Prostitution and Functionalism Essay

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

To assume that it can be removed from society is harmful and a waste of our resources. Offering a safe environment for prostitution makes the most sense by allowing the “profession” to continue legally minimizing the dangers that are currently attached. Knowing that legalization offers prostitutes equal access to health care, protection by law enforcement, and decreased risks of human sex trafficking make the argument of legalization clear. As humans we should all want to help make life better for each other regardless of our choice of profession. We can do this by making prostitution legal in

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 a subject whom many people today have vocal opinions about if it should be legalized and is it moral? Can you imagine how people felt about prostitutes in the 19th century? Today people think the worst possible things of a woman who prostitutes herself and a less rigid view of women’s sexuality exists now almost two centuries later than there was then. In 2011 men and women can have a different view of prostitution and distinctive ways to correct the problem. Men today as they did almost 200 years ago would like to see prostitution legalized and regulated. Women still see prostitution as they did a moral issue that needs reformed. The data suggests that few things have changed when it comes to the punishment and

Functionalism is a consensus structuralist theory, which sees the source of crime and deviance located in the structure of society. Although crime and deviance might be stigmatised in society, some sociologist think it is important to have it occur and there are some benefits to it.

Policies and laws fail to stop prostitution, and it will not stop. It is more costly to keep prostitution illegal. Prostitutes will be more vulnerable to getting criminal records, which then makes it harder for them in society, to obtain legal jobs. Also, with prostitution being illegal the workers may not be able to protect themselves from crimes against them. As prostitution is not legal, then they have to find discreet places to work, which usually is not in a safe environment. If some kind of crime against them did happen, they may feel that, they aren’t able to go to the police for help, as their work is illegal. It actually makes it harder on the worker, in turn making it harder for the client. There are all sorts of people who turn to prostitutes. From blue collar workers to high executives of companies, business owners and more. With prostitution being illegal, the clients are facing criminal charges as well. This does not only hurt the client, but communities as well. The author believes that people around the world have changed their older views and sexual norms to adapt to a more modern society. Brents, B.A., Jackson, C.A., & Hausbeck, K. (2010) concludes that prostitution is better being legalized than being criminalized (p.233). And with this change, people should reevaluate and learn from Nevada’s policies on prostitution being legal. While the author has shown many reasons why

Prostitution would be much safer in the United States if it were legalized. A study was done in the 1980’s that found that around 124 sex workers were murdered every year in the United States (“Atlantic City Prostitutes Taking Precautions as Death Toll Rises”). If the states would legalize prostitution within brothels only, measures could be taken to keep the prostitutes

The foundation to the functionalist perspective is that everything occurs for a reason. It is necessary for a society to have rules and laws to abide by, society lives in a consensus. It is important to understand the need for there to be social memebers whom do not conform to society; in this case prostitutes. Since prostitution is against the law in the United States except for in Nevada then prostitution helps in the validation of law enforcement personnel. Since there are social actors not abiding the law there is a need for the police and sheriff’s departments to control the criminals. For a society to function there are rules and rule breakers. There can’t be one without the other.

The functionalist perspective focuses on order and stability. The sex industry thrives because there is such a demand for it. Some people feel the need to experiment with their sexuality by participating in practices a significant other may not want to partake in or in because they have no one to participate with. The idea of selling sex comes into play because it provides an outlet for these individuals. There are men that seek the mere company of another and have the option of hiring and ‘escort’. This is a way to provide the social interaction desired without the investment of time or emotion that usually goes with such a relationship. With the ever-present demand for sex and companion related services, the idea of a consenting adult supplying that service opens opportunities for those that may have limited resources or means of living. The reality is that some individuals do not possess all the education or skills that are necessary to succeed in specific career paths. An individual can find possibilities in sex work that they did not have before. They can earn money and can have some form of protection from those that they work with. Not all those involved in sex work are bad people. Such as the policy suggested by Amnesty International, the legalization of sex work would ensure that those involved would enjoy equal legal protection from the negative aspects of the trade, such as protection from exploitation, trafficking,

Prostitution is one of the most controversial subjects in the United States. There are many pros and cons to this subject.

There have been many attempts to stop prostitution, but the field is growing more and more. Prostitution has existed for about 2000 years. Throughout the history of humankind, there were many attempts to eliminate prostitution, but no one could stop prostitution. Prostitution is one of the main survival methods for women who don’t have income to support themselves. As long as there is poverty, prostitution will exist forever. Prostitution is not only about women, but also it is about men. Also, prostitution is related to morality because when it comes to money, people are ready to do anything. Besides, some

Prostitution is the oldest profession, and it isn’t going away any time soon. We have legalized gambling, marijuana and tobacco but the fair trade of sex for money still remains something that is frowned upon. Instead of looking at prostitution as inhumane, it should be looked at as a service industry where two consenting adults exchange money for pleasure. Making prostitution legal would allow the sexual favor to be managed rather than ignored. Legalizing prostitution could save money for the government in many ways. There would be fewer court cases, and law enforcement could focus on gang related issues, instead of arresting prostitutes, holding them in jail, only to release them back to the streets. It is a never ending cycle because it is not legal.

Prostitution is a profession that has been around for thousands of years despite being a controversial topic in many parts of the world. In the modern world, the ethics of prostitution have been debated with many people viewing the profession as immoral. Prostitution is an exploitative and harmful profession for the sex workers. Since women account for a majority of those who engage in prostitution, these negative impacts affect women more. Also, prostitution is a gendered institution that strengthens and

The functionalist theory interprets all parts of society: the functional and dysfunctional. Although crime and deviance may seem to be dysfunctional to society, they are important aspects of society because they help to create social norms and social order. Crime and

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.