Essay On Prostitution

Robin Goharchin

Professor Wonser

Sociology 21

21 May 2014

Prostitution

Author Lacy Sloan claims, “There is no difference in work in which a women sells her hands, such as a typist, and a work in which a women sells her vagina, as in sex work.” In today’s society many people believe that prostitution is an immoral act. It is the world’s oldest profession and due to the social construction of reality it has been long condemned causing sex workers to be stigmatized from mainstream society. The act of purchasing sex between consenting adults should not be prohibited by the government, but regulated for society's overall best interests. Prostitution is illegal and as a consequence prostitutes are often victims of violence and sexual assault; nevertheless, prostitution should be legalized and regulated to ensure the safety of sex workers.

As prostitution is criminalized, this profession is driven underground which undermines the safety of prostitutes. Legalizing prostitution would provide sex workers with regulatory protection and allow this form of work to be recognized as legitimate. As the author of “Think Again: Prostitution” states, “evidence shows, that criminalization of sale or purchase (or both) makes sex workers-many of whom come from marginalized social groups like women, minorities, and the poor-more vulnerable to violence and discrimination committed by law enforcement. Also, criminalization can dissuade sex workers from seeking help from authorities if they are raped, trafficked, or otherwise abused.” Therefore, sex workers are subjected to unfair treatment that could be prevented if this work was legalized and safe conditions were enforced. The author of "Counterpoint: Prostitution Should Be Legalized” states, “prostitut...

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...galizing prostitution would substantially help to improve the health and safety of individuals and society.

Prostitution should be legalized and regulated as society would benefit in various ways, such as the reduced spread of sexually transmitted diseases, economic benefits, empowering women, and reducing the violence toward sex workers. Because prostitution is criminalized many suffer as a result. It is inhumane to subject people to violence, rape, or abuse when it could be prevented if prostitution is decriminalized and regulated. Due to the illegalization of prostitution, this profession is driven underground which undermines the safety of prostitutes. The issue with prostitution is the controversy on the social and moral legitimacy of commercial sex. Despite the public health concerns, legalized and regulated prostitution will benefit the health of society.