Prostitution: Second-Wave Feminist Analysis

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Next time, it might be sensible to think twice before branding a prostitute as a no good, dirty tramp with little to no ethics. These thoughts were exactly what second-wave feminism, centered in the 1960s to 80s, aimed to disprove as they created many new changes in American culture, the perceptions surrounding the concept of female sexuality. Under the category of sexuality exists the practice or profession of engaging in intimate acts with an individual for reward, also recognized as prostitution. Though Feminists took great strides to enable women to assert their sexuality in a liberal fashion and without fear, many second-wave feminists still condemned prostitution as “sexual slavery”, since, according to Otchet (as cited in “Should Prostitution Be Legal”), many women's groups viewed prostitutes as victims, while others considered them sex workers with rights. In reality, prostitution supported Feminist views on the way women should be identified in society, because prostitutes could determine who they serviced, prostitution broke stereotypical characterizations, and, women could display their sexuality. …show more content…

As Klinger explains in her essay “Prostitution, Humanism, and a Woman’s Choice (Perspectives on Prostitution), Feminism has always campaigned for women to exercise the liberty of choice. So, in theory, prostitution is abiding to a major pillar of Feminism, since prostitutes are allowed the ability to accept or refuse a patron. Not only that, but prostitutes could choose their earnings, permitting them to further determine which direction their occupation can take. Prostitution is considered a profession, therefore making it a combination of sex and financial

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