The Legalization of Prostitution

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the positive effects that legalization of prostitution would have not only on the people involved in this industry, but on society as a whole. The writer discusses a recent study that focuses chiefly upon the impact of legalized brothels in Nevada. The writer further explains how, based on this study, legalization will reduce the spread of sexually-transmitted disease, cut down on violence against sex-trade workers, and discourage the upsetting of public order. The writer concludes that while there is an understandable public aversion to legalizing prostitution, the benefits to women engaged in this industry makes legalization something law-makers should seriously consider.

From the Paper:

"One of the first things which becomes apparent with regards to the legalization of prostitution is that several of the rationales which have historically been brought forward in defense of keeping it illegal - reducing the threat of sexually-transmitted diseases, discouraging "violence" against community order, and thwarting inter-personal violence against women who happen to be sex-trade workers - are actually better-served by legalization. For example, a recent study - focusing chiefly upon the impact of legalized brothels in Nevada - reveals that a compelling case can be put forward that legalization of prostitution brings with it a level of public scrutiny and observation, a measure of official regulation, and sufficient "bureaucratization" that the forms of violence detailed above are actually reduced (Brents, 270 and 280-295)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Albert, Alexa E., David Lee Warner, Robert A. Hatcher, James Trussell, and Charles Bennett. "Condom Use among Female Commercial Sex Workers in Nevada's Legal Brothels." American Journal of Public Health, 85.11 (1995): 1514-1520.
• Brents, B.G. "Violence and Legalized Brothel Prostitution in Nevada: Examining Safety, Risk, and Prostitution Legacy." Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20.3 (2005): 270-295.
• Rabinovitch, J. "The PEERS Story: Effective Services Sidestep the Controversies...Prostitutes Empowerment Education and Resource Society." Violence against Women, 10.2 (2004): 140-159.

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