[Title of the Assignment]
[Writer’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
Human Trafficking
Introduction
Following the World war II, United Nations Oraganization came into being with the prime objective to save humanity from the scourge of war in future. The horrific events of the war compelled nations and especially the big powers to come closer and foster peace for the generations to come. Its not the war and disputes among nations that UNO deals with but evils which tear the social fabric asunder. One of those evils is human trafficking. The definition of human trafficking according to UNODC (United Nations Office on Drughs and Crime) is very much clear and reflect a clear picture of the problem. It renders human trafficking as a trade of humans with the purpose of forced labour, prostitution or sexual exploitation for commercial purposes. Trading of human organs and their removal also the subject matter falls under the concept of human trafficking
The problem cannot be studied by using only a single approach but using different approaches. The problem is interdisciplinary and reflects certain disciplines and approaches in its anatomy. The problem can be studied under the umbrella of sociological studies. It uses sociological imaginations, and the macro- and micro-sociological perspectives. By applying sociological knowledge on the problem, authorities can be compelled to devise policies to curb the horrors of this evil. The subject matter of human trafficking also draws attention towards the differences in forced labour and trafficking for labour manipulation. There is a thin line between forced labour and trafficking for labour exploitation. Most trafficking victims never earn the money out of the job they were assigned for.
Another horror of the human trafficking is that mostly women are traded and data also reveals that most of the trafficking victims are women. We may encounter that much of the public dissertation on trafficking is about the trading of women for prostitution. This can also be termed as the violence against women and the subject matter of gender studies or women studies explicitly deals with the problem. Commercialization of intimacy is yet concept cascaded by human trafficking problem and it exposes the relationship between micro- and macro- lavel dealings. Human trafficking flourishes from the abuse of individuals and can be acknowledged as transnational crimininal enterprise. It primarily focuses on the enterprises making money out of some illicit profession and forcing individuals for prostitution, pornography. It can argued that sexual exploitation is the goal of trafficking, the more “fancy” the product, the higher the price of the product.
Human trafficking is a global challenge and requires an insight from researchers and scholars from other disciplines. ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"4gRwIGxC","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Burke, 2017)","plainCitation":"(Burke, 2017)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":21,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/MNULNKSL"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/MNULNKSL"],"itemData":{"id":21,"type":"book","title":"Human trafficking: interdisciplinary perspectives","publisher":"Routledge","ISBN":"1-317-39585-9","author":[{"family":"Burke","given":"Mary C."}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2017"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Burke, 2017) The problem is open ended and too compex for one discipline to comprehend and solve it. The above debate also supports the view point that vital intuitions into the problem is offered by two or more disciplines. Moreover, the problem lies at the interface of disciplines. The venn diagram of the problem would reveal that all disciplines providing insight into the problem makes an overlapping diagram and no two disciplines represents the disjoint sets.
Literature Review
Background and forms
If any one watch a Hollywood movie ‘Taken’ starring Liam Nesson, he would get his metal map of human trafficking. Nothwithstanding the fact that the movie provides a brief and clear picture of human trafficking, however, humkan trafficking is much intricate than is displayed in the movie. Human trafficking is not just a cross-border business. It exists with in the boundaries of the country as well. It has four major categories, Labor, sex, Medical and Other. The most dominant form of the human trafficking is sex trafficking.
Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking has become the most dominant form of human trafficking over a decade and has almost 4.8 million victims worldwide. It includes both prostitution and pornography, which has affected about 3.8 million adults, and 1.0 million children. Majority of the victims reported in sex trafficking are women and girls. This can also be termed as commercial sexual abuse.
Labor Trafficking
Following the sex trafficking, labor trafficking has secured a Runner’s up spot in this race. Labor trafficking used to be the most dominant exploitation of humans. In labor trafficking people are fored and coerced to work. It includes areas like domestic workers, factory workers, and workers on farms and fishing boats. Labor trafficking has exegerated figure so far as the victims are concerned. About 16 million wokers are coerced by private companies, 1 million are in state-sponsored labor and 8 million are incarcerated as sex workers.
Other trafficking
There are also some other forms of trafficking which fall under the subject matter of human trafficking. It includes forced mariages and trading of human organs in the black market. Albeit, trafficking in human organs is the least common form of trafficking. Another separate category which is not the part of labor trafficking is state-sponsored labor trafficking. ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"emqmNpPx","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Potter, 2008)","plainCitation":"(Potter, 2008)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":23,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/NXHSEBD7"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/NXHSEBD7"],"itemData":{"id":23,"type":"article-journal","title":"Sex Trafficking: Explanations and Suggested Solutions","author":[{"family":"Potter","given":"Tylee"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2008"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Potter, 2008) In 2016, 4.1 million people are estimated in state-imposed forced labor. People exploited in agricultural and economic ‘develpement’ projects are included in the above mentioned numbers.
To carry out an interdisciplinary on human trafficking, then the questionare which should be formed prior to the research seems inevitable. The questions in the context of human trafficking are as follows:
What industries are actually related with human trafficking, directly or indirectly ?
How should the surivivor of human trafficking be treated ? what are their needs once they are pulled out of that abusive atmosphere ? Do the services which are provided to them depends upon their age, sex and the exploitative environment they are pulled out of ?
What specific organizations, indigenous or international, provide services to the victims of the human trafficking ?
What law enforcement agencies, indigenous or international, deal with the offenders of such a heinous crime ?
What are the areas that need special reforms or focus regarding human trafficking ?
How the people, who deals with the victims of human trafficking, are trained ?
Why the victims of the human trafficking do not cope with the normal societal patters and environment ?
What should be done if surivivors of human trafficking are outcasted by others ?
Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Human trafficking, undoubtedly remains a challenge to the mankind and also the bulding block of number of social evils. Human trafficking is the cause of most grave human rights violations and its cosquences are difficult to cope with. The two most important disciplines that go hand in hand while discussing the subject matter of human trafficking are; Sociology and gender studies. Human trafficking can be termed as modern slavery. Slavery is the most extreme form of domination as so is the human trafficking. ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"At5hDR7V","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Tobi & Kampen, 2018)","plainCitation":"(Tobi & Kampen, 2018)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":25,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/S6GPFGDX"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/S6GPFGDX"],"itemData":{"id":25,"type":"article-journal","title":"Research design: the methodology for interdisciplinary research framework","container-title":"Quality & quantity","page":"1209-1225","volume":"52","issue":"3","author":[{"family":"Tobi","given":"Hilde"},{"family":"Kampen","given":"Jarl K."}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2018"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Tobi & Kampen, 2018) To support this view point, the argument is that the ‘trafficker/trafficked’ relationship is by no means separate from coercion. Why it should be studied under sociology ? the reason is very simple and precise. Only a socially dead person and economically weak person would agree to work under such conditions. Social demise of people and especially women actually urge them to fall prey to the traffickers. Such kind of people are basically the soft targets and easy to convince or coerce.
The second discipline which incorporates the subject matter of human trafficking is gender studies. Gender studies must not be confused with women studies in first place, albeit, most of the subject matter in this discipline is about women. But the disciple provides insight into the gender based vioilence which the victims of human trafficking are subjected to. Violence against women is mostly common so far as human trafficking is concerned.
Comparison of Perspectives
If a mathematician is given the task to draw the venn diagram of sociological and gender based perspective of human trafficking then he will, for sure, come up with the overlapping sets. The overlapping diagram of the both perspective would justify the commonalities between the sociological and gender perspective of human trafficking.
Figure: A
It is obvious from the above Figure: A, that both perpective overlap with eachother and overlapping region is the subject matter of our work. i.e. human trafficking.
So far as the common grounds between the both perspectives are concerned then there are many. Social construction of gender and depriviation and alienation of people based on their sex in our social fabric is one main cause. Sociological perspective of human trafficking involves those parameters which become the cause of social demise of a person. The social fabric can easily be tormented and disfigured by outcasting a person. If a person is exploited in labor trafficking then the it might be possible that the person was outcasted by the community he was living in.
Pursuit of social status and labor trafficking
People, who are socio-economically weak and despondent are the real targets for labor trafficking. The pursuit of better social status would urge a person to get exploited by the traffickers. The traffickers would normally persuade such person by offering attractive incentives. The person who was socially outcasted would derfenitely find the offer attractive then would be exploited. Now the question is, where does the gender based dimension of labor trafficking exist in such a scenario. Gender based dimension do exist in such a scenario because in labor trafficking person would be subjected to gender based violence. And, gender based violence is clearly the subject matter of gender studies. Labor trafficking is not only carried out by private enterprise but also by the state, which we term as state-sponsored labor trafficking. Capitalism is what actually motivate the labor trafficking and state-sponsored labor trafficking. Capitalist’s basic purpose is to earn more and more profits by exploting labor or hire labor on the cheapist rates. This very point illustrates the relationship between capitalist economy and labor exploitation, which ultimately leads to the labor trafficking, and labor trafficking leads to the gender based violence.
Sex trafficking and its gender based dimension
The most common category of the human trafficking is sex trafficking. Mostly victims under this category are women and girls. Sex trafficking is the most profitable business. Now, where do sociological and gender based perspective exist here. Women in our society are the most deprived and alienated beings. Their status is defined by the society which deprive them of their basc rights. Women and young girls are easy target for the traffickers. In most of the cases they are kidnapped and then traded between different parties. Now, the moment women are trafficked, gender base perspective kicks in. ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"0knV72sO","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(D\\uc0\\u8217{}Cunha, 2002)","plainCitation":"(D’Cunha, 2002)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":24,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/YIDNST6F"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/YIDNST6F"],"itemData":{"id":24,"type":"paper-conference","title":"Trafficking in persons: a gender and rights perspective","container-title":"Expert Group Meeting on Trafficking in women and girls","page":"18-22","author":[{"family":"D’Cunha","given":"Jean"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2002"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (D’Cunha, 2002) The clear gender dimensuion of the human trafficking is clearly borne out by data released by UNODC and Eurostat. Women girls and children, unlike men are most preffered, so far as human trafficking is concerened. Women and girls are not trafficked for the same purpose as men are trafficked. If we look at the trafficking cycle then it can argued that it is highly gendered. Root cause for trafficking of men and women are different altogether. Experinces of men being abused by labor trafficking are attracting mounting comforts. But, the trafficking of women is still a an intricate phenomenon.
Root cause that contribute to the sex trafficking can be categorized as ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors. Push factors normally spin around the social structure and social problem and primarily include, poverty, gender discrimination, conflicts and violence. Pull factors in a more subtle way can defined as the offers or promises made by the traffickers. More often than not persecution and abuse, both are borne out by the amalgamation of push and pull factors. Business of sex trafficking also obeys the natural principle of demand and supply. ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"fZCkkrX6","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Terry, 2007)","plainCitation":"(Terry, 2007)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":26,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/QX68F7IW"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/QX68F7IW"],"itemData":{"id":26,"type":"book","title":"Gender-based violence","publisher":"Oxfam GB","ISBN":"0-85598-602-6","author":[{"family":"Terry","given":"Geraldine"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2007"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Terry, 2007) So it can argued that sex exploitation exists not because of the vulnerability of victims but because increasing demand in sexual services.
The common grounds provided by the above perspectives help to carry out research in a more elusive mode. Let suppose if the research is carried out by one discipline then there is a possibility that it might not cover the whole subject matter to derive the hypothesis on the subject matter or it misses the details necessary to carry out the research on the subject. Methods outlined by the social research has some constraints which might restrain the research. Interdisciplinary method of reseach would help to cover all the details necessary to carry out research on the subject matter. ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"vpIMqwXO","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Mahmoud & Trebesch, 2009)","plainCitation":"(Mahmoud & Trebesch, 2009)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":29,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/8JKWAJW7"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/8JKWAJW7"],"itemData":{"id":29,"type":"report","title":"The economic drivers of human trafficking: Micro-evidence from five Eastern European countries","publisher":"Kiel Working Paper","author":[{"family":"Mahmoud","given":"Toman Omar"},{"family":"Trebesch","given":"Christoph"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2009"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Mahmoud & Trebesch, 2009) For instance, one may identifies the social causes for the human trafficking but the the gender dimension which is not wholly covered in the sociology can not be explored. If the gender dimension is not explored, then the gender based violence which the victims of human traffickling are subjected to might not get covered in the study.
Solution Map
Curbing the evil of human trafficking is inexorable. It demands holistic approach from the authorities concerned. The problem is moot point among the scholars and demands an interdisciplinary approach to save humanity from the scourge of human trafficking. The problem lingers on to the social fabric ever since the dawn of 19th century and number of factors have resonated this very problem. It involves almost all the disciplines of social sciences and demands from the scholars of all these disciplines to look for the solutions. It’s socio-economic in nature and it needs sociologists and economist to move together and solve this very problem. Health care problem are normally associated to the victims of human trafficking. ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"v2RHCjkj","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Konrad, 2002)","plainCitation":"(Konrad, 2002)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":22,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/EMT7D9SW"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/EMT7D9SW"],"itemData":{"id":22,"type":"article-journal","title":"Trafficking in human beings-the ugly face of Europe","container-title":"Helsinki Monitor","page":"260","volume":"13","author":[{"family":"Konrad","given":"Helga"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2002"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Konrad, 2002) Providing an insight to trafficking legislations and holistic approach adopted by law and enforcement agencies might be helpful in coping with the problem and devising a solutions. The work of law and enforcement agencies must be supported by other disciplines. Exploring the factors that have resonated the problem over the past years and looking for the solutions to those problem is yet another way to curb the menace of human trafficking. How relatioships are built and sustained, if analyzed, then it definitely would provide us with an insight to the gender based and social domain of the problem. Pointing out locations, organizations and NGO’s working to find the solutions of this problem might help in a better way to curb human trafficking to some extent, if not completely. The most important thing to look for is the route through which human trafficking is carried out. Finding out the routes and trading between the parties is yet another way in order to map the solution of human trafficking. ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"Vse8fzro","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Mahmoud & Trebesch, 2010)","plainCitation":"(Mahmoud & Trebesch, 2010)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":28,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/WDJKQ6WP"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/jsvqEXt1/items/WDJKQ6WP"],"itemData":{"id":28,"type":"article-journal","title":"The economics of human trafficking and labour migration: Micro-evidence from Eastern Europe","container-title":"Journal of comparative economics","page":"173-188","volume":"38","issue":"2","author":[{"family":"Mahmoud","given":"Toman Omar"},{"family":"Trebesch","given":"Christoph"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2010"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Mahmoud & Trebesch, 2010) The economic structure and businesses of enterprises, which are involved in human trafficking, if pointed out, then legal actions against those companies can be taken easily. This, yet again demands holistic approach so far as law enforcement agencies are concerned.
Conclusion
Certainly, it’s not easy to curb human trafficking or carrying out research on the basis of single discipline is surely not possible. Interdisciplinary approach to carry out research and moving towards the solution of this problem is inevitable. Its important to note down that singeling out one form of human trafficking would really not help to curb this menace. Moreever all categorize should be considered and studied according to their nature and the threat it poses to humanity. No two categories of human trafficking are carried out in the same way. So there must a different way devised for each category of human trafficking. Thinking out of the box is what it demands. Interdisciplinary approach should provide an insight to the resource allocation for curbing this evil. Most important thing in this regard is that interdisciplinary approach must provide a clear understanding regarding the problem. It can be done by number of ways. For instance, conductiong surveys and visiting and interviewing survivors would reflect the problem in a better way. It also will provide profound understanding of the problem.
References
ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Burke, M. C. (2017). Human trafficking: interdisciplinary perspectives. Routledge.
D’Cunha, J. (2002). Trafficking in persons: a gender and rights perspective. Expert Group Meeting on Trafficking in Women and Girls, 18–22.
Konrad, H. (2002). Trafficking in human beings-the ugly face of Europe. Helsinki Monitor, 13, 260.
Mahmoud, T. O., & Trebesch, C. (2009). The economic drivers of human trafficking: Micro-evidence from five Eastern European countries. Kiel Working Paper.
Mahmoud, T. O., & Trebesch, C. (2010). The economics of human trafficking and labour migration: Micro-evidence from Eastern Europe. Journal of Comparative Economics, 38(2), 173–188.
Potter, T. (2008). Sex Trafficking: Explanations and Suggested Solutions.
Terry, G. (2007). Gender-based violence. Oxfam GB.
Tobi, H., & Kampen, J. K. (2018). Research design: the methodology for interdisciplinary research framework. Quality & Quantity, 52(3), 1209–1225.
Final Paper Grading Rubric
Criteria
Points Possible
Points Earned
General
Paper adheres to APA formatting (title page, citations, references page, etc.). Filename is correct. This rubric pasted at the end of the assignment.
10
Writing is clear with appropriate grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Headings are appropriately labeled
10
Introduction (500 words)
Student clearly identifies a complex problem or issue. It is clear from the writing that the problem is interdisciplinary. The student provides a clear rationale for the use of interdisciplinary research process. Incorporates feedback from first assignment.
20
Literature Review (750 words)
Student provides a brief background for the problem/issue. The student identifies and discusses meaningful interdisciplinary questions that should be asked about the problem/issue (inequality, conflict, and environment). Student identifies and discusses at least 2 (no more than 3) disciplinary perspective for addressing the problem/issue. The rationale for choosing those disciplinary perspectives is clear. Incorporates feedback from first assignment.
20
Connections (750 words)
Student identifies the common ground between the disciplinary perspectives. Student discusses how this common ground will address the problem in a more precise way than disciplinary research might.
20
Integrative Framework (500 words)
Based on the common ground, student discusses a new, holistic, integrative framework for understanding the problem/issue. Utilizes global perspective concepts learned in the course. Provides a clear understanding of both the interdisciplinary research process and global perspectives in constructing the new framework for understanding the global problem/issue
20
Total
100
Instructors Comments:
