Prostitution: Should It Be Legal?

The oldest occupation in history, prostitution is one of the only occupations in which those who practice it are not protected by law in many first world countries. That however, sets the stage for disaster; women can get beaten and raped but will not report it out of fear of getting arrested themselves. To protect prostitutes and their patrons, voluntary prostitution of those over the age of eighteen in inevitable and must be legalized.

Prostitution is highly controversial, many claiming that the legalization would lead to more prostitution, which would therefore be a larger disgrace to society. Furthermore, an essay written by Janice G. Raymond, titled “Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution.” This essay brings down ten legitimate reasons as to why prostitution should not be legalized, citing failed attempts in Australia and the Netherlands. The immoralities of these laws shine when, upon closer examination, the laws regard the prostitutes as mere sexual objects for profit to benefit the economy. However, as these faults are recognized, places like Amsterdam begin to alter their laws regarding prostitutions, making them more strict in an attempt to make prostitution safer. Still, organized and regulated legalized prostitution could lead to world reform in the sex trade.

Firstly, investigations on alleged prostitutes and their patrons have gone out of hand. In the case of Eliot Spitzer, the former governor of New York, the Federal Government began the investigation due to “unusual movements of cash involving the Governor of New York.” The money reached was in the thousands, spent by a man with a net worth of approximately $50 million. The Federal government quickly wormed out the larger infractions, such as drug dealing...

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...itution is legal, state law insists on monthly testing of sex workers, and prohibition of employment as a sex worker should they not meet those requirements. These requirements include monthly blood tests for human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) and syphilis, as well as tests to prove the absence of gonorrhea, and weekly tests for Chlamydia. The legalization of prostitution in first world countries would protect the patrons, not only the women.

In conclusion, prostitution should be legalized for the well being of all parties. Labor laws would protect prostitutes, money would be saved on pointless investigations, and the number of Sexually Transmitted Diseases could be potentially decreased. Legalized prostitution could be altered to protect women; laws have to be specific and strict. Prostitution is inevitable, and those who practice it are not criminals.