In Favor of Legalization of Prostitution

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer argues that legalization of prostitution is necessary in today's society. The writer discusses that there is a significant difference between the legalization, regulation and decriminalization of prostitution. The writer maintains that the legalization of prostitution would preserve the rights of prostitutes and provide a safe and healthy environments to ply their trade. Further, the writer maintains that it would ensure that prostitutes do not become victims of abuse and that human trafficking, especially of minors, for sexual purposes would be reduced, if not completely stopped. The writer concludes that this would prevent the spread of deadly diseases and would result in significant economic benefits to counties, municipalities, cities and even the state.

Outline:
Introduction and Thesis
Definitions and Descriptions of Key Terms
What is a Prostitute
Legalization of Prostitution
Prostitution in the United States as a Legal Profession
The Case for Legalization-Decriminalization of Prostitution
Relevant Analogies to Prohibition (of Alcohol) and Abortion Rights
Redirecting of Law Enforcement Services
Safety of Sex Workers
Protection for Minors forced into Prostitution
Health of the Prostitute and the Customer
The Reduction of Human Trafficking
Role of Government in Legalization of Prostitution
Arguments against Legalization of Prostitution
Conclusions

From the Paper:

"One important consideration is what a prostitute feels legalization should entail. The simplest way to look at this would be to make prostitution legal without any restrictions from law enforcement. But does that mean that a brothel could be opened up in a mall. Certainly societal perceptions about prostitution have to be taken into account. It would be unseemly to make prostitution so unrestricted as to have prostitute parading themselves in immodest attire on a busy street in the office district in a city downtown in the middle of the day. Even without such regulations, most cities, even where prostitution was criminalized had red light districts, which was understood by all to house prostitutes. Historically, the term red light arose because prostitutes would put a red lantern outside their houses to inform customers of the availability of sexual favors.
"Legalization and regulation for prostitution go hand in hand. While prostitution is decriminalized, that is one cannot be arrested or charged for offering services or pandering to them, these are heavily regulated. This means that the location of brothels or streetwalking is permitted in only special restricted zones, often on the outskirts of cities. Prostitutes have to pay taxes just like any other businesses. Law enforcement is used not to make arrest but to enforce these regulations."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bazelon, Emily. Why Is Prostitution Illegal? 2008. Slate.com. Available: http://www.slate.com/id/2186243/. April 25 2008.
• BreakingFreeInc. Breaking Free Inc: Sisters Helping Sisters Break Free. 2008. BreakingFreeInc.net. Available: http://www.breakingfree.net/. April 25 2008.
• Cauthen, Kenneth. Legalizing Prostitution. 1999. ProstitutionProCon. Available: http://www.prostitutionprocon.com.
• Copeland, J. Heidi Fleiss Gets 3 Years. 1997. E!Online. Available: http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,534,00.html. April 25 2008.
• DecriminalizePN. Decriminalize Prostitution Now (2000). What Countries Have Legal Prostitution. 2000. Available: http://www.sexwork.com/coalition/whatcountrieslegal.html. April 25 2008.

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