Essay on Legalizing Prostitution

Submitted By vreddish1
Words: 1025
Pages: 5
Open Document
“What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist” is a quote by Salman Rushdie which means that everyone will not always agree or approve of what decisions one makes, but in order for freedom to exist, personal opinions must be viewed as irrelevant. Because prostitution is labeled as a crime due to its deplorable conduct and not because prostitution itself is a harmful act, this quote is applicable when discussing this issue. Why are prostitution laws enforced in the United States? When taking a closer look into prostitution, one would see that incarcerating these individuals for taking part in this act is ambivalent and absurd. Although prostitution is inherently immoral, it should be legalized because it is a victimless crime. If prostitution was legalized, it would first promote a safer environment. One way prostitution can promote a safer environment is by reducing crime. Because of laws against prostitution, prostitutes are forced to work on the streets. Driving prostitution underground, only puts the prostitutes at risk to experience violence and harassment. "It is estimated that if prostitution were legalized in the United States, the rape rate would decrease by roughly 25% for a decrease of approximately 25,000 rapes per year...” (Cundiff). By prostitution becoming more readily available, the amount of rape would begin to falter because the sexual desires of the customers would be fulfilled. Another way legalizing prostitution can help promote a safer environment is by offering prostitutes better healthcare. Because prostitution is illegal, many prostitutes fail to seek medical attention. These prostitutes are fearful of being arrested and don not feel safe accepting the help. By not receiving medical help, prostitutes are more likely to catch and spread many viruses and infections. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and HIV/AIDS are just a few sexually transmitted diseases and viruses that prostitutes are exposed to (Weitzer 72). Protection from exploitation is the last way to promote a safer environment. Prostitution has been known for being violent. The customers and “pimps” often try to dominate the prostitute, usually to make them fearful and more submissive. By legalizing prostitution, it would put the prostitutes at power over their customers and give them more authority. It would reduce the amount of harassment and give the prostitutes more control of their body. Legalizing prostitution would also help contribute to the economy of our country. One way legalization could help boost the economy is by increasing the tax revenues. By legalizing prostitution, it is therefore creating more jobs which then leads to an increase in the amount of taxpayers. The country will gain tax revenue that otherwise would have been lost. The country would also save money by decreasing the use of taxpayer’s money on police manpower and defense attorneys, and instead use the revenue to create jobs and other ways to promote the economy. Decreasing poverty is another way legalizing prostitution would help boost the country's economy. In most cases, prostitutes are not in charge of their earnings and usually have to answer to an authoritative figure. These individuals who are in control of these prostitutes will usually keep most of the earnings and leave the prostitutes with little to no money. Because of this unfair treatment, many prostitutes live in poor conditions and living environments. With the legalization of prostitution, prostitutes can have the ability to sue and a chance to receive fair treatment. Lastly, prostitution should be legalized to allow adults the right to make their own decisions with the use of their bodies. By doing so, it will first reduce the number of victims associated with prostitution. Because prostitution is such a secretive act, prostitutes are taken advantage of and usually abused. If prostitution became more open, the violence would be reduced due to it's
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Legalizing Prostitution

Legalizing Prostitution

Prostitution remains one of the leading social problems in the world. It encourages many other vices that among them include human trafficking and sexual harassment. Because of this, many countries have made it illegal. This means that its participants risk being arrested and charged for engaging in an outlawed activity. However, most countries that illegalize this practice do not make the effort to understand its root cause. Most people engage in prostitution to offer them financial respite. Hence…

Words 844 - Pages 4

Legalizing Prostitution

Reasons for not Legalizing Prostitution After reading Janice G. Raymond’s “Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution” it was easy for the reader to see that the author took a one-sided view of Legalized Prostitution. The author failed to recognize that the demand for sex is not just an economical or moral issue, but it is instinctual as well as hormonal. The instinctual demand for sex and procreation is as great as the demand for food and water and some members of or species have an uncontrollable…

Words 571 - Pages 3

Legalizing Prostitution

victims, and most of them are children? Prostitution is a dangerous business to get into, and legalizing this crime would not do any good. Even if one men out of ten has paid for sex during their life, we should not make prostitution legal. Firstly, making it legal simply does not work. In Germany, the human trafficking industry is still very alive, selling girls from Europe and Africa into sex slavery. It does not become safer for anyone. Legalizing prostitution actually encourages corruption, drugs…

Words 360 - Pages 2

Legalizing Prostitution

Effects of Legalizing Prostitution According to EqualityNow.org, “At least 20.9 million adults and children are bought and sold worldwide into commercial sexual servitude, forced labor and bonded labor.” This number is partially due to the fact that some countries have legalized prostitution, opening the floodgates for sex trafficking. If prostitution would be legalized here in the US, many negative effects would be produced. Although many arguments support the legalization of prostitution, it still…

Words 682 - Pages 3

Legalizing Prostitution In America

tackling is on the controversial topic of legalizing prostitution in America. Also, how it will affect the American economy and society if it is legalized. If you don’t know prostitution is the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for financial gain. Prostitution is currently illegal in the United States of America which I find to be stupid because why wouldn’t you want to gain a financial boost from the taxation of prostitution instead sending the offenders to jail and…

Words 362 - Pages 2

Legalizing Prostitution In America

Protection for Prostitute Prostitution is a word that comes with a bad connotation. When someone hears this word, he or she thinks of a dirty woman selling herself on the street corner. When someone thinks about prostitution, he or she passes judgment on the men and women who participate. However, they do not think about the danger that prostitutes, particularly women prostitutes, considering 80% of them are women, might face. Prostitution is illegal in almost every state America, and this means…

Words 940 - Pages 4

Summary: Legalizing Prostitution

4-What policies has the government implemented in relation to prostitution? Power relation Since the government of Nevada legalized prostitution in some counties, different laws and policies have been implemented. There have been broad debates regarding prostitution in Nevada, and what is the righteous way to deal with the issues and conflicts as an outcome of that. As mentioned earlier some counties in Nevada have already legalized prostitution regardless of many arguments referring to it as unethical…

Words 667 - Pages 3

Legalizing Prostitution Essay

Should Prostitution be Legalized? The Merriam-Webster dictionary states that prostitution is the act of having sex in exchange for money. Prostitution is only legal in the state of Nevada but only in 8 out of the 16 of it’s counties. Everywhere else in the United States prostitution is illegal. Now the question is should prostitution be legalized throughout the United States? Yes, I believe that prostitution most definitely should be legalized. People, including myself consider prostitution a victimless…

Words 1410 - Pages 6

Legalizing Prostitution Research Paper

Prostitution is one of the most controversial matters in the United States. Should prostitution be allowed? Or should it stay banned with no intention of becoming decriminalized or legal? Some researchers have confirmed prostitution is undeniably the oldest profession going back to ancient times, but other’s will dispute that it is not, yet everybody agrees paying for sexual favors has been around for a very long time. There will forever be a demand for the services that it offers, prostitution will…

Words 428 - Pages 2

Weekly Reflection Essay

Ethnics Weekly Reflection 10/20/15 Should prostitution be legalized? Many worldwide views of same sex marriages, abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and prostitution have all changes in the last few century ago. It is because society realizes that each individual has a right to choose his or her lifestyle in a democratic world. The controversy surrounding legalization of prostitution, and the support to stand against prostitution legalization. Prostitution is a commercial sex, where individuals…

Words 397 - Pages 2