An empirical study of the past and current factors molding the lives of prostitutes shows them to be generally victimized by emotionally deprived and unstable childhoods, a pattern of alienation from normative society, and a combination of other factors that obstruct the development of normative relationships and economic interchanges. Further, rather than finding satisfactions in the lifestyle of a prostitute, most are lonely, depressed, and dissatisfied with their lives to the point of being suicidal. All who are drawn into the prostitution enterprise, including the male clients, are demeaned and negatively influenced by it. Laws are limited in their ability to reduce prostitution since they fail to strike at the persistent factors that fuel the enterprise. What are needed are rehabilitative efforts for individuals currently involved and the establishment of marriage and family life education and counseling, appropriate welfare facilities, and services to meet the needs of those at high risk of becoming prostitutes. Thirty-one references are listed.