For centuries, women have been selling their bodies, in most cases prostitution, but it is not world’s oldest profession. Nevertheless, for as long as history states, prostitution has been around for as long as the oldest professions in the world. Every aspect of history asserts even the slightest things about prostitution existing. Prostitution has been a long-term profession through out several decades, whether it varies from being an adult star, escort, prostitute, a stripper etc… As long as they pay their rights as a civilian of the country (taxes and such), they should be allowed to do whatever they want with their body. In terms of legalization and morality issues (pertaining to religious reasons), it is the woman’s choice.
Throughout great civilizations of Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, through to the centuries of middle Ages, 16th century to present, Prostitution was always apart of history. Even during the 18th century BCE, the Code of Hammurabi shows provisions on the inheritance rights of prostitute. They were based on the same level of a “devoted woman” and a “sister of a god”. As written, “If a ‘devoted woman’ or a prostitute to whom her father has given a dowry and a deed…if a ‘sister of a god,’ or a prostitute, receive a gift from her father, and a deed…she may dispose of it as she pleases…then she may leave her property to whomsoever she pleases” (Code of Hammurabi). During the 6th century BCE Solon even set up government-supported brothels in urban areas, hiring inexpensive prostitutes that all men could hire. At that time there were even educated prostitute-entertainers – similar to modern-day porn stars. Throughout the Ancient Greek and Roman eras, prostitution remained legal. In the Middle Ages, year 1161...
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Prostitution has been as issue in many societies around the world for almost all of recorded history. There has been evidence of brothels and prostitution dating far back into human history. Many different societies have different views, ideals, and reservation about the matter. Some cultures around the world view it as a necessary evil for people who need to support themselves and their families. Others view it as morally evil and socially destructive; helping to rot our society from the inside out. Even still there are cultures who don’t view it as evil at all and even a normal part of life. A person’s view on the act is formed largely based on the culture they are living in. Even sub cultures inside of larger one can have different view on the matter, such as religious groups that denounce it, to some groups in the same culture that say it is okay. Even the gauge of how industrialized a country can determine how that culture views prostitution, with many third world countries being more lenient on the matter, and many first world countries being much more strict on the matter, such as the some of the countries in Europe and also the United States.
Modern sensibilities cause us to assume that brothels and prostitution were underground operations. However, there is evidence in Martial 7.61 that Emperor Caligula enforced a tax on prostitution, “which was pitched at a high rate and enforced with great vigour, in many places collected by the military” (McGinn, 18). Additionally, there seems to have been a relationship between politicians and places where sex may have been sold-- “the dice throwers ask for Cn. Helvius Sabinus” (CIL IV 3435). It has been suggested that in the Roman world, prostitution was seen almost as a necessary evil off of which money was to be made. In fact, one of the first recorded negative opinions was that of Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, in the third century CE, where he says, “...having entered the brothel, the location of the sewer and the slimy black hole of the rabble, he has befouled his own sanctified body, God’s temple, with hateful filth…” (Ep. 55.26 [CCSL 3.1.289]). This suggests, but does not by any means confirm, that the thought of prostitution as a terrible practice was not introduced until the Christian era, and was therefore not prevalent at
Prostitution is a subject whom many people today have vocal opinions about if it should be legalized and is it moral? Can you imagine how people felt about prostitutes in the 19th century? Today people think the worst possible things of a woman who prostitutes herself and a less rigid view of women’s sexuality exists now almost two centuries later than there was then. In 2011 men and women can have a different view of prostitution and distinctive ways to correct the problem. Men today as they did almost 200 years ago would like to see prostitution legalized and regulated. Women still see prostitution as they did a moral issue that needs reformed. The data suggests that few things have changed when it comes to the punishment and help for prostitution.
Prostitution is not a crime. Many women consider prostitution an easy alternative for a job. Allowing prostitution can make women warning as prostitutes feel confortable and go to the doctor often for checkups. Women should be able to do what they want with their bodies after all. They own their bodies. With the legalization of prostitution the rape cases would decrease.
To begin, prostitution is known as one of the oldest professions, and it dates as far back as 2400 BCE (Sexton and Cushman, Web). No one can pinpoint the origin, but is it really expected? Obviously, people have been sexually active for all of our existence. This is known because we are sitting here right now. Prostitution is treated differently everywhere in the world, and it continues to change as the times change. As more and more time passes, people become reluctant to the idea of prostitution, but back in the day they were all for it. For example, Greek literature references prostitutes continuously. One type of prostitute in the Greeks writings was called Hetaera which was an educated prostitute who was able to live dual lives. One life as a regular citizen and another as a prostitute, yet both of her lives were completely acceptable in these times. According to tradition brothels, places where prostitution was held, were “government-supported” and prostitution was an acceptable job in the the Greek era (Head, Web). In previous times sex was used as a form of payment and now sex is seen as a sign of affection.
Sanger, William W. ‘’The History of Prostitution’’. New York Times 23 Sept. 2008, New England ed.: D1. Print.
The perception most Romans had regarding prostitution seems to be incredibly contradictory. On one hand prostitution was seen a necessary part of society that was extremely valuable to the preservation of marriage (Laurence, 71). On the other hand Roman laws and social customs put prostitution at the bottom rung of society (Flemming, 56).
Prostitution dates back to as early as 2400 BC and has formed an interesting chapter in the history of civilization. Prostitution is known to be one of the oldest professions and roughly started all the way back to the 18th century in Mesopotamia. In Ancient Babylon and Sumer, one of the first ever forms of prostitution was sacred prostitution. This was where every woman, rich or poor, had to reach once in their lives the sanctuary of Mylitta (Aphrodite) and there submit themselves into the embraces of a foreigner as a symbolic sign of hospitality and respect towards the goddess. In the Ancient near east, sacred prostitution was a common thing for women to show their dedication to the deities. However, it all ended when Emperor Constantine abolished the custom, destroyed the goddess temples and replaced them for a church to teach Christianity. In Ancient Greece, Prostitution was something both women and men engaged in. The Greek word for prostitute is porne (Gr: πόρνη), derived from the verb pernemi (to sell). It was looked at more as a job rather than a sign of respect. Prostitution was something mostly women turned to when they were in dire financial need. Their activities would occur in places called a Lumpinar or Lumpinarium, which was a vaulted space or cellar. These brothels were described to be very dirty and due to the poor ventilated spaces, the smoke from the burning candles caused the smell to be very potent. Male prostitution was also very common in Ancient Greece, usually practiced in young boys. In Ancient Rome, prostitution was legal, public, and widespread. It played a role in several roman religious observances, usually in the month of April, where the love and fertility goddess presided. At the same...
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.
As a conclusion, I think prostitution could be tolerated but not culturally accepted. Every one has different perspectives about life and how we should act, but we should respect the way people think as we like others to respect the way each of us think.
Prostitution is one of the most controversial subjects in the United States. There are many pros and cons to this subject. Should prostitution be legalized? Or should it stay illegal with no chance of becoming decriminalized? Some researchers confirm that prostitution is indeed the most ancient profession, while others argue with it; however, everybody agrees that trading sex for money has existed for quite a while. Prostitution is still a part of modern society. The fact speaks for itself, as there will always be a demand for the services that it provides, prostitution will exist in some form no matter what.
According to ProCon.org, prostitution was a profession that dated back to 2400 B.C. Though many things since then have changed, the practice of selling sex has been more or less the same. What has changed is the way that people now view the practice. Throughout the years the debate has been whether prostitution should become legal or illegal. Organizations like Amnesty International want to push forward the idea of legalizing consensual “sex work” between two adults who are willingly participating because it would help keep those in that line of work safer than they are now. While on the other side of the issue there are
Many people are so quick to judge a person by their actions and life style, but don't know the history. It is one of the worlds oldest professions and still stands strong in our country today. Prostitution has been around since the Sumerian times dating all the way back to 2400 B.C. Prostitution was first introduced to America in the 16th century during the Colonial times when the British invaded America. During the 1700s, prostitutes started to invade the cities of Boston and New York. On July 5, 1870, The Board of Health gained power through an act called The Social Evil Ordinance that allows and "requires registration" for prostitutes to be ...
Prostitution is considered to be the oldest profession in the world. Many people support the idea of legalizing prostitution, while others do not. This controversial debate has been ongoing since the beginning of time. I desire to take a stand on the value of human worth, which is why I oppose the legalization of prostitution between consenting adults in our State.
Prostitution is known as the oldest profession in the world, however, many states in the U.S. outlaw it. The textbook definition of prostitution is the "act or practice of engaging in sexual acts for money" ("Prostitution," Macmillan 805). Nevada is the first in the United States to legalize prostitution. Although the long term effects of legalized prostitution is uncertain, the short term effects have been economically beneficial. Prostitution should be legalized because not only could it financially benefit the country, but it could also reduce crime.