Prostitution is a widely debated issue throughout the United States, as well as the world. As countries that are often held in high regard, such as the United Kingdom and France, legalize prostitution, the United States continues to uphold its laws against prostitution, with the exception of certain areas of Nevada (ProCon.org). As seen in a New Mexico statute, prostitution can be defined as, “Prostitution consists of knowingly engaging in or offering to engage in a sexual act for hire” (USLegal). This definition promotes that prostitution is consented to and does not advocate for the legality of nonconsenting acts, such as sex trafficking. In accordance with the definition of prostitution stated above, an examination of human rights and
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Article twenty-five of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” states, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services” (United Nations 9). If they are unable to find other employment elsewhere, prostitution could help them provide a more stable life for their families. In a survey conducted to find the various reasons that women turn to prostitution, it was found that “money is cited by 85% of the prostitutes...Some have to pay for housing, food and day care for their children” (Karkov). For many women, the job market was unable to provide the adequate standard of living that is stated as a right by the United Nations. The legalization of prostitution would allow these people to pursue a better life with a legal job. In addition to this, it is a very common practice for people to sell their bodies when they are in need of extra money. It is estimated that there are approximately four-thousand to five-thousand donor inseminated births every year (“Sperm Banking Background”). As long as prostitution is consensual and regulated, there is little difference between the two, they are both ways that people can use their bodies to make money. Sex is often associated with a strong attachment between two …show more content…
Utilitarianism is the principle which states that humans are always required to create the greatest amount of happiness possible (Rachels and Rachels 99). To begin, the legalization of prostitution would most benefit the prostitute themselves. In addition to being able to pursue this career legally, they will be offered protection. Now, due to fear of arrest, prostitutes will often times avoid going to the police when they are victimized (Nelson 3). The legalization will prevent this due to the fact that they can no longer be arrested since they are not doing anything criminal. This will make the prostitutes happier because not only will they no longer need to fear arrest, but they will also be able to go to the police when they face a dangerous situation while working. Also, studies have shown that sex workers will continue to sell sex after being arrested. After an arrest, it would be even more difficult for these people to find legal jobs with a criminal record anyway (Nelson 3). If arrest does not help stop prostitution, legalizing it would be beneficial to the legal system. There would no longer be a cost of housing the arrested prostitutes and police officers could focus their time on more important
Article twenty-five of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” states, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services” (United Nations 9). If they are unable to find other employment elsewhere, prostitution could help them provide a more stable life for their families. In a survey conducted to find the various reasons that women turn to prostitution, it was found that “money is cited by 85% of the prostitutes...Some have to pay for housing, food and day care for their children” (Karkov). For many women, the job market was unable to provide the adequate standard of living that is stated as a right by the United Nations. The legalization of prostitution would allow these people to pursue a better life with a legal job. In addition to this, it is a very common practice for people to sell their bodies when they are in need of extra money. It is estimated that there are approximately four-thousand to five-thousand donor inseminated births every year (“Sperm Banking Background”). As long as prostitution is consensual and regulated, there is little difference between the two, they are both ways that people can use their bodies to make money. Sex is often associated with a strong attachment between two …show more content…
Utilitarianism is the principle which states that humans are always required to create the greatest amount of happiness possible (Rachels and Rachels 99). To begin, the legalization of prostitution would most benefit the prostitute themselves. In addition to being able to pursue this career legally, they will be offered protection. Now, due to fear of arrest, prostitutes will often times avoid going to the police when they are victimized (Nelson 3). The legalization will prevent this due to the fact that they can no longer be arrested since they are not doing anything criminal. This will make the prostitutes happier because not only will they no longer need to fear arrest, but they will also be able to go to the police when they face a dangerous situation while working. Also, studies have shown that sex workers will continue to sell sex after being arrested. After an arrest, it would be even more difficult for these people to find legal jobs with a criminal record anyway (Nelson 3). If arrest does not help stop prostitution, legalizing it would be beneficial to the legal system. There would no longer be a cost of housing the arrested prostitutes and police officers could focus their time on more important