Why was Srey Neang sold at seven by her parents? What factors discussed in Chapter One lead to children being sold by their families? Some editions of the book may use different stories to emphasize various components of trafficking- please substitute stories as appropriate.
One quote from the book that really made a point for me was on page 54, “Family honor trumps love.” This is a factor that keeps children from complaining once they are sold. They realize that the money that it earns their parents is all that matters to them. Unfortunately in this culture one of the reason children are sold is that their parents are in poverty and cannot take care of their children. One child is essentially “sacrificed” for the well-being of the rest of their family. Nearly 35% of the Vietnamese families in Cambodia sell a daughter into the sex trade. Statistics show that these actions are, “widespread and culturally acceptable.”
A prime example of these things in the book was with Noi. Her parents sold her for money and a promise that more money would come each month the she worked at the club. Noi’s view was that she owes a debt to her parents. She is willing to sacrifice her own body in order to provide for her parents.