Prostitution: The Oldest Trade
An Economic and Health Problem
Prostitution by definition is described as sexual intercourse in exchange for remuneration (Bhunu,C.P, & Mushayabasa,S.S, 2012). Prostitution has a variety of forms: Brothels, escorts, prostitution and street prostitution. Brothels are established buildings specifically dedicated to prostitution; escort services can take place at the payer’s residence or hotel room, and street prostitution is usually seen in urban areas on street corners. Women involved in prostitution are a cause for concern from both public health and economic perspectives (Murphy, 2010). The promiscuity involved in the life of prostitution creates a high risk population for contractive sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Through research it was found that women involved in prostitution are considered to be at great risk for STD’s and HIV because they engage in sexual behavior more frequently and with more partners than is usual in population (Murphy, 2010). While promiscuity is a direct reasoning for higher HIV rates among prostitutes, injected drug use has a direct correlation as well. Research shows that twenty five percent of all males in the United States have solicited a prostitute at some time in their lives (Murphy, 2010). Bhunu,C.P, & Mushayabasa,S.S, found that HIV prevalence among female sex workers (prostitutes) varies widely but in some countries it is more than twenty times higher than the HIV prevalence of the general population. Prostitution is a social problem in itself; however there are other problems that are linked to the entry into prostitution. It is driven by a number of factors which are mainly peer pressure, homelessness, drug addiction and poverty just to menti...
... middle of paper ...
...l Of Biological Systems, 20(2), 1-17
4. Goode, E. (2011). Deviant Behavior (9th ed.). Prentice Hall.
5. Monroe, J. (2005). Women in Street Prostitution: The Result of Poverty and the Brunt of Inequity. Journal Of Poverty, 9(3), 69-88. doi:10.1300/J134v09n03
6. Murphy, L. (2010). Understanding the social and economic contexts surrounding women engaged in street-level prostitution. Issues In Mental Health Nursing, 31(12), 775-784. doi:10.3109/01612840.2010.524345.
7. Perry, T. (Director). (2009). Madea Goes To Jail [Motion Picture].
8. Post, D. (2011). LEGALIZATION OF PROSTITUTION IS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. National Lawyers Guild Review, 68(2), 65-108.
9. Ţălnar, I., & Himcinschi, C. (2012). PROSTITUTION PHENOMENON - LEGAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS. Juridical Current, 15(1), 101-113
10. Weitzer, R. (2006). MORAL CRUSADE AGAINST PROSTITUTION. Society, 43(3), 33-38.
In the following assignment, it is my intention to produce a research report, examining women involved in street prostitution and how they end up entering the criminal justice system. Within the report I will look at three pieces of research, review their main findings, the type of research that was used, and look to identify where I believe further research is required. My reason for choosing women in the criminal justice system is that I have expressed an interest in the criminal justice setting and my elective module is in this area. Anything that I learn from undertaking this assignment will aid my understanding and increase my knowledge base when undertaking my second placement. Prostitution has been defined as: "Prostitution involves the exchange of sexual services, sometimes but by no means exclusively
Library. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. Rosie, DiManno. “Prostitutes Suffer with ‘Sinister’ Law.” Toronto Star. EBSCO. Web. 8 Apr.
Prostitution To understand the relationship between sex trafficking, prostitution and drug use, it must first be understood how sex trafficking and prostitution are related. Although many people are familiar with what prostitution entails, Kubasek and Herrera define it as the engaging, agreeing to engage, or offering to engage in sexual acts or contacts with another person in return for a fee (2015). The authors define sex trafficking as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act (2015). Something that many do not realize is that individuals who may be victims of trafficking are commonly located while they are engaging in prostitution, and are then criminalized instead of offered the protection and support they often desperately need. Our current legal system does not handle trafficking cases as a means of prostitution.
Many women became prostitutes as a result of their skills no longer being needed, and they needed a way to provide for themselves. So, women found one aspect of themselves that society told them they could sell. Unfortunately, prostitution was a bleak affair. Occasionally, a woman got lucky and bought her way out of the profession, but she was the exception. Most lived and died in poverty. Furthermore, because of the destructive nature of the profession, most prostitutes grew to be disheartened and disillusioned, many even diseased. Prostitutes were socially ostracized, victims of the gender roles that were placed upon them. Women who lived the life of a prostitute often faced harsh realities, far from the promised lure and attraction of the American
Barry, Kathleen. "Prostitution". Boston: Houghton Mifflin, (1998). General OneFile. Miami Dade College. Web. 2 Apr. 2014.
Prostitution, as stated by Flemming, is known as a form of sexual activity, a kind of sexual style or category, and a form of economic activity, a way of making a living through the provisions of certain services, by behaving in accordance with, or falling into such a category (39). This definition, though, is controversial. While conducting research for this project, we found that most topics regarding prostitution and its affiliates were controversial. Each author gave a differing interpretation for the same data. Due to this, our project centered on the female prostitutes, even though there is evidence of male prostitutes.
Murphy, L. S. (2010). Understanding the Social and Economic Contexts Surrounding Women Engaged In Street-Level Prostitution. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 31(12), 775-784.
Moreover, there is an array of cases regarding drug use: those who do not use drugs; those who became addicted after entering prostitution; those who resort to prostitution to support the habit; and those who are primarily addicts and exchange sexual favors for cocaine. The society is largely male-dominated, with pimps and fixers controlling the women and who they interact with; there are also numerous cases of violence perpetrated by pimps as well as customers. Another theme that is revealed is the dynamic of escaping prostitution and how these
Esselstyn, T. (1968). Prostitution in the United States. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 367, 123-135. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://ann.sagepub.com/content/376/1/123.full.pdf+html
Weitzer, Ronald. "Prostitution: Facts and Fiction." Gwu.edu. George Washington University, 2007. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.
Opponents argue that, prostitution has health effects and that is the reason as to why it remains illegal in most parts of the United States. Prostitution has social economic, physical, and a number of mental implications. The prostitutes and their clients are subject to a nu...
Clemmit, Marcia. “Prostitution Debate.” CQ Press. 18.19 (2008): 435-438. CQ Researcher. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.
Prostitution is the occupational service where sexual acts are exchanged for payment. Opinions of prostitution have changed drastically over the course of half a century, and are being debated worldwide. Prostitution is a very controversial topic, however there are claims that legalizing prostitution could create an overall safer environment, not only for the sex workers but the rest of society. There has been many alterations in prostitution laws and enforcement practices in several countries. Many nations have created new laws or intensified existing penalties for prostitution-related offences such as soliciting sex, purchasing sex, or pimping. Some other societies are experimenting with policies that securitize prostitution.The claims proposing these regulations are important because they are directly opposed to both the conventional benefits of prostitution and the specific allegations of anti-prostitution crusaders. In Canada and the UK, the exchange of sex for money is not illegal. However, the activities that go along with prostitution are criminal offences.“In March 2012, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a ban on establishments for the purposes of prostitution, which effectively makes street prostitution illegal. In the US, most jurisdictions, prostitution, solicitation, or agreeing to engage in an act of prostitution are classified as illegal. With the exception of licensed brothels in certain areas in Nevada. In the Netherlands,prostitution was legalized in the mid-1800s but it wasn’t until recently, the 1980s sex work became a legal profession. Restrictions on brothels and pimping were lifted in October 2000 and the industry is now securitized by labour law. Prostitutes are registered as legal workers....
Prostitution is highly controversial, many claiming that the legalization would lead to more prostitution, which would therefore be a larger disgrace to society. Furthermore, an essay written by Janice G. Raymond, titled “Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution.” This essay brings down ten legitimate reasons as to why prostitution should not be legalized, citing failed attempts in Australia and the Netherlands. The immoralities of these laws shine when, upon closer examination, the laws regard the prostitutes as mere sexual objects for profit to benefit the economy. However, as these faults are recognized, places like Amsterdam begin to alter their laws regarding prostitutions, making them more strict in an attempt to make prostitution safer. Still, organized and regulated legalized prostitution could lead to world reform in the sex trade.
The exploitation of prostitution is considered to be a serious global issue in most of the countries around the world. Also, the number of prostitution cases is increasing tremendously each year and seems to be more serious than the past centuries. However, yet very few to none of the countries have completely solved this problem. Saudi Arabia and Netherlands are two examples of the countries where prostitution is still considered to be a problem that the government of both countries cannot ignore. There are different solutions that Saudi Arabia and Netherlands have come up with to solve the problem.