Analysis of Bell's Opinion on Prostitution

“When women say the harm in sex work comes not from the act of selling sex, but from the stigma and violence surrounding it because of its illegal nature, we must hear them.” (Datta). If prostitutes could turn to police for help from an abusive pimp or unwanted client, without the fear of being arrested, they would be able to work in a more secure and professional environment. Legalizing prostitution, can allow sex workers to form unions, make a safe environment for them, allow birth control and condoms. Thus reducing STD and unwanted pregnancies, and even give prostitutes the right to say no. “If sex workers should be required to get regular blood and STD tests, so should the clients who see them. Whether these two protections -- against violence and against disease -- come about through decriminalization or legalization depend upon the letter of the law.”

Sometimes, the term “sex work” is used, as well as “prostitution”. But whichever term we choose to say, it does not eliminate the stigma attached to it. Cases such as the Bedford V. Canada Case (144) indulges into the conspiracy of sex work and challenges certain sections of the Criminal Code that make business in relation to prostitution illegal. Ideally, a sex worker has a career just as a teacher or lawyer. For this reason, their human rights and dignity should be protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as are other professions. However, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as the Criminal Code do not seek to protect sex workers, yet, they seek to do otherwise using certain sections of the Criminal Code

It is rather odd to think that prostitution, which is considered to be the world’s oldest profession, would be illegal and harmful in nature. The issue of legalizing prostitution has entered public conversation around the world, which is severely divided. Many, like myself, consider prostitution to be a victimless crime. Despite such opposition to legalizing prostitution, many argue that legalizing it would result in decreased morality issues, increase the economic activity in the United States, and help decrease the number of sexually transmitted diseases among both prostitutes and those who patronize them,

The first chapter of this book details what Raymond believes to be the most dangerous myths surrounding sex work, or prostitution as she refers to it. The first point she makes is that “Prostitution is Inevitable.” She claims that this is “the most senseless argument in defense of maintaining the system of prostitution” (Raymond, 2013, p. 2). Raymond backs her claim by explaining that this idea stems from the patriarchy from a time when women were objects. Raymond then continues on to berate the mindsets that say that sex work cannot or should not be banned because the safety of the worker has to be taken into consideration. She compares the “harm reduction” mentality to the same mentality that tobacco industry claimed to be using filtered cigarettes.

Prostitution has been around as long as human beings have engaged in sexual activities, and it is even touted as the world’s oldest profession. Despite these proclamations, the subject of prostitution continues to spark controversy in the United States in moderns times as it is a hot debate topic. Off and on, throughout the years, various states around the country have proposed that the practice should be decriminalized; however, it remains illegal nationwide, except for a few counties in Nevada. The reasons for this stem from both sides of the argument, as anti-prostitution advocates claim decriminalization of prostitution is immoral and sexually exploitative, while pro-prostitution advocates want to keep the government out of the bedrooms of consenting adults. No matter the stance for or against prostitution, the current legal construction surrounding it is undeniably harmful. Regardless of the arguments against prostitutes, it is time to decriminalize the laws against this practice to protect the rights of sex workers.

Sexual favours in return for money, just the thought of this has people cringing, although laws have deemed to move forward with the idea of prostitution it seems although socially there has not been much progress. The idea of prostitution still scares, or one could even go as far to say it disgusts people. The lack of knowledge and awareness of the details of sex work create this ongoing hate towards sex work, which continues to stigmatize sex workers. Regardless of changing laws, regardless of changing policies, why is it that sex workers are still afraid to proudly announce that their job is in fact the job of a sex worker? Unfortunately, it seems as though the idea of sex work that seems to be such a terrible one is not what bothers sex workers the most, it is the social misconception of what sex work is like that leads these individuals to feel highly stigmatized (Van der Meulen and Redwood, 2013). The primary harm for of prostitution seems to be the stigma against prostitution, women involved in prostitution are considered socially invisible as full human beings (Farley, 2004). Why is it that our changing and progressing laws are still unable to remove this stigma from the lives of sex workers? This paper will argue that prostitution laws continue to produce stigma around sex work. It will argue this through revisiting the historical laws, examining present laws and ongoing laws at this time.

Brents and Hausbeck argue the capitalist element of this framework. Sex work is the choice to employ the sale of one's body and or sexuality for economic means. Sex workers utilize their body as their capital to increase their economic stability and survive. This definition illustrates that sex work is work just like any other field, where people utilize their personal capital and skill to achieve economic gains. The author's explain that our economy is already extremely steeped in the sale of sexuality and intimacy and therefore the expansion of the economy to accepted this sector is logical (2010: 16). Moreover, they argue that the increased saturation of sexuality in other forms of work increase people's understanding of sex work and therefore decrease stigma. One way to initiate understanding across fields is to highlight how sex workers are not the only people who's labor is unfairly exploited in a traditional capitalist manner, through overworking and under paying people for their labor (Brents and Hausbeck 2010: 18). Therefore a call for regulation and labor reform for sex work is also a call for reform for all workers creating a sense of solidarity, which could continue to undermine negative associations with the work.

So, when prostitution is legalized, controlled and, more importantly, monitored, it becomes less of a risk for workers in that industry. Managers and sex workers themselves are able to develop security measures and systems, which allow them to receive help should a

Many people advocate for the decriminalization of sex work, because full legalization would put strict guidelines in place, which include frequent visits to a physician to guarantee that the worker is free of any STDs and a required license in order to sell sex (Hayes-Smith, Shekarkhar). By the same token, Klinger states “the best choice for women is the choice that the individual woman makes for herself” (16), in regards to the legalization of prostitution and the potential restriction that may be put in place. It is absolutely the woman’s choice to become involved in this profession, however, it should not be left solely up to her when deciding how to go about practicing prostitution. As with any other profession or business, there should be laws in place

“Commercial sex is demeaning only when an intolerant and puritanical society defines it to be so, and makes it a crime…” writes Hugh Loebner in the “Magna Carta for Sex Work”. It seems as though all work is depicted as something that is gratifying. But, this is only the case when the person doing the work is working a respectable job, such as a job in the medicine or finance. These jobs require men and women to be dressed accordingly and to act accordingly to create a sense of professionalism when interacting with customers and or other colleagues. While the jobs in these advanced fields are essential to the progression of the United States, jobs in the sex industry are important as well, if not equally as important. Nevertheless, those working in the sex industry have been denied basic human and reproductive rights because they participate in a trade that is believed to be “immoral” or “impure”. These ideas of morality and purity are ones that have been shaped by oppressive principles such as sexism and misogyny and they pervade the minds of millions today. Because of this, prostitution and its legalization has become such a complex issue. But in reality, why is the issue so “complex”? The denial of human rights is inarguably unlawful and should be taken into consideration by not only those responsible for the law, but by every member of society. No humans’ rights should be violated due to occupation, trade, or calling, and this includes prostitution. Professors Paul R.

As countries are considering legalizing and decriminalizing the sex industry, we urge you to consider the ways in which legitimating prostitution as work does not empower the women in prostitution but does

Prostitution has frequently been touted as the world's oldest profession, for the simple fact that it has been prevalent in society for quite some time. In order to properly discuss the many social ramifications of this particular crime and possible ways for dealing with them, it is first necessary to define prostitution and to explore the reason why it is a crime. Prostitution is the exchange of money or monetary assets for sexual favors and pleasure. It is the paying for sex in all of its myriad facets, from conventional coitus to a number of lewd and arcane acts from which people derive pleasure. Prostitution is part of the sex industry, which includes legal business such as strip clubs (Weitzer 7). There are a couple of different reasons as to why exchanging money for sex is deemed illegal. One principle reason is that if it were legalized, it would be exceedingly difficult for the government to tax and to capitalize off it, which is one of the reasons in which marijuana is widely considered illegal. More importantly, however, prostitution is illegal because it promotes the objectification of women and their bodies, and inherently reduces the degree of parity between men and women in which the latter are viewed as things simply for the fulfillment of men's sexual desires. Additionally, there are a variety of noxious activities that accompany prostitution such as trafficking in which the will of another is subjected to someone else's.

One of the oldest known jobs in history is Prostitution, otherwise known as the sex labor industry. It is a major part of our society as an illegitimate source of income and employment. The prohibition of Prostitution creates a larger number of issues in society. Before, prostitution was a more individual decision, where countless women picked it as a last resort in emergencies; whereas now these women are coerced into the industry and experience abuse, murder, etc. The involvement and trauma prostitutes experience results in mental disorders. Furthermore, I investigate how the prohibition of prostitution has greater drawbacks on our society and introduce three policies that may help resolve the social issue within sex workers. Some policies I believe will provide the most benefits are first, the legalization of prostitution, second, enforcing and strengthening the law enforcement for human trafficking, and third, development of availability of medical resources.

Feminist approaches on sex work have often been criticized for being disconnected from the reality or lived experiences of the women involved in sex work, but Kotiswaran makes an effort to portray them with their own voice. Throughout her article, she explains the different types of sex workers and their work, and their experiences with the stakeholders like the police, brothel owners, customers, and goons. Even in describing the experiences of these sex workers, perhaps the greatest contribution of her article lies in offering not the reality, but realities of sex work. Sex work can be categorized in various ways and the functional independence and income of sex workers depends on a number of factors like the institutional setting in which the sex work takes place, “mode of organization of sex work”, influence of internal and external

Although it will help a lot of struggling women, moral reasons will keep sex work from becoming legal. Different approaches will need to be taken since a majority of politicians and citizens will refuse to make sex work legal due to their morals. These women must have their needs met through different measures, since the government will not be able to get too involved.