Often times, when discussing different political issues, it's hard for us to confront the issue we're dealing with and try to solve it, rather than sinking down the slippery slope of just complaining. So here I am, bringing you my solution to Prostitution. We legalize it.
Seems like a rough decision and all, because there are of downsides to prostitution. Like, a lot. So many that listing them all would take... probably another blog post.
But there's a way that we could assure safety for both the sex workers and the clients. We legalize prostitution, but we mandate that it adhere to general business laws. This means things like fair, contractualized wages, commision cuts, health screenings, regular random drug testing. Obviously things like this are good for the workers, because they can earn a fair wage without too much of the top being skimmed off by their pimps. And if a pimp decided skim some off the top anyway, they could actually get arrested for Embezzling. Health screenings for both parties involved keeps clients and workers safe from anything that could be passed between them, and we would see a downturn in STD rates. When Rhode Island accidentally legalized prostitution, they experienced an 11% decrease in VD infection rates over the entire state, and these are the kinds of benefits we could reap if we followed this example, but this time on purpose. Health and Safety codes that the business of prostitution must adhere to rules involving protection of their workers and proper salaries as previously established by the United States. As new business owners, they must also ensure that their clients and workers are taken care of equally within the business and to the full parameters of the law. Regular random drug testing would work the same as it does in any other office building, and serve the same consequences.
Workers could theoretically put hooking on resumes, and be able to find more "Societally acceptable" work in the future. Of course, a downside to this would be that they could potentially not be hired because of previous work experience, but a clause could be added into this bill, or a separate clause added into Title 7. (Which dictates that you can't not hire someone or fire them based on Race, Religion, or Sexual Orientation.)
With this, and the addition of a retroactive release bill, thousands of people arrested on prostitution charges could be released from prison systems everywhere, no longer serving a sentence for something that is no longer a crime.
Another upside would be protection for the workers from the potentially violent clients. It would also keep them off the streets at night and in a clean environment, as businesses sort of have to have a location in the first place. Plus, can you imagine a brothel with an HR department? In addition to all of this, before tax exemptions, 35% of profits would be taxed, so that's another chunk out of the U.S' debt.
It's not a perfect solution or anything, but it is a step in the right direction. I mean, lower VD infection rates, safer work environments, liveable wages? Seems like it to me.
Yes. Just yes. Prostitution is the world's oldest occupation, and a few words on a fancy piece of paper has done little to nothing to detour prostitutes from their chosen career path and their customers paying for their service. Legalizing prostitution would cure so many problems that arise because of its illegaliy. Fundamentally, I believe prostitution should be legalized simply for the safety of prostitutes. These women, who more than likely are victims of their economic circumstance, become physical victims of abuse, violence, rape, and diseases. By legalizing prostitution, avoiding these terrible outputs of the profession on the men and women who work in the industry will become much easier and occur much less often. Naturally, prostitutes are put in a vulnerable place in society and career Naturally, the government should do what it can to to protect or assist the vulnerable people of its society. Therefore, the government should pass laws and regulations protecting these vulnerable women and serve justice to those who take advantage of them. On the other side, legalizing prostitution would benefit the government as well. By reducing the number of women incarcerated because of prostitution, the government could reallocate funds to help these women prostitute safely and without putting their physical health at risk. The government could as tax the service on the customer, using the same logic they had when taxing cigarettes (if people have to pay more, they will stop using it). I have been preaching the importance of legalizing prostitution to my friends and family for few years now (just as I have with marijuana, and lessening the degree of criminalization of victims of drug abuse), and they typically say that legalizing prostitution is morally wrong. But then I beg the question "so is it not morally wrong to let a woman's children starve in the street while she is incarcerated for doing a natural act for money?" Is it in your morals to let a woman who was (economically or physically) forced into such a degrading profession be taken advantage of by pimps and customers who only see her as something to benefit themselves? These women are people and employees too. They deserve the same rights and protections as Joe Schmo who goes to work everyday in the same white-collared shirt. The government has tried ending prostitution through law and regulations, and it's obviously not ending soon. It is time the the government and America society accept the fact that we will not defeat prostitution, and if you can't beat 'em, protect 'em.
ReplyDeleteProstitution as it exists in America is highly dangerous for the workers themselves. Those who work under pimps—who are basically agents—typically see very little of their own earnings, which creates a sort of glass ceiling. This disables a worker from getting ahead financially or making enough money to save up and get out of this line of work. Gifts such as fur coats, dresses, small apartments, or drugs keep the workers close by, and under the pimp's control. Not to mention, it is often a pimp who coerces a girl/woman into the job in the first place.
ReplyDeleteWhy do prostitutes need pimps? Workers without pimps often walk the streets alone, leaving them most vulnerable to muggings as well as rape and other violent crimes. A prostitute who has been the victim of a crime is unlikely to report it, given that she would have to reveal her own “crime” in the process. Oftentimes it is the pimp who arranges the meeting between a client or “john” and a prostitute and handles the collection of payment: if a customer refused to pay, the pimp would step in. If a prostitute is arrested, her pimp may be the one to bail her out of jail. Basically, pimps give prostitutes the protection that is currently being denied to them by society.
I feel that Miss McCubbin was pretty spot-on regarding the social benefits of legalizing prostitution. Furthermore, legalizing and regulating prostitution would cut down on unreported violence, coercion of young girls, and the oppressive and manipulative nature of pimps. All parties involved could potentially participate without the risk or fear of sexually transmitted infections and diseases. For those involved in sex work, their number one source of income has become a master status that will likely hold them back from legitimate employment opportunities in the future, as well as personal and social advancement.
Despite being “the world's oldest profession”, prostitution remains highly stigmatized and criminalized. It seems that what we have here is yet another example of American Puritanism, which is keeping us behind the times. As a moral issue, criminalizing sex work seems like the best way to pretend it is not happening. Prostitution is an issue that is swept under the rug, and lower-class workers are marginalized to the crappiest areas in the dirtiest cities—out of sight, out of mind. However, as many of our wealthiest and most powerful politicians and citizens know all too well, it is a very real and very dangerous profession that thousands and thousands of young girls are enticed to participate in. The best way to protect prostitutes and other sex workers is, most definitely, to quit denying their existence, legalize the practice, and regulate the hell out of it.
This post brought up a lot of important points about why prostitution should be legal. It’s really interesting to think about the reasons why it’s still so stigmatized in our culture. This is obviously due to our society’s views on the importance of morality when it comes to sexuality. If prostitution were to be legalized and regulated, it should be considered how that would affect the industry as it is today.
ReplyDeleteSince there are several avenues in which one can go about prostitution, legalization could affect it in different ways. For one, I think that street prostitution shouldn’t be and probably won’t ever be legal. This is usually the first kind that comes to people’s minds when they hear about prostitution. It is often a very violent and unsafe environment, specifically for women involved, and it would be very hard to actually regulate. However, brothels would be much easier to make sure certain regulations are put in place to set standards just like any other industry. There are already places in the United States, such as counties outside of Las Vegas, that allow prostitution in brothels. As mentioned in the blog post, these brothels put protections in place specifically for the workers, allowing them to work without worrying about being harmed by clients.
Another thing to consider is how the internet would affect regulations to prostitution. The internet has already caused legal controversy and opened up a whole new frontier, so it’s interesting to think about how it would affect prostitution. It’s obviously a popular avenue for prostitution, due to the widespread access and ability to self-employ. While it would be a better situation overall for prostitution to be legal, I think that the ripple effects would be least obvious in the industry of internet prostitution.
In general, it’s interesting to think about how legalization would affect the industry, if it would have much of an affect at all. Like many similar issues, prostitution will continue whether or not it’s legal. Because of this, it can be argued that it might as well be legalized so that we can better protect all parties involved. For opponents of legalization, it would allow them to have more of a say on how to regulate a practice them deem immoral. Considering all of the factors, I would definitely agree with you that it’s the best “solution”, and a step in the right direction.
I totally see the logic and important points your blog makes but is this the only way we can lower the number of STD's or VD? I feel like there could be another possible factor we could practice instead of legalizing prostitution. Should woman really have to sell their body to be able to make a living? Ever citizen should be able to have the chance to make a living and live a good life. Especially street prostitution should not ever be legal at all. This is a very unsafe environment and very violent, if prostitution could be legal then it should be in happening in a building away from the population. So like I believe it shouldn't be around schools or any public services. It should be happening away and done in privacy. Although another concern I have about legalizing it is that it won't grantee stop illegal prostitution (street prostitution) 100% if not at all. So why legalize it?
ReplyDeleteSome peoples concern or reason they disagree about legalizing it is that it isn't morally right, such as legal use of marijuana. However as we have seen the legal use of marijuana has increase money and sales in Colorado. Therefore one might argue that it would be good for our county's economy and open new job opportunities. I will end of this, I feel like your blog is heading in the right direction but not the best solution to lower the number rate of STD's or VD.