Argument For The Legalization Of Prostitution

Though widely accepted throughout the course of human history, the approval of prostitution in today modern society seems to be a much more grey area. While once legal in every major civilization on earth, prostitution is now illegal in many countries, though sometimes tolerated for the revenue it generates. This cold shoulder toward prostitution began in the Middle Ages, when church officials began to preach of the sins associated with the profession. Their cries, however, fell on mostly deaf ears. Prostitution had become such a large contributor of public revenue in so many countries, that is was protected and regulated by law. In the centuries to come, however, things began to change. With the rise of stringent sexual morality standards associated with the Protestant Reformation, the increased transmission and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and the implementation of such social movements as feminism, prostitution began to fall out of favor, eventually becoming illegal in many parts of the world. (Jenkins).

It is rather odd to think that prostitution, which is considered to be the world’s oldest profession, would be illegal and harmful in nature. The issue of legalizing prostitution has entered public conversation around the world, which is severely divided. Many, like myself, consider prostitution to be a victimless crime. Despite such opposition to legalizing prostitution, many argue that legalizing it would result in decreased morality issues, increase the economic activity in the United States, and help decrease the number of sexually transmitted diseases among both prostitutes and those who patronize them,

Thesis: The criminalization of prostitution does more harm than good when often women are left unprotected, both socially and legally, and therefore, the United States should make efforts to decriminalize and regulate prostitution instead.

Prostitution is currently an illegal act that has existed for centuries in the United States of America. Throughout the history of prostitution, this act has been endlessly evolving; however, the basic terms of prostitution in which a person engages in sexual activity with another being for a payment has remained constant. It seems apparent that a stigma is attached to the prostitution industry involving participants from both sides. In fact, people possessing negative judgments toward prostitution are highly accepted and this is where the majority of people stand on this issue. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the entirety of the prostitution industry, as this business in one of the most complex occupations in the world. According to the FBI, prostitution is the third largest criminal enterprise and is solely the fastest-growing business of organized crime in the country (Hill & Walker-Rodriguez, 2011, p. 1). With this being said, a change within the framework of prostitution must be met to combat the dangers presented. Presently, prostitution is illegal in the confines of the United States of America, with the exception of eight counties within the state of Nevada. The current solution to this countrywide problem is placing a ban on prostitution. However, it has been made apparent that outlawing prostitution has nearly no effect on diminishing the presence of this illegal activity. In fact, a grant of $44 million was administered to sixteen cities

Prostitution has been considered a criminal act for centuries throughout the world and it is also considered by some to be the world’s oldest profession, dating back to biblical time. The dictionary defines the term, “The act of having sex in exchange for money: the use of a skill or ability in a way that is not appropriate or respectable” (Merriam-Webster). This act became illegal in America in the early 20th century. Decriminalizing prostitution has its positives and negatives. If prostitution was to be made legal in America the positives would be tax revenue, less human trafficking, a work choice and fewer diseases. Negative outcomes to decriminalizing prostitution would be the issue that it is still morally wrong, abuses women, and human trafficking. In this paper I will first review the positives that decriminalizing prostitution could have in America and then the negatives effects from legalizing this crime in America. If American society were to get passed viewing prostitution in a negative light and legalize it, it could present some benefits for America

Prostitution is a controversial issue that has been around since the beginning of time and has recently became a major problem in today’s society. Prostitution is defined as the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment. Prostitution is often times referred to as “the oldest profession in the business”. It is prohibited in several countries, the United States included, though in some countries it is accepted and is legal in many others. Today, prostitution is so controversial because of the number of youth involved in it. Those who oppose prostitution are against it because it endangers a big portion of women with diseases and can also be considered as a form of slavery. Due to the fact that prostitution increases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, while also destroying the image of areas it has heavily polluted, along with the morality of the women involved in it, it is seen as a practice that needs to be done away with, or mandated by the government.

Prostitution is an issue which has caused controversy culturally and historically and has many individuals reexamining the issue.

As the policies currently stand in the US, no health requirements for prostitutes are in place and this damages public health. The justice system assumes that deterring people from participating in prostitution will prevent the spread of sexual transmitted diseases but this is not the case and has not always been the argument against prostitution. In an article called “Why is Prostitution Criminalized? An Alternative Viewpoint on the Construction of Sex Work,” by Rebecca Hayes-Smith and Zahar Sherkarkhar, researches argue that before the nineteenth century the debate was based on moral grounds, but after the nineteenth century it was shifted to the medical issues. It is especially interesting that, “At the time doctors urged the government to regulate and license prostitution so that prostitutes would be required to take medical exams,” because medical professionals were only wanting exams while the government pushed that illegalization was the only way to prevent the spread of STDs (Smith and Sherkarkahr 45). Nonetheless, protecting prostitutes and clients from STDs is a big concern in all countries but illegalization is not the way to protect the public. In an article “What to know about Nevada’s legal brothels,” by Michael Martinez, he discusses the different health regulations that brothels in Nevada abide by. It is noted that, “The state board of health requires sex workers to undergo testing for sexually transmitted infections. Monthly blood testing is

Prostitution is one of the largest controversial issue facing the United States. The definition of prostitution, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is the act or practice of engaging in sexual relations especially for the money. Prostitution has been constantly bashed by the media and is currently legal in only one state. In this state, only one county has banned prostitution. Why is it illegal? What is wrong with prostitution that has made it illegal? These are the important questions that people have to answer before identifying and judging whether it should remain illegal. Prostitution is a social controversy based on moral values and the controversy is often times construed among moral values. Many people often feel that prostitution can be compared to pornography, and that is why it should be legalized. Prostitution should be legalized even if it is not morally right because prostitution is a matter of whether or not people’s safety is in harm’s way. Prostitution is safe when it is legalized. This is because government regulation is an influential part in the safety of the citizens.

Prostitution is a big problem today. Making prostitution illegal has brought the percent down from 13.6% to 8% from 1996 to 2008 (Goldberg 20). In Canada, in 2011, women were more likely to become a victim of sexual assault than men (Janine 165). Girls, in 2009, of the age 15 or older were victims of sexual assault (Janine 165). A National Assembly in France, that made prostitution illegal, noticed that the crime rate had went down. Prostitution should stay illegal.

Some say prostitution is the world 's oldest profession. Yet, only a small percentage of the world’s government allows it. The legalization of prostitution is a very controversial topic due to many people’s moral beliefs. Prostitutes all over the world are treated as outcasts. A reason for people to be against prostitution could be due to their religious beliefs, moral standpoints, or lack of knowledge over the subject. Many religions state that sex outside of marriage is a sin and those who do it should be looked down upon. Due to these beliefs people tend to be against the legalization of prostitution. Though there are many facts that show that prostitution should be legalized. Prostitution should be legalized in the United States because then it can be regulated, would help the economy, and would lower the prison population and crimes against prostitutes.

Prostitution has frequently been touted as the world's oldest profession, for the simple fact that it has been prevalent in society for quite some time. In order to properly discuss the many social ramifications of this particular crime and possible ways for dealing with them, it is first necessary to define prostitution and to explore the reason why it is a crime. Prostitution is the exchange of money or monetary assets for sexual favors and pleasure. It is the paying for sex in all of its myriad facets, from conventional coitus to a number of lewd and arcane acts from which people derive pleasure. Prostitution is part of the sex industry, which includes legal business such as strip clubs (Weitzer 7). There are a couple of different reasons as to why exchanging money for sex is deemed illegal. One principle reason is that if it were legalized, it would be exceedingly difficult for the government to tax and to capitalize off it, which is one of the reasons in which marijuana is widely considered illegal. More importantly, however, prostitution is illegal because it promotes the objectification of women and their bodies, and inherently reduces the degree of parity between men and women in which the latter are viewed as things simply for the fulfillment of men's sexual desires. Additionally, there are a variety of noxious activities that accompany prostitution such as trafficking in which the will of another is subjected to someone else's.

By keeping prostitution illegal, it keeps the doors open for a victimless crime to have many victims. Many prostitutes are people looking for a way to get out of a certain situation they are in, but do not have the skill set for what society considers a better quality job. These people then turn to prostitution in hopes of making money, earning a living and getting an education (Reynolds, 13). Prostitutes could become victims of their own career choice. Prostitutes who are beaten or abused by clients are often scared to report the crime to the police in fear they will be charged with a crime instead. As Reynolds points out, there are no real laws

Prostitution is a profession that has been around for thousands of years despite being a controversial topic in many parts of the world. In the modern world, the ethics of prostitution have been debated with many people viewing the profession as immoral. Prostitution is an exploitative and harmful profession for the sex workers. Since women account for a majority of those who engage in prostitution, these negative impacts affect women more. Also, prostitution is a gendered institution that strengthens and

One of the oldest known jobs in history is Prostitution, otherwise known as the sex labor industry. It is a major part of our society as an illegitimate source of income and employment. The prohibition of Prostitution creates a larger number of issues in society. Before, prostitution was a more individual decision, where countless women picked it as a last resort in emergencies; whereas now these women are coerced into the industry and experience abuse, murder, etc. The involvement and trauma prostitutes experience results in mental disorders. Furthermore, I investigate how the prohibition of prostitution has greater drawbacks on our society and introduce three policies that may help resolve the social issue within sex workers. Some policies I believe will provide the most benefits are first, the legalization of prostitution, second, enforcing and strengthening the law enforcement for human trafficking, and third, development of availability of medical resources.