Benefits of the Decriminalization and Legalization of Prostitution

849 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Pros and cons of criminalizing prostitution

The world’s oldest profession. Escort. Whore. Hooker. Wench. Streetwalker. Call girl. Courtesan. Hustler. Harlot. No matter what you call it, we all know it as prostitution, and it is typically accompanied by a negative attitude. Montgomery College professor Susan A. Milstein, however, argues that prostitution is merely another job, saying, “Imagine a woman who is engaging in a specific behavior for money. Is that prostitution, or is it a job?” If we take away our preconceived notion of prostitutes as streetwalkers or whores and look at them as employees attempting to make a living, they become normal people in our eyes. Prostitution is often looked down upon as disgraceful or “dehumanizing” because it pertains to sex, a topic that is quite touchy in modern day American culture (Milstein, 2009). Depending upon the media outlet, prostitution is often portrayed to be an either glamorous or a distasteful profession, but if we begin to look at prostitution as just that, a profession, we can also start to question the legality of it. The decriminalization and legalization of prostitution would bring financial stability, safety, and health benefits to the profession.
Financial Stability
Prostitution is “the exchange of sex for money or other payment such as drugs” (Hyde, 489). In this sense, prostitution is a business, or providing a service or product in exchange for payment. Prostitution is a billion dollar business, and not a penny goes to federal taxes or government-funded programs. If the United States were to decriminalize prostitution, the federal government would gain millions of dollars in taxes and licensing fees. Not only would legal prostitution benefit the federal government, but it would also stimulate the job market wit...

... middle of paper ...

... J.D. (2011) Understanding Human Sexuality. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies.
Justice Laws, (2013). Criminal code: Disorderly houses, gaming and betting. Retrieved from
Government of Canada website: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/page-109.htm
Milstein, S. A. (2009). Want a safer community? legalize prostitution. In McGraw-Hill Companies.
Sullivan, B. (2010). When (some) prostitution is legal: The impact of law reform on sex work in Australia. Journal of Law and Society, 37(1),
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs. (2004).The link between prostitution and sex trafficking. Retrieved from website: http://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/38790.htm
Wells, J., & Wason , J. (2013, Decem 27). Sex workers are victims. Retrieved from Wells, Jane, and John-Keith Wasson. "Sex Workers Are Victims." CNN Opinion. CNN, 27 Dec 2013. Web. 24 March 2014.

Show More
Related

  • Sex Work and the Law: A Critical Analysis of Four Policy Approaches to Adult Prostitution

    1505 Words  | 4 Pages

    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..

    Read More

  • A Case for the Legalization of Prostitution in the United States

    1568 Words  | 4 Pages

    “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.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Decriminalizing Prostitution in Canada

    1279 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 2007, three prostitutes, Terri-Jean Bedford, Amy Lebovitch, and Valerie Scott came to the Canadian government to challenge the current prostitution laws after pending charges were laid against them for illegal acts prostitution (Chez Stella, 2013). The Bedford Case has opened up a debate on whether prostitution should be decriminalized in Canada. Through my research, I offer a comparative analysis of four approaches to prostitution, which aid in illustrating the effects that decriminalization would have on prostitutes, and women as a whole. The four states that I have compared are Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Australia. These countries each hold different views and policies on prostitution. Canada is currently criminalized, the Netherlands is a state in which prostitution is legalized, Sweden advocates abolitionism, and in Australia, prostitution is decriminalized. Through careful analysis I have determined the effectiveness of each of the policies, and which system I believe would be best for Canada’s future. Based on this investigation, I advocate that Canada ought to adapt a similar approach to Australia, decriminalizing prostitution as a means for social, economic, and legal stability for women. It is through decriminalization that prostitutes will have the opportunity to be actively involved in the community, and no longer marginalized members of society.

    Read More

  • Prostitution in the United States and the World

    1236 Words  | 3 Pages

    Crowhurst, I., Outshoorn, J., & Skilbrei, M. (2012). Introduction: Prostitution Policies in Europe. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 9(3), 187-191. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/307/art%253A10.1007%252Fs13178-012-0100-7.pdf?auth66=1393548913_753f910350c7bb95ffab6b5eaa422617&ext=.pdf

    Read More

  • Legalizing Prostitution

    2503 Words  | 6 Pages

    Catherine Smith is a single 42 year old woman with two children. Her job as a secretary is no longer sufficient enough to cover her bills. She does not have a college degree and her job will not cover any part of tuition if she does decide to attend college. One night, while coming home late from work, she noticed women walking around on the street counting their earnings for the night. That is when she acquired the idea to become a prostitute. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines prostitution as the act or practice of engaging in promiscuous sexual relations in exchange for money. These type of situations occur on a daily basis. Some women really enjoy having sex, so why wouldn’t they want payment for it as well. Prostitution should be legalized in the United States.

    Read More

  • Legalizing Prostitution In Australia

    180 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Prostitution legalization structure in Australia is similar to the Netherlands. Responsibility for criminal legislation in Australia falls primarily on individual states, which have taken very different approaches towards the management and regulation of prostitution. This maximizes the effectiveness of the implementation of the law in different localities in such a way that it will be able to adjust on what would be favorable to

    Read More

  • Prostitution in the United States

    1027 Words  | 3 Pages

    Prostitution is illegal in the United States, except for some counties in Nevada. However, prostitution is in most part of the United States, despite the fact that it has been legalized. Prostitution is an act whereby, one sells his/her body for sex. In the United States, Prostitution is divided into three broad categories; street, escort, and brothel prostitution. Brothel prostitution takes place in brothel houses, which are houses where prostitutes can sell sexual services. This kind of prostitution is illegal in all parts of America, except in some counties in Nevada for example; Douglas County, Clark County, Carson City, Washoe County, and Lincoln County. Another form of prostitution is escort prostitution. This is always considered as entertainment, and massage services. It is supposed to be heavily regulated, but unfortunately, it is not because, in many counties where it is practiced, the only difference between escort and street prostitution is a phone call away. The last category of prostitution is street prostitution. This is the most unaccepted, and illegal type of prostitution in the United States. Street prostitution involves scantly dressed up women, and men roaming the streets looking for client to sell their bodies. It is the most frowned kind of prostitution because it is done openly. The question is should prostitution be legalized in the US? The answer is yes, this is because, it will help eliminate all the vices related to prostitution.

    Read More

  • Legalizing Prostitution

    1740 Words  | 4 Pages

    Prostitution has been a part of our world's culture since the beginning of time, and is the world's oldest profession. Prostitution is defined by the Webster dictionary as “the act or practice of engaging in promiscuous sexual relations especially for money.” If prostitution were legalized, there would a reduction in sex crimes, American citizens would have the freedom to choose any profession within the sex industry and it would provide economic benefits for the local and federal governments, as well as the population.

    Read More

  • History of Prostitution

    1287 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion, prostitution is said to be the world’s oldest profession. Prostitution has evolved throughout the years and it has caused much controversy cross-culturally and historically and which has many individuals reexamining the logistics of it. It has affected our society in many ways, for it could be looked at as a harmful threat just as a way to get by and pay the bills.

    Read More

  • Pros and Cons of the Legalization of Prostitution

    1628 Words  | 4 Pages

    ... middle of paper ... ... Legalized prostitution would pay: We could tax prostitution in the same way we tax hospitality, often higher than normal sales tax. It can’t be prevented: There’s a reason it’s called “the world’s oldest profession”. It’s always been around, it always will be.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Whether From Reason Or Prejudice By Martha Nussbaum

    1795 Words  | 4 Pages

    Prostitution is a topic that has been the subject of fierce debate and seemingly endless controversy. Martha Nussbaum addresses this topic in-depth and touches on many arguments against legalized prostitution in her article “’Whether from Reason or Prejudice’: Taking Money for Bodily Services.” One of Nussbaum’s main points in her article is to address one commonly used reason to justify the stigma placed on prostitutes – which is that they sell their bodies. Nussbaum points out that virtually everyone will sell their body for a living in one way or another, save for the few people with inherited wealth. Nussbaum’s principal motive in this article is to “investigate the question of sexual ‘commodification’” by discussing prostitution (412).

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Legalizing Prostitution

    1172 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Prostitution Argumentative Essay

    1255 Words  | 3 Pages

    Since prostitution has been around there have been labels and stigmas behind the workers, their morals and the job itself. Leaving these men and women to be rejected rights, health care, insurance, etc. Weitzer observes, “[i]nstead of viewing themselves as ‘prostituted,’ they may embrace more neutral work identities, such as ‘working women’ or ‘sex workers’ […] These workers are invisible in the discourse of the anti-prostitution crusade precisely because their accounts clash with abolitionist goals.” Weitzer is hinting at the fact that these women and men see themselves as workers too, deserving of workers rights and protection, just as you and I would expect. But they are declined help and benefits because of the stigma following their line of work, based on societal values.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Speech On Decriminalizing Prostitution

    1516 Words  | 4 Pages

    It is obvious is still in existence today, not only with advertising but that the sex industry has taken international dimensions and has become known and recognized as an economic driving factor in many countries. The topic’s surrounding and involving prostitution are controversial, countries around the world continue to debate the merits of decriminalizing or the legalization of prostitution. A. The Prostitution Education Network, has stated, “No person’s human or civil rights should be violated on the basis of their trade, occupation, work, calling or profession.” B. Attitudes of prostitution have continued to change and evolve several times to meet social standards.

    Read More

  • Disadvantages Of Prostitution

    1016 Words  | 3 Pages

    Prostitution; commonly called ‘The world’s oldest profession’ morally deprecated in virtually all societies. Prostitution has taken on many definitions as it relates to sex for hire. Some define it explicitly within social or legal terms and parameters; others define prostitution as “at most only a marginal type of vice.” Historically, the vast majority of definitions of prostitution have been sex-categorical or fixated on adult female prostitution. Today these definitions have expanded to include adolescent female prostitution, boy prostitution, adult male prostitution, homo-sexual prostitution, bisexual prostitution and even prostitution by phone and online services.

    Read More

More about Benefits of the Decriminalization and Legalization of Prostitution

Open Document