The legalization of prostitution has been a topic of debates and rebuttal around the globe, although several countries have legalized it. Prostitution is an act of agreeing to engage in sexual conduct for money. It is currently illegal in many countries as there is much hullabaloo surrounding the issue. There have been concerns about prostitution because of the health risks and ethical issues associated with this profession. However, some countries have gone ahead to legalize it while others are still opposed to its legalization.
Pros
First, prostitution should not be legalized because it is morally wrong and degrading. Moreover, it promotes promiscuity in the society. When prostitution is legalized, it will promote sex trafficking because; the sex workers will be free to do what they want. In addition, it will lead to child trafficking and even women trafficking in countries where it is legal even without their consent (Guillen, 2007). Prostitution should not be legalized because it is immoral and it can lead to child prostitution. In addition, prostitution is a violation of human rights because it is exploitative and demeaning for those indulging in the business.
Secondly, prostitution sends a bad message to the society when it is legalized. The people in the society will continue indulging in immoral sexual activities because they know prostitution is legalized and they will not be held accountable for their actions. When something is legalized, it is agreeing with the perpetrators by giving them permission to continue in immoral activities. Therefore, prostitution should remain illegal in order to instill good morals in the society, since it is an immoral act, and we should not support it in any way.
Prostitution should be criminalized because it exposes the sex workers to serious health problems. It is probable that, most prostitutes might end up contacting sexually transmitted diseases, for instance Syphilis, Herpes, Human Papilloma virus, Gonorrhea, and HIV/ AIDS (Farley, 2004).There are alarming cases of these STD’s in women and men who indulge in prostitution, therefore if criminalized, these cases will reduce and their health guaranteed. Additionally, women prostitutes experience high levels of violence for instance rape, torture, beatings, and terror. Women who practice prostitution are always subjected to all types of humiliations, whereby they are physically and sexually assaulted (Barry 1996). There are a number of reported cases on violence against prostitutes and if legalized, these cases will be on the rise.
Cons
Opponents argue that, prostitution should be legalized in order to protect the rights of the prostitutes. If it is legalized, it will help reduce violence against women prostitute because most prostitutes who are assaulted do not seek help from the police because the business is illegal. Most of the prostitutes are mishandled and even beaten up by the clients because they know the act is illegal and no action will be taken against them. Some prostitutes are always found dead after being killed by their clients and no action is taken because the profession is criminalized. Therefore, if it is legalized, the lives of these prostitutes could be saved. In addition, they add that, it will help make the profession less risky to both the employee (prostitute) as well as the client because there will be regulations. In addition, they argue that, an individual has a right to sell his/her body for sex and that right is violated when prostitution is not legalized. Moreover, it should be legalized for fundamental rights whereby, one might have a man/woman who is not doing well the way the partner wants and this can help instead of the man or woman getting sex from illegal prostitutes.
In addition, prostitution should be legalized because; it will help reduce sexually transmitted diseases. When prostitution is decriminalized, it will improve the health of the sex workers. This can be possible because, when legalized, the prostitutes will be able to undergo a thorough medical check up before being licensed for the profession and this will save more lives. In addition, illegal prostitutes are said to face pressure from street pimps to forgo condoms putting their health at risk, if it is legalized such cases can be eliminated because they will be protected.
Prostitution should be legalized because it could become a new industry of its own. By legalizing it, new jobs could sprout in the society and this could also generate some revenue to the government since it would be a legal business (Weitzer, 2011). Brothels do exist in our states despite the fact prostitution is illegal, but is legalized, these brothels will be forced to pay taxes to the state and it will be a gain to the state.
Finally, when men and women involve themselves in this profession, they are fully aware of what they are getting into because they are of age. They are ready to sell their bodies for sex and earn some money; therefore, prostitution should be decriminalized because it has its reason for being legal. On the other hand, it should be criminalized because, it will help spread immorality in the nation and some youths may end up not studying because it is a profession that does not any qualifications. Nonetheless, the topic of legalization of prostitution has become a contentious issue in many nations with everyone taking their side. The reasons should be weighed and a more reasonable solution offered for this issue. If prostitution has to be legalized, it is important for the state to employ strict rules in the profession so as to keep both the employee and the client safe. It is clear that prostitution is here to stay and therefore as much as it is criminalized does not help in solving the situation. It is a high time for the states to make a point of legalizing and regulating prostitution, even though a lot of people have ethical problems with it.
In conclusion, the legalization of prostitution is a controversial topic that has raised a number of debates around the globe. Those supporting and opposing it have their own reasons as to why they take their positions. Prostitution should not be legalized because; this will be a way of promoting promiscuity in the society. In addition, prostitution should not be legalized because; it will be sending a bad picture to the society. On the other hand, it should be legalized because it is a job like any other job and it can help generate revenues to the state. Moreover, prostitution should be legalized because it will keep the sex workers a healthy and their rights will be protected and violence against them reduced. Prostitution is c controversial topic that should be addressed in the best way possible by considering the arguments from both parties; the opponents and the proponents.
References
Weitzer, R. (2011). Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business. New York: New York University Press.
Barry, K. (1996). The Prostitution of Sexuality: The Global Exploitation of Women. New York: New York University Press.
Guillen, T. (2007). Serial Killers: Issues Explored Through the Green River Murders. New York: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Farley, M. (2004). ‘Bad for the Body, Bad for the Heart: Prostitution Harms Women Even if Legalised or Decriminalised. Violence Against Women, 10, 10, 1087-1125.
