[jadis]

Should prostitution remain illegal or should it be legalized?

I think that it should be legalized, and here is my rationale.

1) The act of sex isn't illegal in itself- it is only once money is exchanged that it becomes illegal. I don't think that the government should be in the business of legislating morality, and this is exactly what it is attempting to do. It is legal for people to be paid to have sex with one another on video, it is legal for a woman (or man) to pick up a relative stranger and have sex with them...it is even legal for people to pay to watch a woman on the internet have sex with herself. It is only when a man pays a woman to have sex with HIM that it becomes illegal (yes, there are male prostitutes, but there aren't nearly as many and aren't as heavily sought by law enforcement). The whole thing is highly illogical- which leads me to my next point.

2) The reason why this is illegal is for the government to have control over a woman's body and how she is able to make money. This was more true in past generations where most women had virtually no skills outside the home, and would be left destitute if their husbands left them or he died without any sort of nest egg. The sad reality is that a lot of women go to the sex trade b/c they don't have the skills to get a job where she is able to support herself and her family. The stereotype is that they are all drug abusers who hook to support their habit- which is an unfair generalization (one of my professors does a lot of work on this area). People always say that these women can get a job at McDonald's or another fast food joint- which will work for some women, but not all (considering there are things like childcare costs to consider). Also, many of these places are beginning to require a highschool diploma.

3) It being illegal actually puts more women in harm's way as it makes for a hostile environment for them to report a crime. Prostitution is often relegated to back alleys and secluded areas- which often makes them a target for crime. The police also don't take crimes against prostitutes seriously (a serial killer preyed on prostitutes in BC and it took YEARS for the police to decide to really start investigating it), and prostitutes are also hesitant to report crimes against them because they aren't taken seriously or the focus becomes on their actions. This makes them ripe to be taken advantage of by Pimps for their "protection"- who also abuse and take advantage of them financially. Legalization would work towards eliminating this as the government would then start taking these women seriously (ideally).

4) Public health. Legalization would also mean regulation- testing for STDs, promoting condom use, etc. There will ALWAYS be people who seek out sex for sale.....and there will always be people looking to sell. This would make it safer for BOTH parties, and for the general public (since the 'customers' often bring home these STDs to their regular partners).