study about the common conceptions regarding prostitution in Sweden The aim of this study was to explore the conception of prostitution in Sweden of today. In the study three different levels were examined: government level, organizational level (organizations helping people out of prostitution) and individual level. The subject was examined in three different ways: documents, a participant observation and interviews. Government and organizational levels express a strongly negative attitude against prostitution. They believe everyone should battle prostitution and their goal is to eradicate it. The prostitutes are described as week, helpless individuals who need to be rescued. Someone who wants to buy sex is described as abnormal and the behavior is prohibited by the law. The work against prostitution is characterized by pastoral power and an ambition towards normalization, where the authorities appear as a strict but loving parent who always knows the right way to go. The individual level differs a bit from the other levels and the view of prostitution is less negative and rigid. Historically the prostitutes have been regarded as a dangerous group who could create chaos in the society. Today’s conception/conceptions about prostitution might be something we have inherited
