Prostitution: A Radical Feminist Analysis

Prostitution is an occupation that involves the exchange of money for sex. Society considers prostitution as the oldest profession. However, the oldest prostitution is without Controversy. Prostitution as with pornography is a divisive debate among feminists. According to Miriam (2005), on one side we have feminists who consider prostitution as a voluntary work and political right. However, there are also feminists who perceive the trade as a form of coercion and institution of male domination and abolishment is in order (p.1). This essay will argue that women are coerced into the job and are subject of male violence and laws should be created to criminalize it. Furthermore, this paper will reflect the prostitution debate between liberal feminists and radical feminists.

Neither group seeks to criminalize prostitution because it is an affront to heterosexual monogamy and, therefore, dangerous to traditional morality. This latter perspective is more properly attributable to anti-feminist groups. (Freeman, 1989-1990, p.76)

I am of the opinion that radical feminism perspective on prostitution is the best way to perceive it. It confronts the power imbalance between the men who buy sex and the women that sell sex. Unlike radical feminists who that abolishing prostitution is possible, I am of the idea that it is impossible to abolish prostitution in society, so criminalization is the best option. My idea of criminalization is punishing the “johns,” who exploit the women and not the women whose vulnerable position leads them into prostitution. I support Freeman’s (1989-1990) notion that the solution to prostitution requires:

Only broad social and economic reforms, coupled with profound changes in our most deeply entrenched cultural norms, would eliminate the causes of prostitution. Because that amount of structural change is an unrealistic immediate