| I believe prostitution should be legalized in every state. Currently prostitution is only legal in the state of Nevada. It has been legal to operate a brothel in Nevada since 1970; despite the efforts of politicians this continues to be the law. It is legal to operate a brothel in a county with a population of 400,000 people or less. I feel that it should be legalized with restrictions similar to the restrictions in Nevada. I don’t think that a county with a low population should have brothels. A larger county would benefit more from brothels as well as keeping small towns “clean.” Prostitution should be legal within a brothel. I feel that street prostitution should continue to be illegal. Prostitutes should be a minimum of 18 years of age.
There are far more reasons why it should be legalized than why it shouldn’t. Most people do not agree with the legalization of prostitution before getting some convincing. It is believed that unwanted births will increase. Unwanted births will not increase within prostitution; they can be prevented with birth control. I believe that unwanted births can be controlled with the use of condoms, birth control pills and spermicides. Another option for controlling the increase of birth rate is abortion. Most may not agree with this option, but it is still an option. It is also believed that sex crimes will increase. Sex crimes will not increase; prostitutes can be monitored by surveillance cameras to keep them safe. Rapes in a brothel can be prevented by employing bouncers or security guards to help maintain a safe environment in the brothel. I feel that sex crimes will decrease. If prostitutes are employed be brothel there will no longer by rapes on the street or beatings by pimps. Also, law enforcement can concentrate their efforts towards other crimes: the sale of drugs, rapes, murder and the prostitution of children, known as white slavery. The strongest point that persons opposed to legalizing prostitution is that it is immoral and a sin. Some believe that prostitution is demeaning to women. This may or may not be true, but isn’t a women’s right to decide whether it is demeaning to her? By keeping prostitution illegal we are not protecting women from anything. In fact, we are endangering women more by not providing a safe haven for them. People may debate that it is morally wrong to sell your body. However, I feel it is up to the individual to make the choice whether something is morally wrong or right. If the individual is living in “sin” then their actions will be punished later and it is their choice to decide this not others.
There are many reasons why prostitution should be legalized. Street and child prostitution will decrease. Prostitution can benefit the economy. Tourism, where brothels are available, will increase. Believe it or not it can improve home life by decreasing the divorce rate. Spreading STDs within prostitution can be controlled better. Many may disagree with my views, but here is my opportunity to change minds.
Street and child prostitution will decrease. Employment can be offered to prostitutes who qualify-- age minimum of 18, and healthy with no STDs. This will aid in clearing the streets of prostitution. The prostitution of children may increase due to the fact that they will not be hired at brothels. In spite of this I don’t think that it will get out of hand. While law enforcement will no longer have street prostitution to deal with they can concentrate on the prostitution of children.
Prostitution can improve the economy of the United States. The government can tax this public service. According to the IRS the prostitution industry collects $14.4 billion in unreported income a year. If prostitution were nationwide and taxed, the economy of the US will improve. Many people think that a common whorehouse can not have any sort of positive effect on the government, but it most certainly can.
As well as the economy, prostitution can improve tourism. Tourism will boom with the location of brothels in highly touristic areas, i.e. South Beach, Manhattan, and Hollywood. Many travel from California to Nevada, in order to receive the services of legal brothels. Think of what it can do for international tourism. Most initial visits will be for the beaches or the food or the entertainment, but they’ll return again for the brothels.
Legalizing prostitution can reduce divorce rate. Spouses tend to cheat for sex, not relationships. Sex without relationship is not commonly offered. A relationship outside of the marriage is what tends to end the marriage. If a local brothel is available then the spouse can go get what they “need” and go home to their spouse. Granted, the infidelity may still end the marriage but it is much simpler to hide one lie and a one time event than a web of lies and a series of events. This may sound absurd but it is definitely reasonable.
Some may say the STDs will spread at a higher rate with the legalization of prostitution. The spreading of STDs will not increase, they will decrease. Prostitutes should be tested for STDs. At brothels like The Moonlight Bunny Ranch, in the state of Nevada, testing for STDs is mandatory. The state of Nevada mandates that sex workers must be tested for gonorrhea, genital warts and herpes on a weekly basis. They must also be tested monthly for syphilis and HIV. As of March of 1988 the use of condoms is mandatory for not only vaginal intercourse but oral sex and manual sex as well. By having prostitutes work within a legal brothel we can control the spreading of STDs. Since 1970, when prostitution was legalized in Nevada, there has been no reported transmission of disease.
In conclusion, I feel that the right to choose what one does with his or her body is up to the individual. They know what the consequences are. If they still decide to go through with it is their right. You may not agree with my views, but I hope that this enlightens you. I hope that all of us will begin to accept a person’s decision to do with their lives what they will. |