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10 reasons we need to legalize prostitution

  1. It’s good for the health of her customers (johns): Legalized prostitution would allow the state to require that all prostitutes take regular health exams, helping to ensure that she or he is not carrying a sexually transmitted disease.
  2. It would give the prostitute employment rights: Many prostitutes are at the financial mercy of their pimps, who often take more than half their income. Legalization would protect their rights.
  3. It would open the door to unionization: Unions would probably be the best enforcer of the industry. They would help ensure that under the radar (illegal, non-taxpaying, non-health exam participants) would stay off the streets.
  4. It’s good for the health of the prostitute: People who live outside the law feel that they can’t turn to the law for protection. Prostitutes are regularly beaten and even killed with little recourse. 
  5. Illegal prostitution costs us money: While the costs involved are hard to estimate, it taxes the police force, the public defenders offices and the judicial system. All of these resources could be better utilized pursuing and prosecuting violent offenders.
  6. Legalized prostitution would pay: We could tax prostitution in the same way we tax hospitality, often higher than normal sales tax.
  7. It can’t be prevented: There’s a reason it’s called “the world’s oldest profession”. It’s always been around, it always will be. We might as well bring it out into the open.
  8. The laws are arbitrary and hypocritical: It’s okay for a woman to have sex with a stranger. It’s okay for a woman to have sex with a man she hardly knows after he buys her dinner and drinks or jewelry or other trinkets, why is cash currency treated so differently?
  9. More jobs: With our ever expanding unemployment rate…okay, it might not be the best idea, but you know that women and some men are turning to prostitution out of desperation. At least it would be something to legitimately put on a resume and the Obama administration could take credit for creating some jobs.
  10.  It is her or his body! Period!!!!

 

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Social Justice Examiner

Wendy writes fiction and non-fiction and has been involved in journalism since the age of 14. She makes her home in San Francisco. Contact her.

Comments

  • johnson 2 years ago
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    stupid feminazi bitch

  • Rich 1 year ago
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    This woman is a genius, I wish more women thought like her. Everything she says is undeniably spot on, the people who still push for illegal prostitution are absolutely denying facts, this is better for everyone but especially the John who wants to get a rub and tug in a massage parlor, which is 100% free of STD risk. I just can't believe both the John and the masseuse would go to jail for an "Old Fashioned" lol.

  • Brian 2 years ago
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    I read a blog post a while back written a guy who was performing a social experiment on himself in regard to sex attitudes. He, a single man who wanted to have sex, went to bars and was open to women about his intentions. The idea behind this being: he was tired of lying to women, and women are tired of being lied to. He was uniformly rejected by every woman he approached, and on multiple bar trips.
    So often in the single game, men will try to seduce a woman by signaling they may be interested in a relationship when they are not, which is clearly unethical. But whats an honest guy to do? If a man went to a bar and started flirting with a woman (or another man, as it may be) but then became honest about his intentions, he would wind up at home by his self doing the "Michigan Shuffle". By having legal prostitution any man is capable of fulfilling his sexual needs in a honest manner, that won't involve a drink being cast at his face.
    So I would like to add to your list:
    11. The desire of (some) men to be honest about their sexual feelings, and the right of women to not be misled in a man's intentions for her.

  • Sarah Estrella, Sex & Relationships Examiner 2 years ago
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    Thanks for the great article and arguments, Wendy! Your readers might be interested in the resources at www.sexworkawareness.org for more information.

    I featured your article today in the Weekend Embrace. Please come have a look!

    Love,
    Sarah

    www.examiner.com/x-1916-Sex--Relationships-Examiner~y2009m4d25-The-Weekend-Embrace-Nude-cheerleader-edition

  • ali.naveed 2 years ago
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    we believe that prostitution should be eliminated from our society Islam gives u a beautifully code and gives all rights to woman like she marry and live happy life with her husband. legalization and illegalization are not solution to eliminate the prostitution from the world.so look at the causes and then then tyr to solve those.

  • pancho 2 years ago
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    I totally agree.

  • the end 2 years ago
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    CO-SIGN

  • Bud 2 years ago
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    Brain brings up an excellent point. There are some people, for whatever reason, that prefer to not be in a steady relationship. These people, being human beings like the rest of us, have a desire for sex. But what is such a person to do? The vast majority of women, in these times, would not even think of having sex without being in some type of committed relationship. The only women who would be willing to have this type of "no-strings" sex are prostitutes. It seems to me to be a person's choice to not have a relationship and still desire sex. Who is anyone to say this is or is not correct?

  • TheTruth 2 years ago
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    Legalize it! Plain and simple. There's no reason it shouldn't be legal. Banning it is the equivalent of prohibition in the 1920's, it cannot be and never will be stopped. It discriminates against men that cannot attain the companionship they desire in a conventional manner. Furthermore the government has no right to tell a woman what she can do with her body. What's the difference between a woman that exchanges sex for any number of things and prostitution? Answer - NOTHING. Why would actual cash be any different? Should it be illegal for a woman to sleep with her boss to get a promotion? What a bunch of hypocrites. Until it's legal, let the underground community thrive...you'll never stop us!!

  • TAI 1 year ago
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    NO BODY CAN STOP IT ITS ALREADY THEIR JUST TONE TO THE BEAT,ONLY GOD HIMSELF WILL JUDGE WHAT IS N WHAT IS BAD

  • Nancy 2 years ago
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    Prostitution should be legal. It's indeed one of the oldest professions in history. It'll be much easier to monitor and minimize abuse or risks when legalized.

  • Rob 2 years ago
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    Agree 100% the way I see it this is something that can help greatly in us getting in the green when it comes to the economy, In addition The Bunny Ranch in Reno has some high ended workers including Mika Tan a well renowned adult film star. Legalizing Prostitution and making it more fixed as far as prices go and keeping the difference in quality of the girls closer together because I wish I could go to the bunny Ranch to see Mika Tan, but not counting Flight, hotel, transportation etc...you're talking about a good Several Thousand Dollars, albeit the quality suits the high prices, but make the interval from a "high end worker" to one of the "$200 for an hour" ladies a little tighter together. While in the same token putting substantial $$$ in the ladies' pockets and the Govt taking their share. It'll make the difference in the end and maybe Keep Obama another Term after his current one.

  • Rich 2 years ago
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    Hurry up and make this legal already, there isn't one good reason it isn't. I would imagine the global STD rates would drop enormously due to this. Not to mention it would save us so much money not having our tax paid police officers trying to trap lonely men. If they are cheating, that isn't everyone else's business.

  • useyourbrain 10 months ago
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    STD's have actually increased in countries that have legalized prostitution. Try a little research next time

  • steve gorel 2 years ago
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    On the website of catwinternational.org you will find 10 reasons to make prostitution illegal (type it in the search engine)

    I'm neutral. I see the from both perspectives advantages and disadvantages.

  • Nina T, Indonesia 1 year ago
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    Wendy, I love you. I'm making my first essay for college on this very topic, and your ideas are strong and relevant. I owe you!

  • j6 1 year ago
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    thank you so much Wendy..this can really help me in making my essay...thanks again!!!

  • Radel 1 year ago
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    Thanx so much this has really helped me for my part in the group debate..

  • sam 1 year ago
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    But do you even realize that most of the prostitutes are smuggled and forced to do things without their consent. Prostitutes are at times forced to have sex 30 times a day. If women are turning into prostitution because of poverty, then legalization is not the solution but the government needs to be careful about the underlying problem. The last point US is not the only country in the world. Think globally and help stop the smuggling of women into prostitution.

  • sam 1 year ago
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    If people feel that it is their life, their right, then why is suicide not seen in the same manner. Why dont we have suicide houses where people could take away their lives very easily. If people feeling suicidal are treated by doctors, even people who are thinking of becoming prostitutes need counselling. I am sure that is is not only for the desire for sex, that people become prostitutes. There may be underlying reasons, like sexual abuse, abused as a child, etc. Prostitution is a global problem and needs to be addressed correctly, and not with a, "your life, your wish" ,kind of an answer.

  • smokie 1 year ago
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    I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE PROSTITUE WHO GAVE THEIR VIEW TOWARDS PROSTITE AND ALL THOSE ALL I KNOW PROFESSER WHO THINK THAT THEY KNOW ALL THE THINGS THAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG BUT MY VIEW PROSTITUTION IS THE WAY TO GO.

  • Crosby 1 year ago
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    i totally agree with what u have to say about prostitution its there bodies not yours and if that is what the want then that it what they will get. did you forget that this is america the land of the free were we get what we want and when we want?

  • asian 1 year ago
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    Yes, i agree with the reasons stated. NO ONE has the rights to tell u wheater u can sell ur body or not. Its a matter of an exchange. If u and ur 'customer' are happy with wat you got, then there shouldnt be any issues.

  • allie 1 year ago
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    are you high?

  • Nunya 1 year ago
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    Thee Obama comment was not funny at all--humor is a hit or mis, and you missed me with that one, stick to the facts and leave jokes to the comedians...thanks.

  • Andrea 1 year ago
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    Researching for a paper. Came across this. The problem is you're ideal overlooks a greater concern: once society legalizes something it condones it. There are other ways to deal with the concerns you listed. Start thinking outside the box. The simpleton finds solutions by just "wiping the slate clean" -- provide some realistic solutions. Just spouting off like you do just creates a shouting match and accomplishes nothing. It may make you feel good about yourself (your article def. shows you like to masturbate your ego) but also shows how simple you really are. Good luck. You need it.

  • tammy 1 year ago
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    You call this women a simpleton? I would like to hear your way to end "the oldest profesion in the world"? You probably dont have one and considering that for centuries people so much smarter than you will ever be could not stop it her idea is the only and correct way to deal with prostitution.Wendy gave great reasons why it should be legal and i will give another great reason it should be legal. It should be legal because many of the women who are prostitutes do not have pimps and actually like/want to do what they do so why condemn them for that?

  • Anonymous 4 months ago
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    If you are a religious person then stop being a hypocrite. You are no better than the prostitute , except they don't judge and you do. So who really is the simple one?

  • jerffery 1 year ago
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    i think that you all have a good point but the fact that you should make prostituion legal because of your resons is barbaric. for example number 1 it says it is good for the john. what is yall problems??? i think that if a guy needs satisfaction she could go to a bar but not go to a prostitue. I think that these women are used and they don't get the chance to say anything to anyone because on one would actually listen to them. do you think that if you were a teenage girl that was brought up in prostitution then you would want to do it all your life? i think that it ruins peoples lives and we need to keep it illegal and they need to monitor it better.

  • confused 1 year ago
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    what i don't get is why do you want prostitution to be legal? half the girls that are in prostitution are forced and they dont have a choice and they need a chance to get out. think if you leagalize it then they will never be able to get out. they live in hell. and you are all over here wanting it to be legal? i dont get why you think that it should be legal. please i am very confused and i would like one of you to explain to me why it should be leaglized.

  • FAK 1 year ago
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    If prostitution was legalized then it would be under a contorl area and pimps would be demolished. It would give the woman hwo want a chance to get out to get out. It would be just like a job where one can quite at any moment

  • Tammy 1 year ago
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    You want to know why it should be legalized? Ok first off its the oldest profesion in the world! and for centuries people(alot of them ver very smart) have not found away to get rid off it there for it probably will never go away.Second if if you legalize it then you could regulate it and there for we could keep kid from being sold etc. Third of all i know some prostitutes and there are many infact id say a good majority of them do not have pimps, do it of there own free will, and they want/like to do it and if it is legalized the good majority that are like that will not be condemned.

  • Anonymous 10 months ago
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    I guess it would be fine. The marriage rate would decrease drastically and thus the divorce rate would be reduced as well. We would see a reduction in the baby daddy demographic and women would have a fall back profession in hard times. PUN INTENDED. There would NEVER be a recession in that field because men have the self-control of farm animals and would pay no matter what. (Some have the IQ of farm animals as well, but that is another topic altogether. ROTF!)

    And since men, for the most part, only want sex from women, we may as well give them what they want because this is their world after all. And women just live in it. You wouldn't have to deal with a$$holes on a daily basis posing as nice guys. I think this is the strongest point of the argument. Reducing the a$$hole aspect of dealing with men is priceless and almost impossible to achieve in some cases!

    I think it may also be a resource for women who do find men to marry. You could ask him what prostitutes he went to and talk to them about his sexual prowess. The prostitute could give him a rating and you could reject him based on this information. Oh yes, this is sounding better by the minute.

    Where is the petition? I have a Sharpie in hand and ready to go. LOL!

  • Anonymous 10 months ago
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    Nice way to back up your stupid claims. I like how how your opinions have no relevant mindset. Why don't you be an advocate in the Netherlands or Vegas...become a prostitute girl!! So you can save the rest of the air in your head.

  • mr x 6 months ago
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    What an "intelligent" argument. Maybe when your IQ exceeds your shoe size you can actually make a logical argument. Until then stop wasting my precious oxygen.

  • anonymous 4 months ago
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    the only reason why people like you won't legalize it is because your stupid and not seeing the whole picture. If the government can tax it and it pays for itself and make extra money to help get out of this funk the country is in then why not? Plus the government can keep tabs to make sure our children are not involved at all, but that is all due to the perverts that like children. They should go to jail and be punished. Any way if you do your own research prostitutes have been around a lot longer than you. They go back to before Jesus Christs birth and they are a part of beliefs in the church before church got reformed. So before you judge anybody else do your research first and then judge yourself.

  • Wned 10 months ago
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    Legalize it!! Says all the stupid wankers walking around with STD's. Moronic people I hope your very own child gets prostituted, maybe then you'll wake up

  • Whitney 9 months ago
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    I agree wholeheartedly.

  • Anonymous 4 months ago
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    If it were legal.
    Not only cold they make tests for STDs mandatory, and help keep people healthy. They could also mandate the use of condoms, etc..
    Oh, and they could TAX IT! The tax made from it could pay for the programs to regulate it.
    At the very minimal, they should make happy endings at massage parlors legal.

  • Math man 4 months ago
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    Food for thought on this. (If we taxed it)
    Lets say we tax 15% and estimate 100,000 prostitutes in the US. (The number is likely MUCH, MUCH higher)
    Lets also assume they charge $150 an hour, and see just 5 people a week.

    Time for some math.
    100,000 Prostitutes being taxed 15% for someone they see and charge $150 5 times a week = 585 MILLION dollars that could be generated per year.
    Lets adjust those numbers a little.
    Lets say 500,000 prostitutes, and $200 an hour and 10 times a week. Thats 7.8 BILLION.

    Feel free to double check my math.

    I'm pretty sure that there are a lot of good things 7.8 Billion dollars can do. And thats probably a low number.

  • John Sleazy 3 months ago
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    The real reason for legalizing hookery - I am so fAcking horny! I may be not Mr. Right, but I am totally Mr. Right Now!
    Let's save some $$$ on those sex tours and roll my balls up to some local Jenny.

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