FREE ESSAY ON PROSTITUTION SHOULD BE LEGAL

PROSTITUTION SHOULD BE LEGAL

Prostitution Should be Legal
Referred to as the "oldest profession", prostitution ". . . has long been a problem which

has provoked and disturbed Americans" (Kinsie 3). "Prostitution [is] the performance of
sexual 
acts, solely for the purpose of material gain" (James [NA]). Prostitution remains,
excepted and 
considered normal in some cultures. No gender specifics exist for prostitutes , but
female 
prostitutes comprise the majority of prostitutes. A person male and married
characterizing the 
majority of prostitutes clients, commonly referred to as a "John". Surprisingly, but
true, US 
prostitutes work legally in some areas. "Prostitution is currently illegal in all 50
states" (Flowers 
8), with the exception of 12 rural counties in Nevada. A variety of different types of
prostitutes 
exist: streetwalkers, call girls, massage parlor/brothel/in house prostitutes, madams,
indentured 
sex slaves, escort service prostitutes, professional dominatrics, homeless, drug addicted
and part 
time prostitutes (Flowers 18, 19). In 1995, approximately 95,000 arrests were made (70% 
female prostitutes, 20% male prostitutes and 10% customers), mostly streetwalkers; a 
misdemeanor typically resulting in a fine, occasionally a 30-day jail term. More
importantly than 
numbers, what motivates one to choose a career of prostitution? Perhaps persuasion,
coercion, 
abuse, addiction or poor conditions/lifestyle and the financial lure. Legalizing
prostitution ensures 
regulation and taxation, allowing the police to deal with more violent crimes and reduce
the abuse 
of prostitutes by "Pimps".
There remain many reasons why one may favor the illegal status of prostitution. Some 
see the "profession" as exploitive to women, a ". . . form of sexual slavery" (Abraham
1). 
Feminists claim that prostitution reinforces the status that women represent objects,
undoing the 
prevails of women in the past. Yet still, many believe in neo-Victorism, a condescending
belief 
that prostitutes are unaware of their action and need someone with more education to
protect 
them (Abraham 1). Much of the public describes the profession of prostitution as dirty, 
immoral and degrading. For many, prostitution results in a destructive, abusive "career"
in which 
Pimps, those who "own" and distribute prostitutes for the benefit of financial gain, and
Johns 
abuse and violate women. Prostitution also greatly affects the community and the public.

Those who use prostitutes for their pleasure risk the contraction of diseases, thus
spreading with 
each new sexual partner, endangering the lives of many.
Although valid reasons justify why one would want to keep prostitution with an illegal 
status, the benefits far out way the negative aspects of prostitution. Legalizing the
profession 
increases the quality of lives for those who partake in prostitution as a career and
those who "use" 
the business they offer. Legalization of prostitution allows regulation, requiring
medical 
examination of prostitutes on a regular basis, helping to reduce the transfer of STDs and

communicable diseases. According to the US Department of Health, 3% to 5% of STDs in the

United States are linked to prostitutes (Prostitution in the US . . . [NA]). These
relatively small 
numbers results in a "domino effect". If someone contracts a disease during an interlude
with a 
prostitute, each sexual partner thereafter carries the potential risk of "contamination".
In 
addition, the health of prostitutes most likely increases. Early detection and treatment
of STDs, 
diseases or illnesses, and drug addiction constitute likely results of prostitution
legalization. 
These actions increase the likelihood of prostitutes' good health, resulting in a safer
environment 
for their clients as well. Exploitation from pimps eliminates with the legalization of
prostitution. 
Pimps usually take a large portion of the prostitutes profit, up to 50% and sometimes
more. This 
exploitation includes abuse, both physical and mental, often leading to murder. A legal
status of 
prostitution allows prostitutes to work for themselves, or in a safe, controlled
environment, such 
as a licensed brothel. 
Legalization allows for taxation of prostitution wages, like any other employment. 
Taxation of prostitution results in increased taxes collected by cities, counties and
states. By 
taxation, prostitutes enjoy the benefits of unemployment insurance, disability insurance
and social 
security, thus ensuring prostitutes the choice of continuing or discontinuing their
career in 
prostitution. Cities, counties and states profit by taxation and legalizing prostitution
results in a 
reduction of criminal prosecution costs. "Average arrest, court [and] incarceration costs
amount 
to nearly $2000 per arrest. Cities spend an average of $7.5 million on prostitution
control every 
year. Ranging from $1 million (Memphis) to $23 million (New York)" (Prostitution in the
US . 
. . [NA]). This extra money and time provides police more time to deal with and prosecute

violent crimes. The elimination of the prosecution of prostitutes saves time and money
for the 
justice system as well as freeing the courts to prosecute of crimes/criminals. Once
police officers 
and prostitutes join "the same side", the creation of a safer environment for prostitutes
results. 
Prostitutes recieve the rights of every other citizen, allowing them to ill behavior
without the 
threat of being arrested. Legalization of prostitution eliminates one of the violent
aspects of 
prostitution, the pimp. With the elimination of the Pimp, the prostitute looses the need
for 
exorbitant charges of his/her services. 
The benefits of legalizing prostitution outweigh the reasons for keeping it a criminal 
activity. Many lives improve as a result, creating a better working environment for 
prostitutes and clients, provide taxes and save cities, counties, and states money and
the 
elimination of exploitation by "pimps", comprise a few of the benefits The practice of 
prostitution, morally and ethically wrong to many people, remains a choice made by two 
consenting adults. Keeping prostitution illegal results in few benefits and prostitution
continues to 
thrive with all the negative aspects. Making prostitution legal increases the probability
of "safe" 
prostitution. Why continue to fight a losing battle that costs people in many ways.
Bibliography
Works Cited
Abraham, Yvonne and Sarah McNaught. "Prostitution 101". 27 Oct - 30 Oct 1997. The Boston

Phoenix. 29 Nov. 1999..
Flowers, R. Barri. "Defining Prostitutes and Prostitution". The Prostitution of Women and

Girls. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 1998
James, Jennifer. "Prostitution". Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000 : CD-ROM. 1993-1999
Microsoft Corp.
Kinsie, Paul and Charles Winick. "Views of Prostitution". The Lively Commerce -
Prostitution 
in the United States. Chicago: Quadrangle Books, Inc., 1971
"Prostitution in the United States - The Statistics". 1980-present. Prostitutes Education

Network. 23 Nov. 1999. .
Works Consulted
Abraham, Yvonne and Sarah McNaught. "Prostitution 101". 27 Oct - 30 Oct 1997. The Boston

Phoenix. 29 Nov. 1999..
Bastow, Karen. "Prostitution and HIV/AIDS". HIV/AIDS Policy and Law Newsletter. 1995 
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. 23 Nov. 1999. .
Barry, Kathleen. "Unmasking Social Oppression". Female Sexual Slavery. New York: New 
York University Press, 1979.
Flowers, R. Barri. "Defining Prostitutes and Prostitution". The Prostitution of Women and

Girls. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 1998
James, Jennifer. "Prostitution". Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000 : CD-ROM. 1993-1999
Microsoft Corp.
Kinsie, Paul and Charles Whick. "Views of Prostitution". The Lively Commerce -
Prostitution in 
the United States. Chicago: Quadrangle Books, Inc., 1971.
"Legalized Prostitution". 30 Nov 1999. 
"Prostitution in the United States - The Statistics". 1980-present. Prostitutes Education

Network. 23 Nov. 1999. .
Sheehy, Gail. "The New Breed". Hustling - Prostitution in Our Wide Open Society. New
York: 
Delecorte Press, 1971, 1972, 1973.