After watching the beginning of China in the Red, I began to see some connections between the economy and my research topic of prositution.  It really struck me when a woman said, it does matter what you do as long as you make money, the government really likes that.  I find it ironic because it appears that you are able to do anything you wish, however, the government still limits what you can do, and how you do it.  Prostitution is still illegal in China, however, it is a way that many women make ends meet and can flourish in an openning economy.  In addition, the government limits who can live in the city, which causes many peasants to move into the city illegally, putting more strain on the economic system. 

I also finished reading the documents on pbs.com about China in the Red, and I found it very interesting to read that a decade ago, urban centers in China did not contain a large amount of poverty, because the “iron rice bowl” was in place, which guarenteed permanent work and health care.  However, in 1998, economic reforms were put in place to modernize many of the factories, forcing them to lay off a significant amount of workers.

In my primary source, the hooker worked at a factory during the day because she did not make enough at the factory to save any money. However, in 1998, working as a prostitution would suppliment her even more because she may have been laid off and could soley rely on prostitution as a main source of income.