Legislation and Prostitution: Do They Coincide?

'Legislation and Prostitution: Do They Coincide?

Throughout research the question: 'What exactly is the definition of pornography?,' has been asked several times. This is the answer to this very common question, "according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1973), pornography is 'Written, graphic, or other forms of communication intended to excite lascivious feelings.'" Pornography being such a broad topic as it is has been reduced and in this reading the basis of pornography, will be centered around, Legislation in part with Prostitution.

Prostitution. What comes to mind when one hears this word? Cheap, degrading, trashy, offensive,...any other adjectives come to mind? What about accepted? Shocking as it may seem, but research has shown that in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries, prostitution was accepted. Prostitution is defined as "a socially identifiable group of women (who) earn their living principally or exclusively from the commerce of their bodies." There were certain rules however, a prostitute was not allowed to be with good men and could not be near the church. Prostitution became institutionalized by the Fifteenth Century and if a prostitute lived on a public street she was punished. Their punishment for their first offense was only a fine, but by their third offense they had to pay a fine and were also punished by "running the town, beating, and banishment from the town." These were the laws and if disobeyed, that was the punishment.

At the time this book, Bad Girls and Dirty Pictures, was written there were no laws against pornographic material in any form. In fact, 'The First Amendment to the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution' states that,

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. This right is either absolute or it does not exist."

Anywhere in the First Amendment was there any violation of what pornography stands for? There was not any laws that prove the violation of pornography. These are laws against things that are considered obscene or too explicit. If there were no laws, movies would not be rated and magazines of any sort, would be available anywhere and to all age groups.

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