Exposing the 'Pretty Woman' Myth

Exposing the Pretty Woman Myth is a book which does just that. Through in-depth explorations of the lives of 43 women in prostitution, Dalla helps us to see them as real people, rather than as the embodiments of johns' fantasies. Dalla is a compassionate, humanitarian researcher who cares deeply about her interviewees. In this book, she asks lots of questions about the women's lives, and as a result we learn some new things about prostitution. She details the wrenching and often life-threatening abandonment they experienced as children, their chaotic family environments, and the extreme violence suffered at the hands of partners and pimps. Dalla describes the intergenerational nature of prostitution, a topic rarely if ever addressed by other researchers. Perhaps most important, Dalla re-interviewed a number of the women after 3 years and discusses some of the factors that contributed either to their staying out of prostitution or to their re-entry into it. She eloquently describes the crucial role of social relationships in their remaining out of prostitution and makes some wise policy recommendations. -- Melissa Farley, Prostitution Research & Education
In her well-researched book, Dalla blends her scholarly voice with the voices of women who are or were involved in street-level sex work. Together, they tell the real story of the women's lives and experiences on the streets. This book is highly recommended for academics as well as lay people who seek to understand the harsh reality of the lives of prostituted women. -- Lynda M. Baker, Wayne State University
I have not seen a book that so accurately tells the story of women's lives while involved in street-level prostitution. I am very excited by this book as I believe it encapsulates all of the current research and findings about women in street-level prostitution in the U.S. What is particularly impressive is the way Dalla weaves relevant sociological and social work theories throughout the book. -- Celia Williamson, University of Toledo