Prostitution has been illegal in most of the United States since the early 1900's. It was made illegal largely because of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the same group that pushed for the ban of alcohol, bringing on the prohibition era. Prostitution was made illegal because of its disgrace to women, in the early 1900's. Today new laws have been imposed to bring stiffer penalties to prostitutes who test positive for HIV/AIDS. In some other countries however, prostitution is legal, such as in Amsterdam, turkey, Switzerland, and New Zealand. These countries have strictly regulated brothels which are a reason for their lower STD rates. This legalized prostitution also brings the government benefits from the income tax. If prostitution were legalized in the United States, it would greatly help the country.
In 1987, a study was done in seven cities in the U.S., finding that 98 of 835, or 11.74% of prostitutes carried the AIDS virus (New York times, 3/27/87). Currently in the United States, the AIDS rate is 3 per 1000 (.3%). In the Netherlands, where prostitution is legal and controlled by using government brothels, the aids rate is .9 per 1000 (.09%) (Mark liberator, 12/8/05). This is a third of the AIDS rate as the United States. If prostitution were legalized in the United States, it would be much easier to control. The brothels could be government controlled, testing for STDs/ AIDS. Prostitutes would also be required to be a certain age (18 in the Netherlands), eliminating most of child prostitution and bringing STDs among prostitutes down to a nominal level, there bye hindering the spread of STDs.
In 1987, a study was done in seven cities in the U.S., finding that 98 of 835, or 11.74% of prostitutes carried the AIDS virus (New York times, 3/27/87). Currently in the United States, the AIDS rate is 3 per 1000 (.3%). In the Netherlands, where prostitution is legal and controlled by using government brothels, the aids rate is .9 per 1000 (.09%) (Mark liberator, 12/8/05). This is a third of the AIDS rate as the United States. If prostitution were legalized in the United States, it would be much easier to control. The brothels could be government controlled, testing for STDs/ AIDS. Prostitutes would also be required to be a certain age (18 in the Netherlands), eliminating most of child prostitution and bringing STDs among prostitutes down to a nominal level, there bye hindering the spread of STDs.
Comments
Annie
(Guest)
(Guest)
12/04/2009
"I think a prostitute is a victim regardless of the legality." That is clearly a moral opinion. There are several women that, if they had the proper safety assurances and medical coverage, would gladly choose prostitution. First of all, it is the highest level of income for a woman. Secondly, it is her body and her decision. And there is a need for prostitution. I don't mean to be crude/cruel, but what about the men who aren't attractive and can't get dates? Or the men who are in wheelchairs? Should they be denied a chance at guaranteed sex?
Tinkertoy
(Guest)
(Guest)
12/01/2009
I agree that prostitution should be legalized. There will always be those who prostitute, just like with prohibition of alchol. Look what happened with that, it was illegal and it didn't stop a thing. People wanted/needed to drink so they took to the hills and did it under cover. It didn't stop a thing, just made everyone who embibed in it criminals. If prostitution were legalized then it would be more like a job. There would be new rules regarding it, more protection for those working that 'job' and it would put the pimps and johns at more of a risk of persecution than the prostitute themselves. We all have to put food on the table for our babies, and working a 'mcjob' don't always do that.
RobertSt
(Guest)
(Guest)
10/18/2009
Agree Valerie, illegal prostitution can be devastating to the prostitute health. It`s time for legalization.
rob
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/09/2009
don't you think that prostitutes would suffer less stress is prostitution was legalized. there would be less of a chance they would be rapped, robbed or killed. also they would not be arrested for being prostitutes. instead they would be paid, probably a significant amount more.
Valerie
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/09/2009
I'm sorry but I can't agree because you were looking at prostitution in a completely impersonal light. You seemed to only concern yourself with the monetary gain prostitution would bring. You failed to note however how devastating prostitution is to the prostitute on a mental and physical level. More prostitutes suffer from post traumatic stress disorder than army veterans. Prostitution is more traumatic than war and in a way the mentality behind both is the same. I can't agree with this article. I think a prostitute is a victim regardless of the legality.
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