Prostitution in the Us
Laura Friese
Comparative Government
Period 6
Prostitution in the US
Prostitution in the US is as old as the very country itself. After all, it is known as “The Worlds Oldest Profession.” In 1990, The National Task Force on Prostitution estimated there to be 23 full-time prostitutes for every 100,000 people in the US. A Taylor Nelson Sofres (market research company) poll showed that 15-20% of all men report to have paid for sex; that number doubles to 30% among single men over 30. The Prostitutes’ Education Network report that 1%, or about 1 million women, have worked as prostitutes in the US. The huge prostitution trade is estimated to garner about $14 billion a year (Havocscope Prostitution Market Breakdown). This industry is booming, and shows no signs of slowing down. Prostitution is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous professions in the world: the death rate for prostitutes is 204 out of every 100,000. (Greenspan) Additionally, the average prostitute gets physically attacked about once a month. The police are arresting about 70-80,000 prostitutes a year (costing tax payers $200 million), however there is still a widespread problem. Interestingly enough, prostitutes get caught far more often that their “johns” (those who pay for their services). The rate of arrests between the two is about 9 to 1: that is nine prostitutes are being arrested for every one “john.” The dangers of prostitution are only amplified by its prevalence in American culture. In order to combat the dangers involved in this industry, regulation, not criminalization, is the answer. The laws put in place have failed us in a big way, and if we want to mitigate the violence associated with prostitution, the government must intervene in a different way than it has thorough history.
In the 18th century, some woman followed the Continental Army, offering sexual services in order to keep troop morale high. In the 19th century, brothels and parlor houses were established, as well as
Comparative Government
Period 6
Prostitution in the US
Prostitution in the US is as old as the very country itself. After all, it is known as “The Worlds Oldest Profession.” In 1990, The National Task Force on Prostitution estimated there to be 23 full-time prostitutes for every 100,000 people in the US. A Taylor Nelson Sofres (market research company) poll showed that 15-20% of all men report to have paid for sex; that number doubles to 30% among single men over 30. The Prostitutes’ Education Network report that 1%, or about 1 million women, have worked as prostitutes in the US. The huge prostitution trade is estimated to garner about $14 billion a year (Havocscope Prostitution Market Breakdown). This industry is booming, and shows no signs of slowing down. Prostitution is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous professions in the world: the death rate for prostitutes is 204 out of every 100,000. (Greenspan) Additionally, the average prostitute gets physically attacked about once a month. The police are arresting about 70-80,000 prostitutes a year (costing tax payers $200 million), however there is still a widespread problem. Interestingly enough, prostitutes get caught far more often that their “johns” (those who pay for their services). The rate of arrests between the two is about 9 to 1: that is nine prostitutes are being arrested for every one “john.” The dangers of prostitution are only amplified by its prevalence in American culture. In order to combat the dangers involved in this industry, regulation, not criminalization, is the answer. The laws put in place have failed us in a big way, and if we want to mitigate the violence associated with prostitution, the government must intervene in a different way than it has thorough history.
In the 18th century, some woman followed the Continental Army, offering sexual services in order to keep troop morale high. In the 19th century, brothels and parlor houses were established, as well as
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