A Case for the Legalization of Prostitution in the United States

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Recommended: The pros and cons of criminalization of prostitution

Prostitution

“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.

As prostitution is criminalized, this profession is driven underground which undermines the safety of prostitutes. Legalizing prostitution would provide sex workers with regulatory protection and allow this form of work to be recognized as legitimate. As the author of “Think Again: Prostitution” states, “evidence shows, that criminalization of sale or purchase (or both) makes sex workers-many of whom come from marginalized social groups like women, minorities, and the poor-more vulnerable to violence and discrimination committed by law enforcement. Also, criminalization can dissuade sex workers from seeking help from authorities if they are raped, trafficked, or otherwise abused.” Therefore, sex workers are subjected to unfair treatment that could be prevented if this work was legalized and safe conditions were enforced. The author of "Counterpoint: Prostitution Should Be Legalized” states, “prostitution is legalized and regulated in a variety of developed nations throughout ...

... middle of paper ...

...an attempt to designate sexual work as an immoral action

Works Cited

Ahmed, Aziza. "Think Again: Prostitution." Foreign Policy. Jan/Feb 2014: 74. SIRS Issues

Researcher. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.

Chittom, Lynn-noreBourassa, Cheryl. "Counterpoint: Prostitution Should Be Legalized." Points

Of View: Prostitution (2013): 3. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 20 May 2014.

Grant, Melissa Gira. "The War on Sex Workers." Reason. Feb. 2013: 31. SIRS Issues

Researcher. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.

"Legalizing Prostitution Doesn't Make It Safer." Washington Post. 24 Dec. 2013: n.p. SIRS

Issues Researcher. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.

ProQuest Staff. "At Issue: Prostitution." ProQuest LLC. 2014: n.pag. SIRS Issues Researcher.

Web. 03 Apr. 2014.

Sloan, Lacey. "Prostitution Should Be Decriminalized." Opposing View Points Resource Center.

Gale Group, 2000. Web. 6 May 2014.

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