Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Should Prostitution Be Legal?

When one hears the word prostitution there are often many negative connotations associated with it. There are child prostitutes, STDs, and just a general image of crime and immorality. If prostitution were legalized many of these negative aspects could be eliminated or reduced. There are many pros and cons to prostitution but the benefits outweigh the potential negative aspects. With the legalization and regulation of prostitution sex workers could be tested regularly for STDs which would do a great deal to combat the spread of these diseases. If there was some type of licensing for prostitutes it would be easy to identify sex workers who are not free of STDs or those who are not of age. This would reduce the amount of underage children being trafficked across borders and forced into prostitution. It would also help combat the spread of STDs because sex workers who are not clean can have there license taken away. There are many dangers associated with prostitution but these dangers can be eliminated or greatly reduced through regulation. Prostitution would have to take place in a brothel or some other type of establishment and there will probably need to be some security present. This would help eliminate the violence that prostitutes are often the victims of. Use of condoms would have to be a requirement if prostitution were legalized and would have to be strictly enforced possibly by undercover police posing as "johns". Also instead of victims being illegally trafficked into other countries and taken advantage of they can legally migrate and reap the benefits of their own labor. This would do a great deal to end human trafficking since many victims of human trafficking are trafficked for the purpose of forced prostitution. Prostitution is not going to end so it should at least be regulated to reduce the dangers associated with it and help combat human trafficking.

2 comments:

  1. Interesting argument, Jackson. I wonder if you think a black market will emerge for all of the things you've made illegal here under the licensing plan. Perhaps there may be, but is it enough to undermine the plan? What do you think?

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  2. Although Jefferson's argument sounds somewhat reasonable, the legalization of the worlds oldest profession would be an incredibly difficult endeavor. I agree with Jefferson in that the legalization of prostitution would prevent the spread of STD's and perhaps take away the violence that accompanies the sex trade, but such a radical change would not be implemented easily nor be accepted by much of society. If examples of countries that have legalized prostitution and implemented the laws surrounding this subject correctly then perhaps some would be more inclined to consider this argument.

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