No Clear Answer Concerning the Decriminalization of Prostitution

It is currently estimated that there are one million prostitutes in the United States. None of the prostitution businesses in America pay taxes because of their illegal status. If they were legalized, they would have to pay taxes which would mean that the government would receive revenue. Brothels in Nevada pay taxes to the counties where they do business, allowing each county to thrive economically. It is estimated that each legally licensed sex worker would contribute more than $20,000 in federal income taxes each year, which would mean that the government would receive an astounding $20 billion a year from the one million prostitutes currently working in America. Keeping prostitution illegal would mean that the government is losing the opportunity to gain this large sum of money each

Releasing laws on prostitution … specifically, legalizing this area of the sex industry, will create a profound impact on society. While halotry (as it was once commonly called) has its detractors and negative connotations, the benefits outway the problems society consistently point out. Society at large questions the merits of legalizing prostitution, when in fact there are several advantages legalization could create. At a minimum, legalizing harlotry will make the job significantly safer and keep sex workers and clientele healthier. By placing a public and government spot-light on prostitution, the public can expect to see less violence, for fear of prosecution and fines. If the government and or an organization stays on top of the work prostitutes do, there’s a likely chance sexually transmitted diseases will decrease; human trafficking and illegal children in relation to prostitution will also diminish. On an even higher note, this “new” occupation will assist in dropping unemployment and benefit the economy, tax payers, and government. While there are certainly strong points as to why legalizing prostitution is wrong and unorthodox, there’s powerful evidence that supports the concept of legalization. For instance, if one looks at the history of prostitution, they’ll learn how long prostitutes have been around and how they were all but welcomed and accepted in older societies! Existing laws on harlotry, pertaining to the majority of the U.S, must be converted; not only

Prostitution is an age-old profession, and has been referred to as the oldest profession known to man. According to alternet.org, there was a time when prostitution was fine and legal. In fact, prostitutes help settle early American settlements. Where ever you had men that were settling the West, you had prostitutes. The practice had become so big in the United States that women would often migrate from other countries to be a part of the profession (AlterNet). But now many people often look at prostitution as a degrading practice for women. Most opinions formed about prostitution are due to religious beliefs and personal opinions from incorrect information. Despite the act being illegal, it is still practiced all over the United States, resulting in multiple issues, such as STDs, arrests, and rape/sexual abuse. Due to the fact that prostitutes are faced to deal with the following issues: STDs, arrest, and rape/sexual abuse, therefore, the government should study the prostitution laws practiced in other

The 21st century has seen many changes in the worldviews of the global community. Different bodies campaign for the rights of people indulging in practices that the global society has seen as taboos for the last twenty centuries. These include the rights of same sex marriages, human cloning, physician-assisted suicide, abortion, and prostitution. This is because the society realizes that each individual has a right to choose his or her lifestyle in a democratic world. The legalization of prostitution raises a lot of controversy in the world today. Prostitution is an old practice in most countries, but few countries have legalized the practice to date. This paper discusses the controversy surrounding prostitution legalization, and supports the

When individuals hear the word prostitute they think of a women who gets pleasure in partaking in sexual activity for money, they believe that prostitution should be terminated from the United States because of the problems surrounding it. What most fail to realize is that legalizing prostitution can benefit the United States economically and reduce the crime rate surrounded by prostitution.

“I originally intended to write in defense of legalizing prostitution, but hindsight has made me realize that I cannot defend a profession that dehumanizes its workers.” Tlatenchi, Fredy. "Prostitution Should Not Be Legalized." The Sundial. N.p., 27 Nov. 2012. Web. 07 Sept. 2015. The statement above would lead the author’s readers to believe that prostitution if legal would be no different than it is now, shameful, dangerous, disease ridden and exploitation filled. Prostitution has been around for some time, given it is referred to as the world’s oldest profession. Why is it then, if still illegal, do so many continue their sex work? Desperation? Empowerment? Force? Lack of a moral compass? In

“I originally intended to write in defense of legalizing prostitution, but hindsight has made me realize that I cannot defend a profession that dehumanizes its workers.” Tlatenchi, Fredy. "Prostitution Should Not Be Legalized." The Sundial. N.p., 27 Nov. 2012. Web. 07 Sept. 2015. The statement above would lead the author’s readers to believe that prostitution if legal would be no different than it is now, shameful, dangerous, disease ridden and exploitation filled. Prostitution has been around for some time, given it is referred to as the world’s oldest profession. Why is it then, if still illegal, do so many continue their sex work? Desperation? Empowerment? Force? Lack of a moral

The public health issues that the legalization of prostitution seeks to address are those faced by the sex workers themselves. These issues include: higher prevalences of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (compared to the general population), limited accessibility to health services, sex trafficking, workplace violence, and poverty. Sex workers are at a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections due to a lack of education regarding safe sex, condom use, and access to health care services for testing (1). Criminalization can discourage sex workers from actively seeking education and access to health care services due to fears of arrest or harsh judgement (1). Moreover, criminalization does not eradicate prostitution, but rather forces it to be done in underhanded ways, hence encouraging the elusive recruitment of unwilling participants into the sex industry (3). With the government only targeting those openly involved in sex work, the focus is shifted away from eliminating sex trafficking (1). In addition, the criminalization of prostitution forces the act to be done in areas away from the public. As a result, sex workers are at a higher risk of violence and death at the hand of their customers (1). They are also less likely to report

In society today, a negative connotation surrounds prostitution. Illegal in most places in the United States, it did not used to be that way. During this time, prostitution was a vibrant and successful industry. Nevada currently allows prostitution in a limited capacity. Those who wish to operate a brothel in Nevada must secure a license, and the ordinance must have less than four hundred thousand people. This case study is starting the trend towards decriminalization of prostitution. The biggest argument against legalization stands on religious and moral grounds. However, society has transcended past these obstacles. Internationally, numerous countries currently have legalized prostitution. Ultimately, prostitution is conducted on behalf of private citizens. It does not harm a third party. The government needs to delegate the legality to the people, rather than governmental intervention.

Prostitution has been and may always be one of the most controversial topics in the United States. While there are some who argue that prostitution should be legalized, others do not agree with this theory. Some advocates argue that prostitution is a victimless crime and that it should be a decision that one chooses on his or her own. They also believe that the legalization of prostitution will minimize crime, increase tax revenue, and potentially improve public health. However, I refute such arguments. Prostitution should be not be legalized because it would not only encourage but increase human trafficking, increase the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and advertise a false perception of an immoral activity upon children.

Prostitutes are tested often and monitored to “prevent the spread of STDs” (Liberator 2006). The vast majority of sex workers do not engage in sexual activity with a sexually transmitted disease. To be able to be employed as a sex worker, one must have proof that they do not have STDs. The working women are tested monthly and must provide a certificate from a certified doctor “guaranteeing their good health” (Fleiss 2003). The Daily Planet, an institution for female sex workers, requires that “any sexual act committed in The Daily Planet must be done with protection” (Fleiss 2003). Legalizing prostitution would normalize men and women receiving medical care for sexually

In the end it all comes down to how committed and serious the government is. The pros of legalization outweigh the cons. Prostitutes can make a living of the sexual services they present. They would have more protection health-wise and physically. With taxes being paid through regulation, there can be enough funding money to contribute to health clinics specialized for them and clients. They can be safer in reducing theirs and others’ chances of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. The other protection these escorts would receive is security, especially within brothels. With government control, brothels will be kept on the radar. They can also provide body guards or some type of security check to make sure all runs smoothly. Many of these benefits are from government help, which should happen if they are making a profit from taxes. It would be rare this type of business will die down because it is our human nature to reproduce therefore making this a good investment for the government. Human trafficking was another major topic that had controversies over the effects of legalizing prostitution. Although the numbers varied in different countries, prostitution should have no particular effect of the size of trafficking. Once again, it becomes dependent on how well the government interferes. Strict guidelines and criminal punishments would be a start in minimizing the chance of prostitutes being sold

Prostitution is defined as "the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment," (1). Prostitution to this definition is illegal in 109 countries and legal in 77, yet America doesn 't fit into either of these categories. America is one of 11 countries where prostitution is restricted, however, this label can be quite misleading. American prostitution is only legal in 11 rural Nebraska counties and is completely illegal in the rest of the country (2). While the legalization of adult prostitution is not a pressing political matter for American politicians, it is for various international politicians. With a closer examination of the policies changed and the benefits or disadvantages of these changes in ¬the Netherlands, it can be determined if a degree of change in American policies would be advantageous to various persons or not.

America. The so called land of the brave and free, but are we really free? Free to do as we please as long as it has no negative affect on society, other individuals or even ourselves? With more government regulation on radical ideas such as the use of medical marijuana, could the legalization and regulation of prostitution be the next idea brought to the table? Prostitution is an old profession dating all the way back to the 18th century and still causing controversy worldwide. While some people are morally proposed to the legalization of prostitution it, would have many benefits if legalized which include protection of both parties involved less violent crimes and possibly beneficial to the economy.

Thank you Jose, There is a big controversy about decriminalization prostitution, but what about the women in a forced abusive relationship, marriage without any support and concubinage. Those are also viewed as prostitution. For instance, marriage is sometimes compared to prostitution as women who get married offer their sexual favors in exchange of economic and social position supplied by men (Davis, 1937). We have seen this in lots of uneducated, lower income, immigrants and forced marriage women. Therefore if prostitution is give legalization we have better control over these kinds of crimes as you mention (mainly referring to the pimps, and voluntary prostitutes).