The US and many countries around the world are examining how to deal with prostitution. Although there are tens of thousands of arrests in the US each year for prostitution and related crimes, in 11 Nevada counties prostitution is legal. Because this polarizing issue is debated in universities, legislatures, newspapers, and elsewhere, and given its public policy implications, we thought the issue was ripe for our nonpartisan pro-con examination.
PRO Legal Prostitution
CON Legal Prostitution
PRO: Proponents believe legalization would reduce crime, improve public health, increase tax revenue, and allow for individuals to make their own choices. They argue that the legalization of prostitution is a necessary step in sexual liberation, helps people out of poverty, and gets prostitutes off the street.
CON: Opponents believe legalization would lead to increases in crime, illegal prostitution, sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, and human trafficking. They argue that prostitution is inherently immoral, empowers the criminal underworld, and promotes the repression of women by men.
