Prostitution is an issue that has been debated in many countries. 22 countries have legalized prostitution. In the United States, prostitution is only legal in 11 rural counties in Nevada. It used to be legal in Rhode Island due to a loophole, but since 2009, it has been illegal 1. Women are not the only ones who are prostitutes, about 20 to 30% of prostitutes are male 2, which means both genders are affected by laws against prostitution. Men and women should be allowed to choose how they want to use their bodies how they wish, and that includes prostitution.
People deserve the freedom of choice. While some question the morality of prostitution, citing the Bible or other religious texts, people such as Catherine La Croix, founder and executive director of Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics (COYOTE), say that “Sex work is no more moral or immoral than the chocolate or distilling industries”. In the argument of Associate Justice John Marshall Harlan, in the Supreme court case of USA vs. Bitty, said that “the lives and example of such persons are in hostility to 'the idea of the family as consisting in and springing from the union for life of one man and one woman in the holy estate of matrimony” 3. That argument that Harlan made is based on his religious beliefs, not on evidence. Prostitution is famously known as the oldest profession in the world and if prostitution is “wrong”, then why can people drink or smoke freely? Our laws should not be based on morality or religious text, they should be based on the people, the community, a grassroots campaign where the legality of prostitution is chosen by the people, who overwhelmingly support prostitution with 84.53% of people on a Huffington Post poll voting for the legalization of prostitu...
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Penn State University. "The Definition and Facts of Prostitution." Women's Studies 001 Prostitutes. https://www.courses.psu.edu/wmnst/wmnst001_atd1/Prostitution/facts.html (accessed March 12, 2014).
"Top 10 Pros and Cons - Prostitution - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. http://prostitution.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000115 (accessed March 14, 2014).
Walsh, Jemima. "The World's First Prostitutes' Union." The World's First Prostitutes' Union. http://www.walnet.org/csis/news/world_96/mclaire-9601.html (accessed March 16, 2014).
Weitzer, Ronald John. Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business. New York: New York University Press, 2012.
Weitzer, Ronald. "Prostitution: Facts and Fiction." Gwu.edu. George Washington University, 2007. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.
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
Fuchs, Erin. "The 6 Types Of Prostitutes And Where They Work." Business Insider 6 November 2013: Web.
Barry, Kathleen. "Prostitution." Reader's Companion to U.S. Women's History. 480-482. US: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 1998. History Reference Center. Web. 21 Oct. 2013
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.
Sanders, Teela, Maggie O’Neil, and Jane Pitcher. Prostitution: Sex Work, Policy, and Politics. London: SAGE, 2009. eBook Collection. Web. 17 Oct. 2015.
The oldest occupation in history, prostitution is one of the only occupations in which those who practice it are not protected by law in many first world countries. That however, sets the stage for disaster; women can get beaten and raped but will not report it out of fear of getting arrested themselves. To protect prostitutes and their patrons, voluntary prostitution of those over the age of eighteen in inevitable and must be legalized.
Barry, Kathleen. The Prostitution of Sexuality: The Global Exploitation of Women. New York: New York University Press, 1996. Print.
Prostitution is one of the most controversial subjects in the United States. There are many pros and cons to this subject. Should prostitution be legalized? Or should it stay illegal with no chance of becoming decriminalized? Some researchers confirm that prostitution is indeed the most ancient profession, while others argue with it; however, everybody agrees that trading sex for money has existed for quite a while. Prostitution is still a part of modern society. The fact speaks for itself, as there will always be a demand for the services that it provides, prostitution will exist in some form no matter what.
According to ProCon.org, prostitution was a profession that dated back to 2400 B.C. Though many things since then have changed, the practice of selling sex has been more or less the same. What has changed is the way that people now view the practice. Throughout the years the debate has been whether prostitution should become legal or illegal. Organizations like Amnesty International want to push forward the idea of legalizing consensual “sex work” between two adults who are willingly participating because it would help keep those in that line of work safer than they are now. While on the other side of the issue there are
Kramer, Lisa. “The Causes of Prostitution: An Overview”. Sociological Enquiry. Vol.73. (2003) pp. 511-28. Web. 27 November 2011.
Prostitution is the act of selling ones body for any type of sexual intercourse in exchange for money. Today, both men and women are willingly and forcefully engaged into the industry of sex and prostitution. It is most common for young teenage girls to be involved into this industry rather than a male or older woman. There are several different ways to how individuals are first brought into prostitution. One way is to be kidnapped and forcefully put on to the streets by a "Guerilla Pimp". "Guerilla Pimps" are the men who use their ability and force to kidnap young girls and throw them on to the streets to work as prostitutes (Youth Radio). Another way to be introduced to prostitution is by being persuaded by "Romeo Pimps". "Romeo Pimps" are the men who sweet talk you into situations and act like nothing is wrong with it (Youth Radio).
Liberator, Mark. "Legalized Prostitution: Regulating the Oldest Profession." Legalized Prostitution: Regulating the Oldest Profession. N.p., 8 Dec. 2005. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
The structure of society is losing ground everyday by what some people view to be human rights. I understand the importance of having freedom to exercise our rights. Some of these rights are morally incorrect, and does not necessarily better society. If prostitution is legalized, society will continue to decay from moral structure and standard. This decline in structure will cause extreme social problems, for example, the commitment for couples to remain monogamous. The bible states, “Because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their heart. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality, so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more”, (“Women’s Devotional Bible Eph. 4.18”). This is not about religion, but an understanding that we are created to feel emotion and desire for intimacy with limitations. These limitations are for our own safety and protection. The intimacy of a couple goes deep into mind and soul, which belongs between two people in love. Sexual acts outside of a romantic relationship are just lustful and violating. Should a person settle for anything less? I think not. Money cannot buy love just empty pleasure and a desire for more. What is the value of a person’s body? Priceless, therefore, people should not sell out for impurity.
Prostitution is known as the oldest profession in the world, however, many states in the U.S. outlaw it. The textbook definition of prostitution is the "act or practice of engaging in sexual acts for money" ("Prostitution," Macmillan 805). Nevada is the first in the United States to legalize prostitution. Although the long term effects of legalized prostitution is uncertain, the short term effects have been economically beneficial. Prostitution should be legalized because not only could it financially benefit the country, but it could also reduce crime.