The decriminalization of prostitution would be beneficial to society and would soften negative stereotypes and deviance. If prostitution is decriminalized more power would be granted to the sex workers, there would be health regulations, and tax benefits. However, there are also negatives to decriminalizing prostitution, like if regulations are set in place the workers will continue to do the acts that are banned. Prostitution should be decriminalized and regulated because workers won’t be coerced into work they don't want, and they will have control over their bodies. This will protect men and women from vicious pimps. Also, decriminalization would prevent sex workers from being dehumanized.
Giving power to the women selling their bodies is one of the main benefits of decriminalizing prostitution, because while working under a pimp or a john the ladies have no control of the acts they refuse or accept. If they’re being abused the women aren’t likely to call the police because the work they’re doing is illegal. Instead of punishing the women who are forced into prostitution the blame should be placed on the pimps who solicit the women and coerce young girls into working for them through scare tactics. Business Insider reports on a study done that shows just how risky it is to be a prostitute an author Erin Fuchs gives statistics that are devastating.
“A study of San Francisco prostitutes found that 82% had been assaulted and 68% had been raped while working as prostitutes. Another study of prostitutes in Colorado Springs found they were 18 times more likely to be murdered than non-prostitutes their age and race.”
Giving power to women who do sex work doesn’t mean any girl is able to work the streets regulations would prevent underage girls from selling themselves. Also, women can choose to carry condoms to protect their bodies without getting in trouble.
Along with newfound freedom prostitutes will be able to benefit from health regulations. Currently it can be illegal for a woman to carry condoms on her, because to the authorities that classifies her as a prostitute. However, states like California have passed a law that protects prostitutes from being arrested for the possession of condoms (Huffington Post).
The sex work industry has changed and is changing over the years, similar to controversial issues such as, gay rights and abortion. Hence, there will never be a ‘black and white’ solution due to the distinct views of what prostitution entails versus what the law intends to do about it. Decriminalization is the removal of criminal penalties from an act formerly defined as crime (Weitzer, 2012, P: 49). Prostitution should be decriminalized so the government can regulate public safety and the safety of sex workers. This paper will also, examine how the government can regulate the prostitution business and reinforce the feminist ideology. In effort to best present my arguments this paper will be divided into different paragraphs, whereby each paragraph presents a different argument of why
According to Jacqueline Barnhart in her book, “The Fair but Frail,” there is an increase of sex crimes in locations where prostitution was made legal. She also argues legalized prostitution promotes and contributes to
Violence against women is an issue of concern in the United States. The truth is that prostitution can never be stopped and participants – especially
Prostitution is a profession that has been around for centuries and has a majority of negative stigmas toward it. People of different genders and sexual practices have found jobs within this industry. They face problems within their line of work due to many areas having this profession marked as illegal. These legal restrictions breed further problems for sex workers ranging from health problems, work environment dangers, and tough economic situations. The idea of legalizing prostitution within the United States has been pitched as a solution to these problems. The negatives ranged from all prostitutes being drug addicts or that legalization of this profession would create many more problems than it would solve. Further examination of the claims for and against the legalization of prostitution nationwide show that the pros of legalization outweigh the cons. If legalized nationwide the sex industry would solve many problems for sex workers and others within the country.
First, some argue saying that the government should not be able to make laws against women and their uses of their bodies. For example, a debate was started online on Debate.org, arguing the legalization of prostitution. One man by the name of Nine Nathaniel 43, stated, “Prostitution should be legalized, so that willing women could make money. We waste money prosecuting men and women that are engaging in consensual sexual activity. They are not harming anyone. I also feel it would be safer for prostitutes. If prostitution were legal, then there wouldn't be a need for pimps, because women could market themselves, without fear of repercussions.” For this reason, I believe that prostitution would be much more dangerous for women involved in it. If pimps or traffickers were to realize that they no longer could earn money from a woman because she can go market herself, they will do their best to make sure she stays with him, involving more aggression and control from the trafficker. Along with this, some people make the statement that if prostitution were to be legalized in the United States, then rape and other crimes involving sex would decrease. For example, Kirby R. Cundiff, clearly stated that,” It is estimated that if prostitution were legalized in the United
To combat the problems associated with prostitution: trafficking, violence, and the objectification of women, two approaches are generally promoted. While advocates of prostitution as a form of employment suggest that legalization will improve these problems, policy makers tend to recommend penalties as a means to deter prostitution.
To better discuss the legalization of prostitution there’s a need to know its definition. Legalization of prostitution is where prostitution becomes controlled by the government and becomes legal under specific conditions. Legalization may include prostitution-specific controls chosen by the state, which could include licensing, registration, and mandatory regular health checks ups. Prostitution has been legalized in Netherlands, Germany, Iceland, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Greece, Turkey, Senegal, Nevada in the USA, and many Australian states (Mossman, 2007).
Thesis: The criminalization of prostitution does more harm than good when often women are left unprotected, both socially and legally, and therefore, the United States should make efforts to decriminalize and regulate prostitution instead.
Prostitution has been considered a criminal act for centuries throughout the world and it is also considered by some to be the world’s oldest profession, dating back to biblical time. The dictionary defines the term, “The act of having sex in exchange for money: the use of a skill or ability in a way that is not appropriate or respectable” (Merriam-Webster). This act became illegal in America in the early 20th century. Decriminalizing prostitution has its positives and negatives. If prostitution was to be made legal in America the positives would be tax revenue, less human trafficking, a work choice and fewer diseases. Negative outcomes to decriminalizing prostitution would be the issue that it is still morally wrong, abuses women, and human trafficking. In this paper I will first review the positives that decriminalizing prostitution could have in America and then the negatives effects from legalizing this crime in America. If American society were to get passed viewing prostitution in a negative light and legalize it, it could present some benefits for America
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
According to Seidenberg, “the selling and/or buying sex has been alternately illegal, regulated and forbidden, such as; the U.S federal law against prostitution was the Page Act of 1975” (Seidenberg). As well, prostitutes are ever seen for the ability to give good times by providing sexual services for money or gifts. To recap, prostitutes used to be women selling their bodies for money, but today there are men prostitutes selling their bodies too for many reasons. Not only money, but also drugs are a common currency for prostitutes. In addition, this service industry brings bad consequences to society in the United States, such as, economic, health and social issues.
With more than 80,000 arrests per year for soliciting sex, over two thousand deaths, and an estimated $14 billion spent a year on prostitution; it is time we address the issue and seek out a plan for the industry and question the stance America has on the profession and ask if our society is ready for the leap of acceptance to prostitutes, pimps, and johns, by legalizing prostitution or the steps taken to put an end to the industry.
Prostitution might seem like something out of left field and should always be frowned upon. Prostitution is the oldest profession and with regulation, prostitution is something that should really be considered. With recent research and studies done on prostitution, it has become something that people should consider an actual profession. Prostitution should be legalized because the overwhelming studies on the benefits of decriminalization, such as lower STD transmission and lower incarnation rate for a crime without a victim
Las Vegas is known for its thrilling nightlife, casinos and strip clubs so there isn’t much surprise that prostitution would be legal there. Barbara G. Brents professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has been conducting research on the brothels of the rural counties of Las Vegas for over 15 years. According to Barbara “In legal brothels, employees report that they feel safe, are free to come and go, and are bound only by their contract. Of the brothel workers, we surveyed, 84 percent said that their job felt safe. Workers report that they felt safe largely because the police, employers and co-workers were there to protect them.” Notice how Barbara said that the sex workers feel safe because of the police, employers and co-workers. Protected and safe is how everyone is supposed to feel, why are prostitutes left out from feeling safe? Some people like Dorn Checkley, Director of the Pittsburg Coalition Against Pornography, argue that it’s a moral issue, “prostitution as an institution is evil” . By focusing on the institution as a whole he overlooks the factors that take place in prostitution. The factor that makes the institution evil are the pimps. Dorn Checkley says that it is outrageous that legalizing prostitution is even being considered, but what I see as outrageous is how we can just look the other way from prostitution and continue to let these women be beaten
Prostitution, which is the act of engaging in sexual intercourse for money, has been part of human society since Biblical times. It had become a common part of our society because the women that choose to take part in prostitution are often on the brink of bankruptcy or already are and need a way to provide for themselves and/or their families. They have few to no laws in place to protect them. This leads to the question of whether prostitution should be legalized or whether it should be kept as a common, but illegal occurrence. There are many reasons it is better for prostitution to be legalized.