Why Prostitution Should Remain Illegal in the United States
Aah’Donai Wright
Mr. Manser
English 9E: Research Paper
20 April 2012
Why Prostitution Should Remain Illegal in the United States
Prostitution is said to be “the world’s oldest profession” (Ramchandran par. 1). The Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines prostitution as “the act or practice of engaging in promiscuous sexual relations especially for money” (“Prostitution” par. 1). Many people argue that prostitution should be legalized, but it hurts people more than it helps. Legalization of prostitution condones sexual behavior for profit. Not to mention, the increased risk of illness or infection via sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), or death. It also does not “enhance women’s choices” (Raymond par. 45). This means that whether legalized or not, prostitutes are going to continue their activities for the simple fact that they feel they have no other choice. Lastly, prostitution and the sex industry promote sex trafficking, more specifically human trafficking. For these aforementioned reasons prostitution should remain illegal.
Many social ills related to this illegal profession involve activities that lead to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and infections (Rich par. 6). Some of these are fatal including syphilis, gonorrhea, and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (Harry par. 7). Inevitably, more agents (sellers and buyers) would enter the market, and many would neglect to use protection therefore increasing the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (Harry par. 7). The fact that prostitutes consummate with numerous partners does not help prevent these sexually transmitted diseases (Rich par. 6). Even condoms do not provide one hundred percent protection (Rich par. 6). The more sexual partners an individual possess, the higher the probability becomes that he or she may contract a sexually transmitted disease, possibly transmitting it to future partners (Rich par. 6). Although advocates of legalizing and regulating prostitution
Mr. Manser
English 9E: Research Paper
20 April 2012
Why Prostitution Should Remain Illegal in the United States
Prostitution is said to be “the world’s oldest profession” (Ramchandran par. 1). The Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines prostitution as “the act or practice of engaging in promiscuous sexual relations especially for money” (“Prostitution” par. 1). Many people argue that prostitution should be legalized, but it hurts people more than it helps. Legalization of prostitution condones sexual behavior for profit. Not to mention, the increased risk of illness or infection via sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), or death. It also does not “enhance women’s choices” (Raymond par. 45). This means that whether legalized or not, prostitutes are going to continue their activities for the simple fact that they feel they have no other choice. Lastly, prostitution and the sex industry promote sex trafficking, more specifically human trafficking. For these aforementioned reasons prostitution should remain illegal.
Many social ills related to this illegal profession involve activities that lead to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and infections (Rich par. 6). Some of these are fatal including syphilis, gonorrhea, and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (Harry par. 7). Inevitably, more agents (sellers and buyers) would enter the market, and many would neglect to use protection therefore increasing the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (Harry par. 7). The fact that prostitutes consummate with numerous partners does not help prevent these sexually transmitted diseases (Rich par. 6). Even condoms do not provide one hundred percent protection (Rich par. 6). The more sexual partners an individual possess, the higher the probability becomes that he or she may contract a sexually transmitted disease, possibly transmitting it to future partners (Rich par. 6). Although advocates of legalizing and regulating prostitution
Cited: Bales, Kevin. “Human Trafficking: Overview.” Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Harry, Paul Y. “The Case Against Legalizing Prostitution [Opinion].” Africa News Service 10 Feb. 2012: n. pag. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Poulin, Richard. “Legalizing Prostitution Increases Human Trafficking.” Human Trafficking. Ed. Christina Fisanick. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Current Controversies. Rpt. from “The Legalization of Prostitution and Its Impact on Trafficking in Women and Children.” Sisyphe.org. 2005. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. “Prostitution.” Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Ramchandran, Vasanthi. “Should We Legalise Prostitution?” Weekend Mail [Kuala Lumpar] 30 May 2004: 10. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Raymond, Janice G. “10 Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution.” Prostitution Reasearch & Education. N.p., 25 Mar. 2003. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Rich, Alex K., and Heather Newton. “Point: Prostitution Should Remain Illegal.” Points Of View: Prostitution (2011). 2012. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.