Should Prostitution Be Legal?

According to Slate Magazine’s article, “It’s Time for Legal Prostitution,” written by Reihan Salam, the world’s oldest profession is not going anywhere. In particular, Salam writes, “for those who believe that sex work should be illegal, it’s more important to protect society from sex workers—on the grounds that they spread moral turpitude—or to protect sex workers from their clients—on the grounds that those clients are dangerous.” In other words, Salam claims, those who oppose prostitution should consider the more important aspect, the safety of sex workers, especially since the majority of clients are violent towards prostitutes. According to The Daily Beast’s article, “Why It’s Time to Legalize Prostitution,” written by Cathy Reisenwitz, evidence proves legalization would protect sex workers, reduce violence, and reduce sex trafficking. Reisenwitz argues, “As with the drug trade, much of the violence associated with sex work is exacerbated by its illegality. Violent people are more likely to prey on sex workers, confident that they won’t be reported to police. This leaves workers dependent on pimps and madams for protection, which often leads to more violence. And then there’s abuse from police.” Further, “Some estimate that police actually abuse American sex workers more often than clients do.” Reisenwitz mentions the World Health Organization, along with a recent report, “Violence against sex workers is associated with inconsistent condom use or lack of condom use, and with increased risk of STI and HIV infection. Violence also prevents sex workers from accessing HIV information and services.” This reveals that the WHO recommends that countries decriminalize sex work, rather than legalize it. In other terms, the WHO suggests “criminals” be at fault rather than the prostitutes, especially since because the prostitutes are the victims themselves.

According to Donna M. Hughes’s article, “Legalizing Prostitution Will Not Stop The Harm,” “Prostitution is consuming thousands of girls and women and reaping enormous profits for organized crime in post-communist countries. In addition, each year, several hundred thousand women are trafficked from Eastern European countries for prostitution in sex industry centers all over the world. The practices are extremely oppressive and incompatible with universal standards of human rights. The sex trade is a form of contemporary slavery and all indications predict its growth and expansion into the 21st century.” Hughes further argues, “Women’s compliance to multiple unwanted sexual acts results in trauma to the mind and body. Survivors of prostitution often report that each act of prostitution felt like a rape. In order to endure the multiple invasions of the body women use drugs and alcohol to numb the assaults to their dignity and bodily integrity. Eventually, the woman’s physical and emotional health is destroyed.” Specifically, Hughes argues, prostitution should remain illegal and be banned for good because it negatively affects women’s health physically, mentally, and emotionally, which is why they turn to drugs and alcohol often. According to the Huffington Post Canada’s article, “Why I’m Against Legalizing Prostitution,” written by Andrea Mrozek, “Our poisonous drink includes the reality that there is little stigma around sex of any and all kinds–whether purchased or not. Our culture today believes that saving sex for the safer confines of marriage is laughable–as ridiculous as it is quaint. Add to this the pernicious and pervasive presence of pornography, lurking literally one click away in your living room.” Further, Mrozek argues, “Not enterprising entrepreneurs, that’s for sure. Not whole and happy women. The women, who prostitute themselves, as all but the most ideological know, are more likely to have been abused, sexually and physically. They are more likely to be addicted to drugs and alcohol.” In particular, Mrozek reveals the fact about the modern world, in which men and women, today, view saving sex until marriage as a joke, and that premarital sex, prostitution, and pornography are all the “culprits” to blame for. Further, and as mentioned previously, the line of work destroys women’s health physically, emotionally, and mentally, and that they are not savvy entrepreneurs due to their low-self esteem and “poor health.”

The proponents argue and reveal that legalizing prostitution will protect sex workers, reduce violence, and reduce sex trafficking. More importantly, it’ll also protect sex workers from violent clients, rape, and any sort of sexual abuse, including sexual assault. In particular, Reihan Salam revealed, “for those who believe that sex work should be illegal, it’s more important to protect society from sex workers—on the grounds that they spread moral turpitude—or to protect sex workers from their clients—on the grounds that those clients are dangerous,” meaning the safety of sex workers is what matters most, that it is up to women if they want to pursue this line of work, and that there should be no room to judge. In other words, it is not fair for women to be judged. The other proponent, Cathy Reisenwitz, argues, “As with the drug trade, much of the violence associated with sex work is exacerbated by its illegality. Violent people are more likely to prey on sex workers, confident that they won’t be reported to police. This leaves workers dependent on pimps and madams for protection, which often leads to more violence. And then there’s abuse from police.” However, she mentions the WHO because the organization recommends decriminalization rather than legalization. The WHO reveals and suggests “criminals” be at fault rather than the prostitutes, especially since because the prostitutes are the victims themselves, which, in turn, conveys the fact that legalization will protect sex workers, reduce violence, and reduce sex trafficking.

The opponents argue and reveal the reasons why prostitution should remain illegal, and that is because it negatively affects women’s health physically, mentally, and emotionally, the women’s “depression” leads to excessive use of drugs and alcohol, low self-esteem, and face the negativity surrounding the social stigma behind prostitution. These reasons reveal Donna M. Hughes’s argument, “Women’s compliance to multiple unwanted sexual acts results in trauma to the mind and body. Survivors of prostitution often report that each act of prostitution felt like a rape. In order to endure the multiple invasions of the body women use drugs and alcohol to numb the assaults to their dignity and bodily integrity. Eventually, the woman’s physical and emotional health is destroyed.” The other opponent, Andrea Mrozek, argues and reveals the fact about the modern world, in which men and women, today, view saving sex until marriage as a joke, and that premarital sex, prostitution, and pornography are all the “culprits” to blame for. And, Mrozek seems to reveal how prostitution is a cause of cheating and adultery, especially since married men and men in relationships want to be “hitting that.” Mrozek argues a key point though, “Our poisonous drink includes the reality that there is little stigma around sex of any and all kinds–whether purchased or not. Our culture today believes that saving sex for the safer confines of marriage is laughable–as ridiculous as it is quaint. Add to this the pernicious and pervasive presence of pornography, lurking literally one click away in your living room.” Specifically, the key point is…sex is everywhere!

In conclusion, I agree with Side B. On the other hand, though, I agree with one part in Side A, and that is that prostitutes should not be judged or blamed, especially if they are the victims because the majority of clients are, or can be violent and abusive. However, the reason I agree more with Side B because prostitution does negatively affect women’s health mentally, physically, and emotionally, the women’s “depression” leads to excessive use of drugs and alcohol, low self-esteem, and face the negativity surrounding the social stigma behind prostitution. This reveals how highly unfair that is for women because they are glorified as submissive sex objects. It also is not fair if clients get away with it, meaning if they attempt or commit violence, assault, and rape. Society may protect individuals from sex workers, but it is not doing an exceptional or decent job at protecting sex workers from criminals or disrespectful clients. That is something that should be addressed, so that these women do not go through life this like, especially since the negativities associated with prostitution is not what they deserve, and they, especially, do not deserve to be treated in this manner.

 

 

 

One thought on “Should Prostitution Be Legal?

  1. Two research articles included for Side A 3/5 pts
    Not sure if these are empirical sources. also, citation was not listed in a reference section

    Two research articles included for Side B 3/5 pts
    Not sure if these are empirical sources. also, citation was not listed in a reference section

    Summary of Side A and Side B 17/20 pts
    some of the summary repeated itself, which was a little confusing

    Who you agree with and why? 13/15 pts
    (Include strengths and weaknesses)
    include specific strengths and weaknesses of research

    APA Formatting/ Grammar/ Length 2/5 pts
    no references

    Total 38/50 total

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