Prostitution ProCon.org -- Should prostitution be legal?

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Should prostitution be legal?

Proponents of legalizing prostitution believe it would reduce crime, improve public health, increase tax revenue, help people out of poverty, get prostitutes off the streets, and allow consenting adults to make their own choices. They contend that prostitution is a victimless crime, especially in the 11 Nevada counties where it remains legal.

Opponents believe that legalizing prostitution would lead to increases in sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, global human trafficking, and violent crime including rape and homicide. They contend that prostitution is inherently immoral, commercially exploitative, empowers the criminal underworld, and promotes the repression of women by men.

Prostitution ProCon.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit website that presents facts, studies, and pro and con statements on questions related to whether or not prostitution should be legal.

Pros & Cons by Category

CORE QUESTION

Should prostitution be legal?

Defining Terms

What is prostitution?

What is human trafficking?

What is sex work?

Key Concepts and Demographics

What are some problems concerning scientific research on prostitution?

How many prostitutes are in the United States and the rest of the world?

What are the different types of prostitution?

Brothels

Should prostitution be legal in licensed places like brothels?

Crime

Is prostitution a victimless crime?

Would legal prostitution better protect prostitutes from violence?

Would legal prostitution decrease sexual violence such as rape?

Should police resources be used against prostitution?

Should cities shame johns by putting their faces on billboards, television, and the internet after their arrest?

Decriminalization vs. Legalization

What is the difference between the decriminalization and legalization of prostitution?

Should prostitution be decriminalized but not regulated?

Should selling sexual acts be decriminalized but buying criminalized such as in Sweden?

Demean Women?

Does prostitution demean women?

Economics

Is legal prostitution a legitimate business?

Does individual economic opportunity justify legalizing prostitution?

Should the government collect taxes from prostitution?

Health

Is prostitution psychologically harmful to prostitutes?

Would legal prostitution decrease sexually transmitted diseases?

Would legal prostitution reduce HIV/AIDS?

Should health checks be mandatory for prostitutes?

Human Trafficking

Does legal prostitution lead to human trafficking and slavery?

Marriage and Prostitution

Is prostitution a threat to marriage?

Morality

Is prostitution immoral?

Personal Freedom and Liberty

Should people have a right to become prostitutes?

Is prostitution a freely chosen profession?

Is legal prostitution a part of sexual liberation?

Pornography

Is pornography prostitution?

Red-Light Districts

Should prostitution tolerance zones like red-light districts be created?

Viewpoints from Involved Parties

Do prostitutes want prostitution legalized?

Does law enforcement want prostitution legalized?

Does the medical community want prostitution legalized?

Share your thoughts on prostitution and read, vote on, and reply to existing comments. Join the debate.

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Last updated on 5/8/2013 3:34:57 PM PST