Pros and Cons of Legalizing Prostitution

Pros and Cons of Legalizing Prostitution 

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            Prostitution is defined as the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment. But, why isn’t it something that is legalized and taxed like any other occupation? I’m going to talk about the pros and cons of legalizing prostitution. First I would like to mention the types of things that I think should be mandatory if prostitution were to be legalized. There should be mandatory STI and drug testing, female prostitutes should have to be on some type of contraception, males must use condoms, the act must be done in an approved safe place, the prostitutes should have a safe house that they can go to, the clients cannot demand favors from the prostitutes that they don’t want to do, etc. By abiding by these rules, prostitution can be done in a safe and legal manner.

            There are many pros to legalizing prostitution. Legalizing prostitution would allow the states to require the prostitutes to take regular health exams. This would help to ensure that they are not carrying or spreading a sexually transmitted disease. The government would also be able to make condoms and a contraceptive mandatory. Another benefit that legalizing would provide the prostitute is employment rights. Many times more than half of their income goes to their pimps. If prostitution was legal, it could reduce the amount of violence towards them. The amount of rape and human trafficking that happens has shown to be reduced in places where prostitution is legalized. The prostitutes could go to the police for help if needed. Prostitution could be taxed, and instead of losing money trying to prevent it we could gain from it.

            With anything, there are also cons to legalizing prostitution. There are those who will not follow the rules, and they will continue to do things illegally. Some of the STI tests can take anywhere from weeks to months to show up positive, and many times they won’t even have symptoms. So, even though they are being tested they may not know they are infected and could be infected more people.  Prostitution has a high rate of violence compared to other professions, even in places where it is legal. Even if it was legalized, many women may be pushed to do this as a profession because they don’t have any other alternatives. Crime rates could increase with the legalization of prostitution.

            This is always going to be a controversial topic, and it will probably be a long time before prostitution becomes legalized. I think that if it is regulated, and the rules are followed then it could be a good thing. The benefits here seem to outweigh the risks. What do you guys think? 

I thought this next image was humorous, and wanted to share.

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References:

"10 reasons we need to legalize prostitution." Examiner.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 July 2014.              <http://www.examiner.com/article/10-reasons-we-need-to-legalize-prostitution>.

"Should Prostitution Be Legalized?."Alternet. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 July 2014.              <http://www.alternet.org/story/93653/should_prostitution_be_legalized>.

"The Pros and Cons of Legalizing Prostitution." « Phil for Humanity. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 July 2014.             <http://www.philforhumanity.com/The_Pros_and    Cons_of_Legalizing_Prostitution.html>.

"Top 10 Pros and Cons - Legal Prostitution - Pros and Cons - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines.              N.p., n.d. Web. 6 July 2014.        <http://prostitution.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000115>.