In 1955 Rosa Parks sat in a white mans seat on a bus and refused to get up when asked too, saying "NO, I will not," to the demands of the white authoritarian mans society. This attitude is the same attitude that the greater world population needs to have towards the degrading act of selling ones body for money. 70 out of the 196 countries in the world (Meltzer) that have legalized the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment (Merriam-Webster.com), and before this number can get any larger, someone needs to listen to the thousands of voices that are saying “no” to prostitution. There are an unimaginably vast number of issues this profession which don’t just include the rights of male and female sex …show more content…
Therefore, sex slaves are victims, and have the right to escape the captivity of prostitution by guaranteeing that nobody else can be forced into the industry, legal or illegal. At first glance, the idea of selling a male or female body for sex seems to be a horrendous crime, and when one looks closer, it’s undoubtedly evident that prostitution is a horrendous crime. This is not just because of the obvious unethical reasons of producing sexual pleasure for a indiscriminate John, but also for the question of rape as a side effect of illegal prostitution. The majority of the world would say that rape is far worse than prostitution due the non consensual factor, but they are wrong. In many situations, prostitution is rape, and considering what sex workers have to endure in this line of work, it might as well be emotionally rape. Sex workers are only soliciting what seems to be consensual sexual activity because they have been forced into the profession. Either they have to produce and ends to a means, to provide for themselves or their families, or they have been forced or coerced against their will by a deceptive and seemingly caring boyfriend or girlfriend who then turns into their pimp. They are victims of abuses, violent and heartbreaking abuse, as: “90 percent of prostituted women have been physically
As Monzini points out, prostitution is one of the services that can be trafficked. Prostitutes have more freedom and autonomy than women who are victims of sex trafficking (Monzini, 2005, p. 2). In fact, sex trafficking can be seen as a form of slavery.
By keeping prostitution illegal, it keeps the doors open for a victimless crime to have many victims. Many prostitutes are people looking for a way to get out of a certain situation they are in, but do not have the skill set for what society considers a better quality job. These people then turn to prostitution in hopes of making money, earning a living and getting an education (Reynolds, 13). Prostitutes could become victims of their own career choice. Prostitutes who are beaten or abused by clients are often scared to report the crime to the police in fear they will be charged with a crime instead. As Reynolds points out, there are no real laws
Prostitution is said to be “the world’s oldest profession” (Ramchandran par. 1). The Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines prostitution as “the act or practice of engaging in promiscuous sexual relations especially for money” (“Prostitution” par. 1). Many people argue that prostitution should be legalized, but it hurts people more than it helps. Legalization of prostitution condones sexual behavior for profit. Not to mention, the increased risk of illness or infection via sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), or death. It also does not “enhance women’s choices” (Raymond par. 45). This means that whether
Prostitution is illegal in the United States and the laws keeping it illegal are causing more problems than they are solving. Because there are no regulations or laws protecting sex workers in the United States, and everything is run underground, there is nothing stopping the mistreatment and abuse of sex workers in the United States. The only way to protect sex workers is to legalize prostitution. In the following paper, I will attempt to prove that prostitution is a victimless crime and the laws against prostitution are hurting prostitutes more than they are helping them. If we want prostitutes to remain safe while earning a living, the only way to achieve this is to legalize prostitution.
In recent articles and news reports in the United States, many people are debating if Prostitution should be legalized or remain illegal. A lot of women are driven to prostitution to support their family or to satisfy their sex drive. There are a lot of comments made about prostitution on whether prostitution is considered a job or an sex offense to women. Many people don’t agree with Prostitution being considered a job because it is disrespectful to women, or some people see it as a way of support especially when they are the only family provider. But some people don’t understand that if Prostitution is Legalized that gives the sex industry a gateway to expand. In addition The United States Government should not legalize prostitution because
From July 4, 1776, the United States has always prided itself on the copious freedoms granted to its citizens. Freedom of speech, the press, and to bear arms are just a small testament to how well the U.S. has maintained its liberties for over two centuries. Noted internationally as a socially progressive nation that sets unmarked precedents in breaking social barriers and razing oppression, the U.S. unfortunately falls short in protecting ones right to rule over their own body. Prostitution, the exchanging of sexual services for payment, has been specifically outlawed by the State of New York. This direct targeting of the sex trade within New York leaves many people unprotected under the law, both in consensual prostitution and nonconsensual human sex trafficking, while greatly eliminating the potential tax revenue that would be generated. Prostitution, when involving consenting adults, is a victimless crime and when criminalized, it forces a specific set of morals on everyone within that jurisdiction no matter of their personal beliefs.
According to the legal dictionary prostitution is “commission by a person of any natural or unnatural sexual act, deviate sexual intercourse, or sexual contact for monetary consideration or other thing of value.” Some argue that in this case no one is being victimized and hurt and wonder why is it still illegal. Although some think there is no victim, the act of prostitution goes against the law and therefore must still be considered a crime (according to the definition.) Although this is voluntary, all acts of prostitution show male dominance of women and often comes along with rape, verbal abuse, domestic violence, sexual harassment and battering. Studies show that “73 percent reported having experienced physical assault in prostitution.” In addition, that” 92 percent stated that they wanted to escape prostitution immediately” and that “83 percent of prostitutes are victims of assault with a weapon.” Therefore, prostitution causes harm to the women who partake, although it is voluntary making it a crime with a definite
Generally, prostitutes are arrested for soliciting sexual endeavors for a financial benefit. Society perceives sex trafficking victims as prostitutes and believes that the victim makes a conscious choice to prostitute. Victims go to jail or prison, and then are often released back into society with no help, protection, or formal education. These factors may increase the chance that the victim will not only reoffend, but also continued to be sexually exploited, raped, infected, beaten, or both mentally and physically abused (Rand, 2009).
Rather than associating prostitution with violence and victims, one should think of human rights specifically, for if a person wanted to, they should be able to willingly offer their sexual services in exchange for money, (Davies, p.4). Yet, it is not possible since it is illegal to solicit sex in public, where it is obviously easier to find prostitutes, buy or sell sex, and to engage in prostitution repeatedly in the same place due to the fact that it would be considered a brothel by the law, (Davies, p.4). They not only have no legal means to work but then, therefore, have to resort to unsafe measures, (Davies, p.4). Sex workers use their bodies in order to provide for themselves and their families, their
Prostitution is describing the selling of sex that does not need consent or coercion. Trafficking covers coercion and forced labor as well as slavery. (P. 502) The main difference is that same women choose to go into prostitution on economic grounds and tracking is done through force. When someone wants to participate in something, even if its concerned bad, unhealthy or unsafe its harder to protect them for the dangers. Millions of women have made the discussion to sell sex bassed on economic grounds. Some women making UK100 a night selling sex isn’t going to want to sweep floors or kit sweaters for half the price and more hard labor. (p. 502) Women can make much better money and better their economic status by being a prostitute. Here in the US we see selling sex as a moral issue that needs to stop. This brings up another issue, that women here are battling between moral ideology and the reality of the situation. Women in other counties don’t have the same values, beliefs or rights that we have here. For most of us its seems unreal that women and young girls would sell there body like that but to them it’s a way to better there situation and their life. Women also have a different mind set about what they are doing. They see themselves as sex workers, its job and that’s all it is. (p. 502)
“Prostitution is the world’s oldest profession” is one of the most commonly used quotes when debating whether or not prostitution should be legal. Prostitution is not the oldest profession, but one of the oldest forms of violence towards women. It seems old because of its history which includes the sexual exploitation of women and children and the projected idea that men need sex whether by force or purchase. Prostitution isn’t natural or inescapable, but it is abuse and a form of exploitation against women that results from structural inequalities between men and women on a larger scale. Some organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union believe that prostitution is a victimless crime and decriminalization of sex workers would reduce STDS and violence towards sex workers. However, According to U.S statistics, sex workers are more vulnerable to STDs than any other group. Also, in parts of the world where prostitution is legal, there is a higher frequency of violence towards women. Legalized prostitution creates a setting where crimes against women and children become a commercial enterprise. Prostitution commodifies women and markets them as something available for purchase by men so that they can use them to their liking. According to the Center of Missing and Exploited Children, young girls enter prostitution in America before the legal age of consent.( Each year, the age of girls that are involved in prostitution declines. Most young women enter prostitution
Main Point- According to Cathy Young, Contributing Editor of Reason magazine "…prostitution is perhaps the ultimate victimless crime: a consensual transaction in which both parties are supposedly committing a crime, and the person most likely to be charged—the one selling sex—is also the one most likely to be viewed as the victim…” The proponents of prostitution believe it is a sexual
Regardless of the viewpoint that prostitution is immoral, sexual rights are inherent to all people and they have the right to choose to be sexually active in consensual relationships or not. Admittedly, some clients buy the right to mistreat prostitutes and strip respect for human beings from a person in order to fulfill their desire to be a dominant figure (Doll). Many people use this belief as evidence that prostitutes are degraded and their profession should be illegal. However, Kelly J. Bell, graduate of Simmons College in the area of Psychology, argues, “Men do not own a prostitute when they are paying her for sex any more than a business man owns his factory workers” (Bell 1). Just like any other job, prostitutes are individuals who
One of the more prominent factors embodied in prostitution is the overwhelming amount of rape cases. According to “The Definitions and Facts of Prostitution,” 70% of sex workers have been either raped or abused by their customers, pimps or strangers (Toth). Pro-legalization supporters say that if prostitution was legalized, then brothels could be more closely regulated which would ensure their safety. However, due to the environment of prostitution, it is very unlikely that sex workers could ever be completely safe. As said by the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW), “Prostitution cannot eliminate rape when it is itself bought rape. The connection between rape and prostitution is that women are turned into objects for men's sexual use; they can be either bought or stolen. A culture in which women can be bought for use is one in which rape flourishes” (ProCon.org). Because of the nature of prostitution, it is unfair to promise that regulation would protect sex workers from violence and rape because of how embedded it is in prostitution. Not to mention, the protection of prostitutes would cost brothels extra money, and the likelihood of them doing that is very slim. The prevalence of violence ingrained in prostitution is so extreme that it is unimaginable to consider it an actual profession. Cecilia Hofmann of the CATW says, “It
The “world’s oldest profession,” also known as prostitution, is considered a grey area in morality (Thiroux). Prostitution is defined as selling oneself or one’s talents for base purpose (Agnes). Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of arguments for prostitution and the act of prostitution becoming legal. Coinciding with popular belief, there are more arguments against the act of prostitution being legalized. While some consider the act of prostitution to be an immoral act others will consider it a victimless crime. Most people consider it to be immoral and use arguments such as it cause crimes, spreads social diseases and AIDS and it is extramarital and commercialized. The opposing argument, which is for the act of prostitution say that it, is a victimless crime, is a safe sexual release and is not socially acceptable and it could be controlled by the government (Thiroux). The underlying question now asks, is the act of prostitution moral?