The Importance Of Prostitution

Shrage’s argument focuses on the view that prostitution oppresses all women and we should be morally opposed to it. Shrage’s argument concerns modern, contemporary prostitution. The central thesis to Shrage’s argument is the notion of cultural beliefs. Shrage defines cultural beliefs as what we as a society believe as a whole. Society interprets our actions and determine their moral status based on the majority’s beliefs. It does not matter if these beliefs are true or false because society will praise actions that they consider to be good and condemn those actions which they consider to be bad (Shrage, 1989, 351). Shrage argues that there are four cultural beliefs which cause prostitution to oppress women because it causes women to be labelled and asserts male social dominance. The first cultural belief she suggests is that society generally believe that human beings, particularly men, possess a strong sex drive. The second cultural

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

Feminists are concerned whether or not a prostitute controls her own sexual identity. Others believe prostitution is degrading, and sexual slavery towards woman while someone like Martha Nussbaum, believe its not threatening a woman anymore more than any other paid job. Where do you stand when it comes to prostitution? Personally I’m concerned with the moral factors and the harm it brings to women both physically and mentally. Throughout this paper I will examine the issues and questions which arise from Nussbaum’s paper, “Whether From Reason or Prejudice: Taking Money for Bodily Service” in order to help come to a conclusion on whether or not prostitution is something society should control through the use of the criminal law.

“The demand is the result of a simple biological appetite. When all other sources of gratification fail, due to defects of person or circumstance, prostitution can be relied upon to furnish relief” (Davis, 753). Prostitution in a latent sense saves marriages and allows men to fulfill their sexual desires. “Prostitution embraces an economic relation, and is naturally connected with the entire system of economic forces” (Davis, 749). One societal function that prostitution fills is a release for those who desire the prostitute (latent) and a source of income for the prostitute (manifest).

I believe that prostitution should not be legalized because it gives men power to dehumanize women, it can be dangerous to the prostitute and the one using the prostitute, and it hurts people financially. Prostitution is the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment.

The idea of prostitution engenders conflict of morality and constitutional rights and freedom. Many perceive the bartering of sex as a crime and some even view it as a form of sexual abuse (Klinger). Extremists have gone so far as to claim that prostitution is “indistinguishable” from sex trafficking. It is easy to see where the confusion stems from but prostitution and sex trafficking are two entirely different things. Prostitution is sex in return for compensation of some form while sex trafficking is the purchase, the sale and the transfer of a human for commercial sex and is often considered to be a modern day form of slavery (ProCon.org). The Prostitutes’ Education Network stated in its article “Prostitution Act of 1996”, that prostitution is merely a service like every other in which people are selling and exchanging their skills and talents for money.

One of the many inequalities we face today is misogyny. Over 80% of prostitutes are women ranging from 13 to 25 years old (Prostitution Statistics.) Women today already face discrimination in the workplace and interactionally, if we promote prostitution these misogynistic tendencies will continue to occur. This idea is also relevant in the treatment of male sex workers. Prostitutes are not treated as equals, they are treated as objects and disposable. Statistics show

As long as both parties give consent, the law should not prohibit something that does not pose any direct threats to society. They also contend that if the worry over prostitution is about patriarchy being enforced, then “patriarchal conditions of the control of resources should not ordinarily be fought by interfering with sexual activity between consenting adults, even when tainted by hegemonic institutions, because that is both an ineffective and an intrusive way to fight hegemony” (71). Issues involving patriarchy will not be indirectly solved through the abolition of prostitution. Being forced into prostitution is a different situation, but if someone is willing to sell to ready-to-pay customers, then it should be their decision, and they should not have to deal with fear of the

“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

Prostitution was made illegal with the Standard Vice Repression Act, which prohibited the buying, and selling of sexual acts. This has lead to a series of arguments that validates this act. First, prostitution increases the likelihood of spreading diseases. Multiple clients with nonexistent oversight is creating this hazard. Even with continuous testing, weekly or daily, tests are not always accurate. If someone does test positive, it is unlikely that individual will cease the illegal act, and continue to infect individuals. Repetitive testing can also be very expensive and timely. Many will choose to forgo this continuous cycle, and will continue to infect others. Prostitution is also leading to violent conditions for women. Prostitution reinforces the ideal that women are objects, and they can be bought. Rape and other violent crimes are increasing with this increasing notion of devaluing

According to Serughetti (2013), “In the last decades of the twentieth century, a major change has occurred in the public understanding of prostitution, with the focus shifting from the sex worker to the client.” On the social scientific side, studies on clients have growingly shed light on motivations and behaviors of men who buy sex. Prostitution involves the exchange of sexual services for economic compensation. Women Prostitution involved in prostitution constitute a high-risk group for contracting and transmitting STDs, including HIV.

After reading William Yarber’s discussion on prostitution in “Human Sexuality and Culture” I adopted new values toward prostitutes. After learning of the background of prostitutes I was shocked that they can separate sex from their intimate and romantic lives but I sympathize and relate to the emotional struggles that prostitutes experience at an early age such as having a negative outlook, feeling insecure, being economically disadvantaged, and not given adequate emotional support from their parents

Prostitution is sometimes referred to as the world’s oldest profession. It is a growing problem here in the United States and all over the world as well. Prostitution is a highly debated term, but the common everyday definition is the exchange of sexual services for compensations (usually money). So what is the history of prostitution, statistics, types of prostitution, and effects of prostitution?

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.