Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the fact that existing laws jeopardize the lives of sex workers and explains social learning theories and feminist criminological theories that support the decriminalization of prostitution as a humanitarian undertaking. The author defines prostitution and suggests what feminists and human rights activists could lobby for in order to ensure that prostitutes have rights both as individual people and sex industry workers. The author concludes that if the sex industry was regulated and sex workers were provided with legal protection, safety, and health services, they might be enabled to rise above survival mode and escape from prostitution.

From the Paper:

"Proponents of the legalization and decriminalization of prostitution state that prostitution reduces the sex worker to a commodity. However, if prostitution were decriminalized, legalized, and regulated, sex workers could escape the streets, have access to a safer working environment, gain ample access to health care services, and demand legal protection under the law. If nothing else (setting all rape issues aside) a person who forces sex without consent on a sex worker could be prosecuted for destruction of property and theft of merchandise--in the same way that muggers, thieves, and robbers are prosecuted. After all, whose property and merchandise is being referred to? Hers. A commodity perhaps, but still no less a human being."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Akers, R. L. (1997). Criminological Theories Introduction and Evaluation, second edition. Los Angeles, California: Roxbury Publishing Company.
• Hagan, F. E. (2002). Introduction to Criminology. Theories, Methods, and Criminal Behavior, fifth edition. Belmont, California: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.
• Kendall-Raynor, P. (2007). Nurses demand safe zones for sex workers in vulnerable areas. Nursing Standard 21.17, 10 (1). Retrieved on 5 December 2007 from http://find.galegroup.com
• Monet, V. (1997). Prostitution can benefit women. Opposing Viewpoints: Human Sexuality. San Diego, Greenhaven Press. Retrieved on 6 December 2007 from http://find.galegroup.com
• Sullivan, B. (2007). Rape, prostitution, and consent. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 127 (16). Retrieved on 5 December 2007 from http://find.galegroup.com

Visitors who viewed this Persuasive Essay also liked these:

• Argumentative Essay # 109788 : "Prostitution and its Legalization"
• Analytical Essay # 136422 : "Legalization of Prostitution from a Criminological Perspective"
• Essay # 69576 : "Legalized Prostitution"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: