Legalized Prostitution?

[Nebulous]

http://www.debate.org/legalized-prostitution/

Prostitution is defined as the act of providing sexual services to a person in exchange for money, goods or other services. Worldwide, this practice produces over $100 billion in revenue annually. Prostitution practices vary greatly from country to country. Prostitution is legal in some countries; however, prostitution is considered so serious a crime that it is punishable by death in other countries. Currently, prostitution is illegal in the United States with the exception of a few small jurisdictions in Nevada. Some believe that legalizing this industry would bring many benefits, while others have identified many negatives of legalized prostitution.

Arguments in Favor of the Legalized Prostitution Debate

Proponents for the legalization of prostitution generally believe that, since prostitution is a harmless act, it should not, by definition, be considered a crime. Many believe that criminalizing prostitution only exacerbates the spread of diseases, and if the practice were legal, it would encourage cleaner working conditions and better STD testing for prostitutes. Those who support legalization also believe that there is nothing immoral about sex, and since it is freely dispensed, there is no harm in charging for it. Many also believe that criminalizing the industry only brings discrimination and poor working conditions for sex providers and purchasers. Current laws do not stop prostitutes from selling sex, but seems only to make them more prone to violent acts while working. Many also think that if women could legally participate on their own free will, the likelihood of underage prostitution and sex slaves would decrease.

Arguments Opposed to the Legalized Prostitution Debate

Proponents opposed to the legalized prostitution debate believe that prostitution is simply immoral and should be considered a crime. They also believe that legalizing prostitution would increase the spread of disease, stating that it takes several weeks to get the results from STD tests allowing an infected prostitute to continue infecting her clients. Many also believe that since most sex workers are female, the practice is demeaning to women and enhances the changes of rape and violence. Some go so far as defining prostitution as a type of rape, since it turns a woman into an object for a man's use. Others state that prostitution increases the involvement of sexual predators and the use of minors as sex slaves.

What are your views on this subject?

 

[+paradox]

don't guys pay for it anyways? (in relationships that is)

if it's not money then it's shoes, or jewelry, or clothes, purses or whatever a guy buys their girl...

but instead of paying for just sex, you're getting a relationship, with the possibility of love...

 

[TommyTooter]

we can't legislate morality. according to abraham lincoln and clearly borne out by our experience, it doesn't eliminate the demand and only invites criminals to take over the supply side.

legal prostitution impedes the sex slavers who are probably the single biggest criminal factor in the sex industry. too many women are forced into prostitution and life is too difficult for the independent call girl doing it of her own free will. regular STD testing helps prevent the spread of disease.

 

[Dee]

I don't see why it should be illegal in the first place. CHILD prostitution, yes, but between two consenting adults? No. Legalize it, require these prostitutes to get tested and leave it at that.

 

[DrLeftover]

Here you go:

100 Countries and Their Prostitution Policies

This page details 100 countries' policies on prostitution, brothel ownership, and pimping. These countries were chosen in order to be inclusive of major religions, geographical regions, and policies towards prostitution. Taiwan and Scotland were included in the country listings for China and the United Kingdom, respectively, in accordance with the country listings and population estimates provided in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook and the US State Department’s listing of independent states in the world.

Whenever possible, we have included government documents regarding prostitution such as laws, court decisions, employment information, etc. under the name of the country. While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data provided, do not rely on this information without first checking an official edition of the applicable law. This page was last updated Nov. 4, 2009.

http://prostitution.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000772