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Advantages and disadvantages of legalising prostitution
Advantages and disadvantages of legalising prostitution
Advantages and disadvantages of legalising prostitution
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The Debate on the Legalization of Prostitution: “Prostitute” vs. “Sex Worker”
CCJS 330: Contemporary Issues in Criminology
What is sex, or rather what should sex be? Is it a physical and emotional intimacy and private expression of love between two people? Should it only be allowed in marriage? Is it something casual that happens in every romantic relationship? Should it be private or publicly exposed in liberal societies? Should businesses and advertising companies such as clothing lines, the alcohol industry, fragrances and others use sex in order to help sell their product? As the saying goes, “sex sells.” But should sex sell? Should sex be sold? Or maybe the better question is, should selling sex be legal? That is the very question that has been most prominently debated since the 1970’s when selling sex became legalized within the state of Nevada; still the only state to have legalized prostitution in the U.S.. The goal throughout my research and discussion is not to state any ultimate solution to this debate or to the profession of prostitution itself. Neither is it to force any person(s) to accept any stance presented. Rather it is to give you, the reader, a greater understanding of the context that surrounds this issue, the motives that drive parties for or against its legalization and their tactics and solutions, and hopefully to allow you to make a more conscious decision of your own stance and to hopefully understand mine. Should prostitution be legalized? Are the people within this profession prostitutes or are they sex workers?
It’s your first year of college, studying the dream of your careers, and the best part is you’re at Duke University! Not only do you get to study your passion but you’ll receive a degree fr...
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Weitzer, Ronald. Legalization of Prostitution: From Illicit to Vice to . New York: NYU Press, 2011, Print.
Weitzer, Ronald. "Prostitution: Facts and Fiction." Gwu.edu. George Washington University, 2007. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.
Frances, S. (2012). Sex work and the law: A critical analysis of four policy approaches to adult prostitution . Thinking about justice: a book of readings (pp. 190-220). Halifax, N.S.: Fernwood Pub..
“There is no difference in work in which a women sells her hands, such as a typist, and a work in which a women sells her vagina, as in sex work.” Claims author Lacy Sloan. In today’s society, many people believe that prostitution is an immoral act. It is the world’s oldest profession and because it has been long condemned, sex workers are stigmatized from mainstream society (ProQuest Staff). However, the act of purchasing sex between consenting adults should not be prohibited by the government, but regulated for society's overall best interests. Prostitution is illegal and as a consequence prostitutes are often victims of violence and sexual assault; therefore, prostitution should be legalized and regulated to ensure the safety of sex workers.
Patty Kelly’s article, “Enough already, it’s time we decriminalize prostitution”, takes the reader into a fascinating behind the scene look into one of Mexico’s legalized brothels. Although it is apparent that her research and investigation into this social experiment are well defined, it is too narrow a focus to gather all the required information to support her argument. Kelly begins with a half hazard analysis of Elliot Spitzer infidelity, then continues down the path that is far too laser like to see the overall effect on these women; failing to see these prostitutes as real people with hearts and souls. Instead, she produces an impression that the prostitutes are just commodity, bought and sold on the open market, lacking feeling for their plight. In Kelly’s investigation, she neglects to create an entire picture of what decriminalizing prostitution will cost humanity due to the fact that her investigation ignores society’s accepted understanding of what problems are produced by, or result from prostitution. There was absolutely no research cited that relating to sexual addiction, the effects on the prostitutes’ emotional and physical wellbeing, or even the acknowledgment of the organized criminal element behind prostitution.
The argument for whether prostitution should become decriminalized or not is significant and has valid points for each side. Prostitution is the act of selling or practicing the sale of some form of sexual act. Over a stretch of time, many people and organizations have researched and decided their personal stance on whether the act should be permitted under the law or not. Legalizing this act is thought to bring less sex trafficking, increased public health, and more while the other side argues that the legalization would increase sexually transmitted diseases, increase violent assaults, and more. Sisyphe Raymond’s “Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution” and John Haltiwanger’s “Why Legalizing
Esselstyn, T. (1968). Prostitution in the United States. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 367, 123-135. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://ann.sagepub.com/content/376/1/123.full.pdf+html
Anastasia Volkonsky disagrees with the legalization of prostitution. She believes prostitution would not produce anything good for women and our society. Volkansky believes that prostitutes are accused either emotionally or physically. The author believes legalizing prostitution would not eliminate negative effects, or keep safe on public health. Prostitution is not a women’s choice, since women may not choose prostitution. Many prostitutes are HIV positive and have AIDS.
Barry, Kathleen. "Prostitution." Reader's Companion to U.S. Women's History. 480-482. US: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 1998. History Reference Center. Web. 21 Oct. 2013
Sanders, Teela, Maggie O’Neil, and Jane Pitcher. Prostitution: Sex Work, Policy, and Politics. London: SAGE, 2009. eBook Collection. Web. 17 Oct. 2015.
Weitzer, Ronald. 2012. Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business. New York City: New York University Press.
Receiving money to perform sexual actions has become either a lifestyle choice or a hostile option for the female prostitutes in the Netherlands, particularly in the city of Amsterdam. The participants involved in the legalized policy of prostitution are subjected to ambiguous impacts which involve social, political, health, and economic divisions. Since prostitution was legalized as of the year 2000, Amsterdam has seen a decline in criminal activity, allowing workers an increase in autonomy, and provides better labor conditions. (Cruz, & Iterson, 2013). ). The legalization of prostitution may have aided some of these women from escaping entrapment from pimps or has helped them into becoming independent women. An estimated 20,000 prostitutes are located in the Netherlands, 40% of the prostitutes that work in the city of Amsterdam occupy the 370 available windows, if not more, and clubs surrounding the red light district. (Cruz, & Iterson, 2013). The red light district in Amsterdam is a representation of the freedom that the city has to offer for the natives and tourists that explore their curiosity with experimental and recreational activities. However, while the surface may project a false sense of peacefulness, there is still a black market that condones itself to the trafficking of women and illicit revenues. (Vanderstok, 2010). Nonetheless there is an extensive possibility on the areas of research for issues of female prostitution in the Netherlands. The forefront for this research will be based on the types of female sex workers and the concern on the level of protection the sex workers are entitled to since the legalization of prostitution.
...escrewed: Pretty Woman's Co-opted Feminism." Journal of Popular Film and Television 195605th ser. 19.1 (1991): 1-8. EBSCO HOST. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.
Legalized Prostitution: A Compromise Between Amnesty International and Task Force on Human Trafficking and Prostitution
Nassif, Tony. “Should Prostitution be Legal”. Cedarsfoundation.org. Cedars cultural and educational foundation, n.d. Web. 27 November 2011.
Prostitution is the occupational service where sexual acts are exchanged for payment. Opinions of prostitution have changed drastically over the course of half a century, and are being debated worldwide. Prostitution is a very controversial topic, however there are claims that legalizing prostitution could create an overall safer environment, not only for the sex workers but the rest of society. There has been many alterations in prostitution laws and enforcement practices in several countries. Many nations have created new laws or intensified existing penalties for prostitution-related offences such as soliciting sex, purchasing sex, or pimping. Some other societies are experimenting with policies that securitize prostitution.The claims proposing these regulations are important because they are directly opposed to both the conventional benefits of prostitution and the specific allegations of anti-prostitution crusaders. In Canada and the UK, the exchange of sex for money is not illegal. However, the activities that go along with prostitution are criminal offences.“In March 2012, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a ban on establishments for the purposes of prostitution, which effectively makes street prostitution illegal. In the US, most jurisdictions, prostitution, solicitation, or agreeing to engage in an act of prostitution are classified as illegal. With the exception of licensed brothels in certain areas in Nevada. In the Netherlands,prostitution was legalized in the mid-1800s but it wasn’t until recently, the 1980s sex work became a legal profession. Restrictions on brothels and pimping were lifted in October 2000 and the industry is now securitized by labour law. Prostitutes are registered as legal workers....