My main growth occurred from reading others discussion posts and understanding different sides of the argument. Before this class, I was always firmly against prostitution and the idea of making it legal was disgusting to me. While I still do not agree with legalizing prostitution, I have more awareness of why some would argue that we should. One response I found very interesting in the discussion post, was from an individual who talked about the benefits of legalizing it and how it would occur. She mentioned that it would be set up like a club and that the only people who would be allowed were members that were tested for infections and other background information. It would be a safe way for an individual to explore their sexuality in that way if they chose and it would also allow protection for the prostitutes. That being said, I never thought someone would actually willingly go into prostitution, but there are individuals who believe that is the only way they can provide for their family. It did not dawn on me until the discussion posts that there are people who willingly prostitute. The reading also increased my understanding on the legal aspects of prostitution, which I never really considered. One statistic read that around 90,000 people are arrested each year for prostitution; a lot more than I would have previously thought. If people willingly want this career, then I do not think I have the right to judge …show more content…
The amount of reported rapes in the United States is unsettling and what is even more unsettling is the fact that most rapes are never even reported. We are living in a world where people honestly believe they deserve the assault that happened to them or that no one will help them if they do report it; what kind of society is that? The assignment that really opened my eyes to the problem was the TED Talk on domestic abuse. I have heard so many people ask the question, “well why didn’t you leave”, that it is nauseating to know that we live in a society that lacks compassion towards these individuals. I honestly did not understand why someone would stay in that type of relationship, but after the talk and how people become trapped in those relationships, I have a much greater understanding and respect for those individuals. I also realized that each person has a responsibility to end the stigmatization surrounding sexual and domestic violence. The questions we ask or the way we perceive these situations needs to change and that begins with each individual. If I hear about an incident, instead of asking well was drinking involved or doubting the victim, I need to instead stand with the victim and support the person. People are afraid that no one will believe them, but I can become that person who does. The reading and talk really made me reflect and understand how I