prostitution

Prostitution is a controversial topic because some may argue that it is a lifestyle that people have the right to choose and others may be against it because of all of the dangers and social stigma associated with prostitution. An article by Teresa Carrasquillo named Understanding Prostitution And The Need For Reform gives a historical overview of prostitution, reasons why it is criminalized, and reasons why it should be decriminalized (Carrasquillo, 2014). Carrasquillo points out that despite efforts to deter women from becoming prostitutes, there is still a large incidence of prostitution and that many women have been caught multiple times by the authorities. Criminalization of prostitution prevents sex workers from reporting crimes against them in fear that they will be in trouble. Also, criminalization of prostitution is said to be an attack on women’s sexual autonomy, costs a lot of taxpayer’s money to keep a large number of prostitutes incarcerated, and lastly, if prostitution were to be decriminalized, perhaps there would be more control of the spread of STDs (Carrasquillo, 2014). One of the main reasons stated of why prostitution should be legal is because women’s lives would not be so jeopardized if there were a form of lawful protection on them against domestic violence and rape (Carrasquillo, 2014). While evident risks exist for sex workers, many of them are in that profession by their own free will. In Novak’s (2009) article, he states that criminalization of prostitution is a violation to our right to privacy. It makes sense that people should be able to conduct their sexual affairs privately and that there should be no penalty for prostitution between two consenting adults (Novak, 2009). He establishes that the Constitution lists “the right to privacy,” which one can infer that the right to sexual privacy is included (Novak, 2009). I think that Carrasquillo’s article gave a strong argument in favor of prostitution because it recognized multiple issues with the current form of prostitution criminalization.
Although decriminalization of prostitution seems to eradicate some issues, we should consider both sides and weigh out the pros and cons. An article by Farley (2009) states that women suffer from physical and psychological damage or abuse as a result of being a prostitute. They are degraded by society and as they start to lose their self-identity or autonomy, pimps begin to have complete control (Farley, 2009). Another claim is that prostitution promotes the dehumanization of women. Family values decrease and demand for sex-trafficking rises (Farley, 2009). Some prostitutes only consent to what they do because they have no other choice to support themselves. Raymond’s (2003) article outlines ten specific reasons why prostitution should not be legalized. One of them supports Farley’s claim that legalizing prostitution would promote sex trafficking and that that legalization expands the sex industry rather than control it. Pimps would be considered entrepreneurs and many women would be sold into the world of prostitution from poor countries (Raymond, 2003). It is also claimed that clandestine, illegal prostitution will increase, and that women are still not protected through the legalization of prostitution (Raymond, 2003).
I think that legalizing prostitution can have some positive results in that there could be more control over the safety of women to an extent but there would be many who do not follow the law and do what they want with the prostitution industry anyway. I think that the side that is against the legalization of prostitution has the best argument by saying that although decriminalization of prostitution may help with violence against women, it will not fully protect women and will not stop illegal activity. The argument of legalization of prostitution to defend sexual privacy is weak because it overlooks all of the problems that may be associated with abuse etc. In conclusion, prostitution should not be legalized but more harsher punishments should be made against pimps and sex traffickers instead of completely blaming the prostitute.

Carrasquillo, T. (2014). Understanding Prostitution And The Need For Reform. Touro Law Review, 30(3), 697-721.

Farley, M. (2003). Preface Prostitution, Trafficking and Traumatic Stress. Journal Of
Trauma Practice, 2(3/4), xvii-xxvii.

Novak, B. D. (2009). Freeing Jane: The Right to Privacy and The World’s Oldest Profession. National Lawyers Guild Review, 66(3), 137-164

Raymond, J. G. (2003). Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution and a Legal Response to the Demand for Prostitution. Journal Of Trauma Practice, 2(3/4), 315-332.

One thought on “prostitution

  1. Two research articles included for Side A 5/5 pts

    Two research articles included for Side B 5/5 pts

    Summary of Side A and Side B 20/20 pts

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

    APA Formatting/ Grammar/ Length 5/5 pts

    Total 48/50 total

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