Legal Prostitution in the United States

1089 Words3 Pages

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,

The most common argument against the legalization of prostitution is that it establishes sexual immorality. The prostitute, according to the moralist, is a sinful mortal that ought to be controlled by civilized society. To engage in prostitution signifies a total loss of individuality. It is said that prostitution is degrading for all parties involved, especially for the women. America’s Christian heritage, particularly Lutheran and Calvinist, is both anti-sexual and anti-hedonistic. Sexual activity is seen only as a necessary evil for procreation. To enjoy the activity borders on sin; and to enjoy it so much as to be promiscuous or to make a profit from it is outright sinful (Ericsson, pp. 337-338). That fact that prostitution never was and never will be a threat to reproduction within the family is obvious. It could be considered a social safety valve for men who seek out prostitutes for sexual excitement or release outside their relationship, and would do so whether this was paid for or not. In this respect prostitution does not threaten the institution of marriage. It allows for a sexual relationship outside the ma...

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...nd license prostitution. Prostitution is not going away anytime soon. A government regulatory system would provide the state with and important tool for testing and profiting from this sexual activity.

Works Cited

Ericsson, Lars. "An Attempt at a Philosophical Assessment." Charges Against Prostitution 90.3 (1980): 337-338. www.jstor.org. Web. 21 Sept. 2011.

Mackenzie, Sara. The Morality of Prostitution (Published jointly with the British Association of Libertarian Feminists), 1992, 2pp.

"Sisyphe.org - The legalization of prostitution and its impact on trafficking in women and children." Sisyphe.org : Un regard féministe sur le monde. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. .

"Street Cleaning." Prostitution Research & Education Website. Pgs. 32-34. CQ Researcher, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. .

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