The Regulation of Prostitution in China Law in the Everyday Lives of Sex Workers, Police Officers, and Public Health Officials Cambridge Studies in Law and Society Series

In this compelling book, Margaret L. Boittin delves into the complex world of prostitution in China and how it shapes the lives of those involved in it. Through in-depth fieldwork, Boittin provides a fascinating case study of the role of law in everyday life and its impact on female sex workers, street-level police officers, and frontline public health officials. The book offers a unique perspective on the dynamics between society and the state, revealing how the laws that govern sex work affect those on the frontlines. With clear and accessible prose, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in law, state-society relations, China, and sex work.

1. Introduction; Part I. History, Contemporary Context, and Official Policies: 2. Historical Continuities and Contemporary Context; 3. The Official Story: Prostitution Policies in Contemporary China; Part II. Society: 4. On the Streets and in the Brothels; 5. In the Clubs; 6. In the Home; 7. Perspectives and Experiences Shared Across Tiers of Prostitution; Part III. The State: 8. Patterns of Punishment; 9. The Weak Yet Savvy Street-Level Police Officer; 10. China's Sex Worker Health Policies: The Influence of Transnational Actors and Their Limitations; 11. Street-Level Health Officials; 12. Conclusion.

Margaret L. Boittin is assistant professor of law at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. Her articles have been published in Law & Society Review, Law & Policy, American Political Science Review, and Journal of Law and Economics. Boittin holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from UC Berkeley, and a JD from Stanford.