It is noted that most data about American and European prostitution have come from movements that attempted to reform or regulate prostitutes. Although there has been an explosion of books on prostitution, few of these have dealt with why women become prostitutes, why men go to them, what prostitutes actually do, or how much they earn and what they do with their earnings. It is suggested that much recent scholarship may not differ greatly from that of a generation of moral reformers. Influenced by a potent women's movement< in varying degrees, many of these writings have continued to view prostitution as a metaphor of women's passivity, degradation, and victimization. It is suggested that what is needed is research on the extent of prostitutes' achievements; their dialogues with reformers; and their views of themselves as working women, supporters of families, or as interested only in themselves. 102 footnotes.