HARLEM PIMPS' ACCOUNTS OF THEIR ECONOMIC PATHWAYS AND FEELINGS OF INSIDERNESS AND OUTSIDERNESS

Authors

Amber Horning, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Christopher Thomas, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Sara Jordeno, Rhode Island School of Design

Abstract

"This study analyzes semi-structured interviews with 85 pimps in New York City to explore how pimps discuss their economic pathways - i.e., how their pimping leads to distinct types of work outcomes and how they discuss their associated feelings and attitudes. We compare younger (18-23) to older (24-67) pimps, anticipating that younger participants would be more adaptive and produce discourse less entrenched in outsider thinking. Pimps' movements between licit and illicit work worlds mirror those of drifters (Matza, 1964) and align with Murphy and Robinson's (2008) concept of maximizers (i.e., economically benefiting from both work worlds simultaneously). Younger pimps, despite their at-risk status, boast of several distinct advantages in moving between worlds, such as flexibility and technological savvy. How pimps' experiences in both worlds connect to insider (mainstream orientation) or outsider discourse ( oppositional orientation) is also examined. Many older pimps who identify as 'hustlers' express oppositional discourse that aligns with Sandberg's (2009) 'gangster' discourse. Those pimping to survive tend to express 'oppression' discourse. Despite their at-risk statuses, many younger pimps demonstrate a hybrid (insider/outsider) orientation, which is one of versatility where participants describe an ability to master both illicit and licit worlds or at least maximize their opportunities by participating in both worlds."

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Horning, Amber; Thomas, Christopher; and Jordeno, Sara (2019) "HARLEM PIMPS' ACCOUNTS OF THEIR ECONOMIC PATHWAYS AND FEELINGS OF INSIDERNESS AND OUTSIDERNESS," Qualitative Criminology (QC): Vol. 7: No. 3, Article 4.
Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/qc/vol7/iss3/4