The Role Of Prostitution In The United States

Sex trafficking, particularly that of children, has become a growing concern in the United States over the past several decades (Kotrla, 2010). By definition, child sex trafficking is “when a child (under 18 years of age) is induced to perform a commercial sex act” (U.S., 2013, para. 4), and includes forms such as prostitution and pornography (Kotrla, 2010). Researchers suggest that children are the most vulnerable to becoming victims of prostitution (Kotrla), and it is estimated that there are at least 100,000 victims in the United States (Estes & Weiner, 2001). Sex traffickers, otherwise known as “pimps,” often lure children with promises of food, clothing, love, and shelter, and then the pimps manipulate the children to keep them in prostitution (U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ], 2015). Awareness of the issue has led to the development of organizations, such as Children of the Night, that seek to help victims escape the sex trafficking industry (Children of the Night [COTN], 2016d).

It is rather odd to think that prostitution, which is considered to be the world’s oldest profession, would be illegal and harmful in nature. The issue of legalizing prostitution has entered public conversation around the world, which is severely divided. Many, like myself, consider prostitution to be a victimless crime. Despite such opposition to legalizing prostitution, many argue that legalizing it would result in decreased morality issues, increase the economic activity in the United States, and help decrease the number of sexually transmitted diseases among both prostitutes and those who patronize them,

This article by Cheryl Butler applies Critical Race Feminism to the issues of prostitution and sex trafficking in the United States. In doing so, Butler explores the debate on prostitution and sex trafficking through an intersectional lens, and thus acknowledges the role that race and class play in prostitution in America. She fully considers prostitution from a critical race perspective, i.e., one that considers how race and gender intersect with other systems of oppression together to marginalize people of color in America. She proposes policy changes that may help address prostitution from a position of intersectionality.

Sex trafficking is a problem that sweeps across the nation. The number of children and teens on the street makes them more at risk of being taken into human sex trafficking. According to the Covenant House Institute, more than two million kids in America will face a period of homelessness. As many as 20,000 kids are forced into prostitution by the human trafficking networks every year in the United States

In the news report “Human Trafficking”, author Olivia Neeley, a correspondent for the Tribune Business News, explains the procedure of luring a young individual into human trafficking, and gaining control of the modern-day slaves. The author explains that the traffickers, also called pimps, exchange basic needs in order to make the victim work for them; once they successfully subdue the victim, they use drugs and debts to control them. Human trafficking is much more common than we think; this crime can take place in just an average neighborhood, as when Neeley states, “Traffickers love rural areas” (Neeley). This article is helpful to the topic because it demonstrates how the trafficker persuade victims into this industry without using force,

Prostitution is one of the world 's oldest professions.Even though that it may increase sex trafficking, prostitution should be legalised in the United States because it would decrease violence and It would boost the economy. Men and women around the world are free to chose prostitution as their own profession, yet not in the US. Only one state has legalized prostitution and some want it made illegal there this would be a mistake as it would exacerbate the problems caused by it not being legal.

According to dosomething.org, there are approximately twenty to thirty million people that are stuck in human trafficking. In addition, according to the United Nations, there is about 32 billion dollars in human trafficking.  Also in the United States, according to the Human Trafficking Center, there is a net worth of 2.5 billion dollars by sexual exploitation or forced labor. In continuation, about 21.5 percent of trafficking is sexual exploitation, 67.9 percent is forced labour, and 10.5 percent is state imposed forced labour.

“A pimp is a person who controls and financially benefits from the commercial sexual exploitation of another” (A Glossary of Sex Trafficking Terms”). Pimps know how to manipulate their victims and cause immense terror to the point where they are too afraid to escape or find help. “Pimps use physical, emotional and psychological abuse to coerce young women and girls into a life of sex trafficking. Many suffer severe emotional trauma, including symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and dissociation” (“What is Sex Trafficking?”). The majority of these pimps use the lover boy technique to recruit women and girls. (“What is Sex Trafficking?”). “They promise fulfilled dreams, protection, adventure and after securing her love and loyalty, he will force her into prostitution” (“What is Sex Trafficking?”). In addition to all the emotional and physical abuse victims endure, “they are at greater risk of contracting sexually transmissible infections, including HIV/AIDS” (What is Sex Trafficking.) Many become pregnant and are forced to undergo often unsafe abortions” (“What is Sex

My group is doing the topic of legalizing prostitution. Throughout the course we talked briefly about prostitution, but it was clear that prostitution is not something that our elders would like us the new era to be ok with. In class we talked discussed how the slippery slope of morality. This is when you say yes to things that are not fully ok however they aren't too bad either this is where the slope begins. Then when you face other bad decisions you also say yes this is where it all starts going downhill, you lose sight of the bad that you are agreeing to. Next thing you know you have no problem saying yes to decisions you know are bad. When applying the slippery slope to legalizing prostitution you see that it is not a good idea to do it.

The invasive nature of this issue is an important element of the personal freedom debate and the enforcement of these laws can be downright absurd. For instance, Portland police officials investigated a local woman, Samantha Hess, who made national headlines due to her unique profession. She’s a professional “snuggler.” Yes, for $60 an hour, people pay to just cuddle with her. And the demand for her business is so strong that she is considering adding a staff of cuddlers. In the end, the Portland Police allowed her to remain in business. However, a different woman tried to set up a duplicate business model in Madison, WI, “Snuggle House,” but the city blocked her from ever plying her trade. Shouldn’t we just allow these people to pay for

Prostitution, is an old occupation, where women are employed in selling sex for money. Money, can be a key component and motivator to why women become prostitutes. Most of the prostitutes come from low-income backgrounds. Prostitution is a well-paying occupation for women. Prostitution provides increasing income for all prostitutes varying from one another. Many places in United States, except Nevada, banned prostitution. In the late 1800s, women solicited sex from men for money to earn profits, which has proceeded over the years. Lower-class prostitutes look to sell sex for money to supplement their income. Some start at a young age to come up with ways to pay for books and tuitions, without realizing the consequences or danger involved. Prostitution is illegal and most are not eager to be studied.

Prostitution occurs in the earliest list of professions and can be dated all the way to 2400 BC with Cult of Ishtar in Sumeria. In 1158, the Holy Roman Empire punished any prostitutes by having their nose cut off an attempt to make them look attractive or soldiers caught in the act had a finger cut off or an eye removed. But, laws against prostitution in America are fairly new and just about 100 years old. Women in 1721, who were shipped to America to become wives with free men said that prostitution provided them more independence than arranged marriages to settlers. On February 24, 1911, The US Supreme Court in Hoke v. United States held that regulating prostitution was strictly the province of the states but that Congress could regulate

In order to understand the victimization of child prostitutes, it is necessary to look at the process in which they are usually recruited. The first step in the pimp’s victimization of young females is referred to as “romancing”. Usually pimps target girls that possess a low self-esteem and, as previously stated, are already victims of abuse. Often traffickers will present as wealthy business men doting on the girls with gifts, verbal affirmation, and offering opportunities for fame and money. Once the pimp has gained his victim’s trust, he begins to exploit her. The next step is called “seasoning.” In this stage, the perpetrator begins to condition his victim by breaking down her resistance through methods such as threats, torture, rape, starvation, blackmail, humiliation, branding, and forced drug use. During this stage, victims undergo extreme psychological manipulation.

The society’s thinking was not as advanced, and more male dominated. Men were less accountable for their actions. A historian could conclude there was a presence of inequality among both genders, and the effect of education on people’s choices. Also, one could suggest that education on sex trafficking was not enforced, nor important among certain classes of people in Paris. This is reinforced when the author states “Many complaints were made to the police office and by persons of education and remarkable sentiment.”

Sex trafficking does not just mean across country boarders; it entails street prostitution as well. Street prostitution becomes trafficking when a pimp uses fraud, force, or coercion to preserve control over the person providing profitable sexual services and instigate the person to engage in sex acts. An estimated 293,000 American youths currently are at risk of becoming victims of sexual exploitation. The majority of these victims are runaway children who live on the streets. Most of the women described their path into the sex trade as a boyfriend transforming into a pimp. These