Article Week 13:The Madam as Teacher: The Training of House Prostitutes,"In-Depth Notes on House Prostitution Training by Barbara Sherman Heyl

Overview of House Prostitution

• Despite changes, high-class houses of prostitution still exist, operated in various environments:
  • Trailer parks, motels, luxury apartments, or run-down urban houses.
• Madams often train new prostitutes, highlighting the social dynamics of house prostitution.

The Role of Madams in Training

• Research focuses on personal accounts of madams training novices in house prostitution.
• Comparison made to Bryan's (1965) study on call girls, noting the lack of focus on house-level training and female trainer-trainee relationships.
• The need for structured training is emphasized to develop client acquisition skills over mere sexual skills.

Structure of the Training Environment

• The madam often dismisses inexperienced turn-outs to maintain quality client relations.
• Training sessions provide a comprehensive introduction to practices and rules of house work amidst house dynamics and clientele management.

Content of Training

• Analysis based on:
  • Tape recordings from training sessions with novices.
  • Interviews with novices and the madam.
  • Observations during actual training periods.
• Initial focus on self-confidence and basic prostitution techniques:
  • Novices select aliases.
  • Instruction on sexual techniques, particularly fellatio, is significant due to client preferences.

Skills Taught during Training

1. Physical Techniques

   • Emphasis on specific sexual acts and their pricing.
   • Guidance on dealing with different types of clients (older men, etc.).
   • Fluid body movement tactics are taught to maximize comfort and safety.
   • Importance of self-protection during sexual acts emphasized.

2. Client Management and Verbal Skills

   • Called "hustling," a critical skill taught to maximize earnings during client interactions.
   • Ann’s method integrates personal experiences to foster understanding among novices:
     • Role-playing scenarios to practice client interactions.

3. Maintaining Professional Standards

   • Encourages fair treatment of colleagues and prohibits engaging in “dirty hustling” practices.
   • Establishing a professional code of conduct to ensure harmony among working women.