An increasing number of young people are selling their sexual services. They are motivated by: (1) economic and rational factors (large income, excitement, and prestige), (2) coercive factors (inability to get work, social pressures, and drug addiction), and (3) psychological and familial factors (family history, violent family background, low self-worth and neurotic needs). Common factors reported by young prostitutes include histories of running away, poor educational attainment, family disharmony, and the need to get by financially. The community and the school must work together to prevent juvenile prostitution. Maintaining juveniles in school and providing incentives to stay there, identifying risk-prone students, and changing curricula to include sex education and emphasize human value above profit are some ways to help within the schools. Community action includes reducing economic inequities, becoming informed on social policy, and coordinating efforts with other professionals involved with helping juveniles. 8 notes.