfy demand for variety in the area. It also sees the predominant concentration of massage-parlor sex work in England to be of low quality, reflecting a declining influence of the traditional firm-based sex work there.

Colab Again

During the past few years, New York has seen the restaging of two groundbreaking underground art exhibitions, originally organized in 1980 by Lower East Side-based collective Colab: The Real Estate Show and The Times Square Show. The former, which took place illegally on New Year’s Eve in a vacant, city-owned building at 125 Delancey Street—and was shut down by the police after few hours—was restaged in Spring 2014 at four Downtown venues: James Fuentes Gallery, Cuchifritos, The Lodge Gallery, and ABC No Rio. The latter was organized in a disused Times Square massage parlor and restaged in Fall 2012 at Hunter College’s Bertha and Karl Leubsdorf Art Gallery.