Sociology
Extra Credit Assignment: Girls Like Us
The memoir “Girls Like Us” by Rachel Lloyd is replete with sociological concepts and gives
incredible insight into the disparate life chances brought about by varied social structures
and mechanisms of socio-psychological manipulation that predominantly affect one group
of children versus another. Simply put, social location matters. In a (5) five–paged paper,
answer the following short-answer questions. Ensure that your answers are explained in a
manner that reflects not only the structure of social life expressed in the memoir, but also
serves to bring to life sociological concepts in your text, articles and discussed in class. This
extra credit assignment is worth a total of 25 points and is to be turned in via the Angel
course website. No physical copies will be accepted. Note that any form of plagiarism
and academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and result in forfeiture of the 25 points
in total. Please do not use outside sources other than your textbook, assigned articles
and the novel.
1. According to Rachel Lloyd, what are the risk factors for the commercial sexual
exploitation of both children and adults in the United States? Explain in detail.
2. Explain the complexity of choice, as it relates to both Rachel Lloyds elucidation of the
choices she made and that young girls make when entering and leaving “the life”?
Furthermore, how it relates to Paul Farmer’s concept of structural violence.
3. Slavery, exploitation, and violence, as manifested through ‘prostitution’, have become
mainstream in the media, hip-hop and popular culture’s embrace and portrayal of being a
“pimp”. Give the evidence outlined by Rachel Lloyd for this assertion and discuss the
possible implications.
4. The sociological concepts of differential association, stigma, labeling and master status
have all been portrayed in the memoir. Highlight and explain in detail the variety of ways
these concepts are manifested in the life of Rachel Lloyd and the lives of the young girls she
seeks to help. How can these concepts help us understand the obstacles faced in seeking
justice?
5. What are the main reasons that Rachel Lloyd calls for the abandonment of the term
“prostitution” and the legal culpability that comes with such action in favor of the term
“commercial sexually exploited children”? How has, if any, your perception been altered
about prostitution?
