The task of this thesis is to uncover the forces which operate in the control of women's sexuality by men. To uncover these forces it was necessary to make visible the experiences of women, I chose to investigate the experiences of prostitutes. The traditional method of interviewing was inappropriate because it is directed towards objectifying the interviewee. Rather than interviewing I sought to facilitate the expression of the experiences of women, who I recognised as "experts" in their own lives. From these details and a number of secondary sources,I have concluded that men have gained control of women's sexuality by institutionalising their access to it. Through the institutions of marriage and prostitution women provide men with sexual services.In the institution of marriage men get access to women as reproductive and domestic workers. Through the complementary institution of prostitution men get access to women to satisfy their immediate sexual demands. In examining patriarchal control of women's sexuality, I believe that I have contributed to an understanding of one of the fundamental political aspects of women's oppression.