Summary: The Effects Of Legalizing Prostitution

This report is written to examine the effects of legalising prostitution in society as there have been a number of issues which have happened to cause society to analyse the outcomes of legalising prostitution.

Prostitution is known to be the oldest profession in the world and was practiced in many cultures as it became a cultural custom. There are several different terms known to identify prostitutes such as geishas, concubines, courtesans and sex workers. Back to a few decades ago, prostitution was considered a sinful and treacherous act especially if a spouse was committing adultery. Of late, certain countries like Western Australia, Belgium, Netherlands and Singapore have legalised prostitution in an effort to control the industry. In

This is a contemporary process that has been greatly accelerated in the second half of the 20th century and into the present century. Amidst its biggest effects are social and economic, which can be researched and observed, along with emotional and physical health, safety and human trafficking. Human trafficking which refers to the illegal practice of procuring or trading in human beings for the purpose of prostitution, forced labour, or other forms of exploitation (Dictionary.com 2016). In spite of human trafficking being an ongoing issue, it has gained a lot of attention in recent years. In layman terms, a person is considered a prostitute if they are paid to perform sexual activities with a client, which may also be referred to as johns. Additionally, prostitution in modern times does not just refer to women but men too. These men that are labelled as gigolos are often paid as escorts to accompany older women and sometimes the payment includes sexual relations. In the past few decades, countries like Britain, Netherlands, New Zealand and Taiwan have legalised prostitution which has sparked an ongoing debate on whether it is beneficial towards society. There are two main positive developments that are brought about through the legalisation of prostitution, which are protecting the health of sex workers and guarding the

References

‘Human-trafficking’ 2016, Dictionary.com, viewed 19 January 2016, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/human-trafficking ‘Prostitute’ 2016, Miriam-Webster dictionary online, viewed 19 January 2016, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prostitute

Abel, G, Fitzgerald, L & Brunton, C 2007, ‘The impact of the prostitution reform act on the health and safety practices of sex workers: report to the Prostitution Law Review Committee, viewed 20 January 2016, http://www.otago.ac.nz/christchurch/otago018607.pdf

Brents, BG & Hausbeck, K 2005, ‘Violence and legalised brothel prostitution in Nevada’, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 277-282, doi: 10.1177/0886260504270333

Clarkson, FA 1939, ‘Special article: history of prostitution’, The Canadian Medical Association Journal, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 296-301, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC537482/pdf/canmedaj00208-0074.pdf

Rudder, C 2010 ‘Sex for sale: legalised prostitution hurts human trafficking victims’, The Huffington Post, 20 October, viewed 18 January 2016,