Prostitution: Is it time to Decriminalize? In recent years the issue of decriminalizing prostitution has become increasingly controversial as society adapts to modern ways of thinking. Prostitution, once a topic that was discouraged in conversation, is becoming more openly discussed in present day settings. Conservatives typically view prostitution as morally wrong, dangerous and should remain illegal. However, more liberal thinkers believe decriminalizing prostitution would initiate safety for prostitutes and their customers. Therefore, while many believe prostitution should remain illegal due to violence and the spread of disease, others view legalizing as a way of protecting prostitutes and those involved in the industry. Even though
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An interview with a prostitute unveils her personal experiences with clients after prostitution became legal. The interviewer writes, ‘[A]fter decriminalization, men became far pushier, more bullying and demanding,’ a woman in the trade ...told Moran, who said she was not surprised because ‘the state itself has told these men they have entitlement to women 's bodies” (Glazer). The prostitute claims that since decriminalization, men have become more violent and aggressive. Men gain a sense of entitlement to women—since prostitution is legal, they are providing a legitimate service. These men feel since they have paid for such a service they deserve to treat the women as a product rather than a human being. Likewise, Cecilia Hoffman, an activist on women’s protection and education, believes decriminalization will only worsen the violence associated with prostitution. Within the article Hoffman states, “It violates the right to enjoy the highest standard of physical and mental health because violence… presenting constant and grave risks for women and girls in prostitution, and militating against a healthy sense of and relationship with their own bodies" …show more content…
Jeffrey J. Barrows, a health consultant on Human Trafficking for the Christian Medical Association wrote an article on why legalizing prostitution would spread disease. Barrows claims that at minimum after four weeks a prostitute may test positive for HIV. However, HIV could possibly remain undetectable in the body for possibly up to 12 weeks after being infected. Assuming a prostitute tests positive after four weeks, to receive their results back from a doctor, there is an additional one to two week lag time from the doctor to the patient. Between this six week period a prostitute may see up to 630 clients on average (Barrows). Here, Barrows explains that HIV lays dormant within the body for weeks, remaining undetectable by doctors. Between the lengthy periods of contracting the disease and testing positive, prostitutes are constantly spreading the disease to their clients. Furthermore, a domino effect will initiate—spreading the virus widespread among clients and any partners the client sees. This shows that legalizing prostitution will cause an outbreak of disease regardless of the precautions taken by the prostitute and their clients. The author of Legalizing Prostitution agrees that decriminalization will lead to an increase in disease
An interview with a prostitute unveils her personal experiences with clients after prostitution became legal. The interviewer writes, ‘[A]fter decriminalization, men became far pushier, more bullying and demanding,’ a woman in the trade ...told Moran, who said she was not surprised because ‘the state itself has told these men they have entitlement to women 's bodies” (Glazer). The prostitute claims that since decriminalization, men have become more violent and aggressive. Men gain a sense of entitlement to women—since prostitution is legal, they are providing a legitimate service. These men feel since they have paid for such a service they deserve to treat the women as a product rather than a human being. Likewise, Cecilia Hoffman, an activist on women’s protection and education, believes decriminalization will only worsen the violence associated with prostitution. Within the article Hoffman states, “It violates the right to enjoy the highest standard of physical and mental health because violence… presenting constant and grave risks for women and girls in prostitution, and militating against a healthy sense of and relationship with their own bodies" …show more content…
Jeffrey J. Barrows, a health consultant on Human Trafficking for the Christian Medical Association wrote an article on why legalizing prostitution would spread disease. Barrows claims that at minimum after four weeks a prostitute may test positive for HIV. However, HIV could possibly remain undetectable in the body for possibly up to 12 weeks after being infected. Assuming a prostitute tests positive after four weeks, to receive their results back from a doctor, there is an additional one to two week lag time from the doctor to the patient. Between this six week period a prostitute may see up to 630 clients on average (Barrows). Here, Barrows explains that HIV lays dormant within the body for weeks, remaining undetectable by doctors. Between the lengthy periods of contracting the disease and testing positive, prostitutes are constantly spreading the disease to their clients. Furthermore, a domino effect will initiate—spreading the virus widespread among clients and any partners the client sees. This shows that legalizing prostitution will cause an outbreak of disease regardless of the precautions taken by the prostitute and their clients. The author of Legalizing Prostitution agrees that decriminalization will lead to an increase in disease