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This type of theme party was on the cover of 24 Hours today (a free paper):
Pimp 'n' ho party raises ruckus
By MATT KIELTYKA, 24 HOURS
Plans for a Tri-Cities "Pimp 'N' Ho" Halloween party for underage youth set off a controversy yesterday after a community group denounced the event.
The Children of the Street Society - a group dedicated to "the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and youth" - is incensed.
"[The party] is promoting and glamourizing an extremely abusive sex-trade," said Diane Sowden, the group's executive director. "A lot of it has to do with popular culture, but they're not telling youth about the drug addiction and violence that goes along with it."
Since finding out about the party through a Craigslist ad, Sowden has sent letters to parents, schools and costume shops in an effort to steer children away from the party.
"I can't imagine an underage child being dropped off to a pimp 'n' ho party," she said. "Parents need to be made aware of this."
But fears of sexual exploitation and sex-trade recruitment have been blown out of proportion, according to one sex-trade worker who sees the party as a reflection on pop culture.
"[Youth] think it's fun dressing up like they're in a music video," said Susan Davis, of the PACE sex-trade advocacy group. "They want to emulate a player's party and have a good time with it."
Davis said the terms "pimp" and "ho" have taken on a new life in mainstream culture.
"Pimping these days means you've got your shit together," she said. "You've got a good car, nice clothes, a good job. Kids don't see a pimp working a bunch of girls in the streets when they hear it."
The promotion company, Creatyve Mynds, has yet to name a venue for the party. The phone number listed at the bottom of the ad - which seeks bartenders and security for the event - is no longer in service.
WHAT'S THE ALLURE?
- A sexed-up youth culture is drawing teens to events such as "Pimp 'n' Ho" parties.
Jaminie Hilton, a counsellor who works with sexually abused youth, says teens are "being sexualized [by pop culture]." "You have someone like Britney Spears performing sexual acts on stage ... [and] people that go to the shows are very young."
Youth may think it's just for fun, but Hilton warns of the perils.
"They shouldn't be advertising their bodies at that age. It affects their ability to set limits."
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