Conclusion

Since the 1830s, streetwalkers have maintained their place in public space. Even though their visibility makes them targets for arrest, violence, and stigma, many prostitutes make the choice to work on the streets. Streetwalking was, and continues to be, a way for prostitutes to assert their own autonomy within capitalist systems. By working for themselves they can keep their profits and control when and where they work. With the advance of the Internet, many streetwalkers have moved their point of initial contact online but will continue to meet their Johns on the street. Over the years, the dominant social mentality of removing streetwalkers from public space has largely remained the same. Unfortunately, instead of the police sweeping streetwalkers into brothels as was common in 19th century Paris, the police today sweep streetwalkers into prisons. There also are many more support systems and advocacy efforts for streetwalkers today than there were in the 1830s, as a result of the global sex workers’ rights movement beginning in the 1970s. This movement revolutionized discourse surrounding sex work, and more inclusive and responsive sex workers’ rights groups by and for sex workers continue to organize today. As evidenced by this exhibit, while much has changed in the realm of streetwalking prostitution over the last two centuries, much has also stayed the same.