Though illegal in the United States, prostitution is still a strongly prevalent crime happening all across the nation. Currently, a person participating in the crime of prostitution will be charged with a misdemeanor (Liberator 2). People every single day are being charged with a misdemeanor for this specific crime. Statistically, it may even seem like this crime is being caught more often than other, more extreme crimes. Prostitution is a strongly enforced crime that costs America large sums of money (Chittom 1). Contrary to what many think though, this crime isn’t illegal in all of America. Though illegal in the majority of America, it is legalized in the state of Rhode Island, as well as in several rural counties in Nevada (2). With the …show more content…
With laws come the price of regulating those laws. As it is now, jails are already filled to the brim for menial crimes like prostitution (Liberator 4). Keeping somebody in prison is not a cost free process. Countless amounts of dollars go into the housing and maintenance to maintain these criminals in jails and prisons. Not only does it cost money to pay for the people who are in prison or jail, the law enforcement behind prostitution costs extreme amounts of money. This leads to a large loss of taxpayer revenue that many feel could be used more efficiently elsewhere, such as education or healthcare. In addition to this, large sums of money would be generated for the government through tax revenue. It could be assumed that prostitutes would be considered independent contractors, making them responsible for filing taxes, which would benefit the government and American citizens greatly (Chittom 2). This new tax revenue is just one of the very obvious monetary benefits of legalizing prostitution. Aside from that, like other places that have legalized prostitution, this could be an attraction for tourism. A fine example of this would be the De Wallen red-light district, which draws a large amount of attraction to Amsterdam (3). The job of prostitution could easily be seen as a sensible job for those …show more content…
“Safeguard Public Health: Legalize Contractual Sex.” Taking Sides: Clashing views on Controversial Issues in Human Sexuality. Ed. William J. Taverner. Dubuqe: Mcgraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2006. 305-310. Print.
Chittom, Lynne-nore and Cheryl Bourassa. “Counterpoint: Prostitution Should Be Legalized.” Points of View: Prostitution (2013): 3. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
Itzler, Jason. “It’s time to Legalize Prostitution.” NY Daily News: Opinion. NY Daily News. 30 May 2012. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
Leigh, Carol. “Labor Laws, Not Criminal Laws, Are the Solution.” The New York Times: Room for Debate. New York Times. 19 April 2012. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
Levitt, Stephen D. and Stephen J. Dubner. Superfreakonomics. New York City: Harper Collins Publishers, 2010. Print.
Liberator, Mark. “Legalized Prostitution: Regulating the Oldest Profession.” The Liberator. n.p. 8 December 2005. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
Maginn, Paul and Graham Ellison. “Criminalising Sex Work Does More Harm Than Good.” Belfast Telegraph. 16 Jan 2013: 29. Sirs Issues Researcher. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
Murray, Jaqueline. “Legalization of Prostitution Far from Innovative, Historian Says.” Guelph Mercury.28 Mar. 2012: 3. Sirs Issues Researcher. Web. 19 Nov
Kelly’s article has raised valid points regarding safety to the prostitute within a brothel, but there is so much evidence that proves the ill effects of this experiment in other countries that the evidence cannot be ignored. Although, parts of the sex trade industry may initially see positive results for some of the workers, the majority would end up worse off than before. Due to the illegal nature of this industry and the control exuded by the pimp, the physical and psychological risk to the prostitute, the highly addictive nature of sex, and the organized crime behind the scenes orchestrating and controlling ever aspect of the industry, it is clear that decriminalizing prostitution would result in significant negative affects on society, prostitutes and those with sexual addictions.
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In 2007, three prostitutes, Terri-Jean Bedford, Amy Lebovitch, and Valerie Scott came to the Canadian government to challenge the current prostitution laws after pending charges were laid against them for illegal acts prostitution (Chez Stella, 2013). The Bedford Case has opened up a debate on whether prostitution should be decriminalized in Canada. Through my research, I offer a comparative analysis of four approaches to prostitution, which aid in illustrating the effects that decriminalization would have on prostitutes, and women as a whole. The four states that I have compared are Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Australia. These countries each hold different views and policies on prostitution. Canada is currently criminalized, the Netherlands is a state in which prostitution is legalized, Sweden advocates abolitionism, and in Australia, prostitution is decriminalized. Through careful analysis I have determined the effectiveness of each of the policies, and which system I believe would be best for Canada’s future. Based on this investigation, I advocate that Canada ought to adapt a similar approach to Australia, decriminalizing prostitution as a means for social, economic, and legal stability for women. It is through decriminalization that prostitutes will have the opportunity to be actively involved in the community, and no longer marginalized members of society.
Frances, S. (2012). Sex work and the law: A critical analysis of four policy approaches to adult prostitution . Thinking about justice: a book of readings (pp. 190-220). Halifax, N.S.: Fernwood Pub..
“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.” Claims author Lacy Sloan. In today’s society, many people believe that prostitution is an immoral act. It is the world’s oldest profession and because it has been long condemned, sex workers are stigmatized from mainstream society (ProQuest Staff). However, 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; therefore, prostitution should be legalized and regulated to ensure the safety of sex workers.
Cruz, J., & Iterson, S.V. (2013). The Audacity of Tolerance: A Critical Analysis of Legalized Prostitution in
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
Prostitution is illegal in the United States, except for some counties in Nevada. However, prostitution is in most part of the United States, despite the fact that it has been legalized. Prostitution is an act whereby, one sells his/her body for sex. In the United States, Prostitution is divided into three broad categories; street, escort, and brothel prostitution. Brothel prostitution takes place in brothel houses, which are houses where prostitutes can sell sexual services. This kind of prostitution is illegal in all parts of America, except in some counties in Nevada for example; Douglas County, Clark County, Carson City, Washoe County, and Lincoln County. Another form of prostitution is escort prostitution. This is always considered as entertainment, and massage services. It is supposed to be heavily regulated, but unfortunately, it is not because, in many counties where it is practiced, the only difference between escort and street prostitution is a phone call away. The last category of prostitution is street prostitution. This is the most unaccepted, and illegal type of prostitution in the United States. Street prostitution involves scantly dressed up women, and men roaming the streets looking for client to sell their bodies. It is the most frowned kind of prostitution because it is done openly. The question is should prostitution be legalized in the US? The answer is yes, this is because, it will help eliminate all the vices related to prostitution.
Raymond, Janice. "Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution And a Legal Response to the Demand for Prostitution." Journal of Trauma Practice (2003): 315-332. Print.
Sanders, Teela, Maggie O’Neil, and Jane Pitcher. Prostitution: Sex Work, Policy, and Politics. London: SAGE, 2009. eBook Collection. Web. 17 Oct. 2015.
Little do most know, but on “[a]verage [prostitution] arrest[s], court and incarceration costs amount to nearly $2,000 per arrest. Cities spend an average of 7.5 million dollars on prostitution control every year, ranging from 1 million dollars to 23 million dollars.” Prostitution is the oldest known profession. Currently in 49 countries and counting prostitution is legal. Here in America there is a stigma following the label prostitute. We would rather resort to underground markets of sex labor. Endangering health, rights, and economics. Legalizing prostitution can reduce health hazards by giving heath care, also by giving rights to those that choose prostitution as their profession. In the long term this
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.
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.
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.
Nassif, Tony. “Should Prostitution be Legal”. Cedarsfoundation.org. Cedars cultural and educational foundation, n.d. Web. 27 November 2011.