The question of legalizing prostitution is quite popular nowadays. In this paper the main arguments for and against this decision will be presented along with their analysis, which allows for making the corresponding conclusions.
First of all, I want to pay attention to the economic aspects of prostitution legalization. Legalizing prostitution would allow the state to control the shadow cash flow. It is thus proposed to give legal basis to brothels that would be legal entities and pay taxes (Weitzer 20). It is likely to implement some kind of license, account opening process and organization like the existence of a typical company. Looking at the realities of the modern business, it is possible to say that there could be corruption related to public servants who will help make it easier, for example, to get a license for this activity. It is also difficult to check the legal transactions in the company, how many clients actually make use of the services, as the area is really intimate.
Legalization would allow for making professional experience in commercial sex official. This is mainly reflected in privileges and retirement benefits. From one point of view, it is true that people in old age should not be left without money (Jeffreys 213). But then there is a question what the age at which a prostitute becomes incompetent is: 35? 40? Unionization is also unlikely to improve the situation with the quality of life and work of prostitutes. First, from whom such unions should be formed? Of pimps who are primarily interested in profit. Second, I find it hard to understand how an old prostitute can be left at work if there is no demand for her. And, of course, the entry in the work record "worked as a prostitute" is unlikely to add a woman chances for happy personal life or a high status in society.
Medical aspect: the doctors will monitor the prostitutes, who would have to have health record. Ideally, it is great. However, even the most modern methods of disease diagnosis do not provide 100% guarantee of identification of sexually transmitted diseases in the early stages.
The social aspect: if to go to a brothel would be as simple as going to a bar to drink beer, how many people will do it more often? Why not come here to have fun after work or after university. When there is acute problem of single-parent families, is it reasonable to simplify access to sex? This is a direct path to depreciation of intimate relationships. Is it good for a young man to start getting acquainted with this aspect of life in the company of a prostitute? How much trauma can be obtained?
All in all, in my opinion, instead of legalizing prostitution, and simply, instead of signing in to the authorities’ impotence to solve the problem, it is better to work in another direction. First, it is necessary to create new jobs. Second, psychological work is required with prostitutes (in fact for many it was not the work based on enforcement, but rather a combination of easy money combined and unstable moral principles). Third, criminal penalties for pimps should be introduced. At the same time, the prostitutes themselves should fall under psychological rehabilitation and social work (for example, nurses in the hospital or cleaners). Fourth, imposing penalty on clients and their subsequent psychological rehabilitation.
Works Cited
Jeffreys, Sheila. “Brothels without Walls”: the Escort Sector as a Problem for the Legalization of Prostitution.” Social Politics 17.2 (2010): 210-234. Print.
Weitzer, Ronald. “The Mythology of Prostitution: Advocacy Research and Public Policy.” Sexuality Research and Social Policy 7.1 (2010): 15-29. Print.
