Human Sexuality: Gwendolyn Plaza - Essay Example

Societal costs are difficult to measure but include the spread of disease and effects on families. Prostitution is also linked to sex trafficking, and a recent State Department brief said that prostitution, "fuel(s) the growth of modern-day slavery by providing a facade behind which traffickers for sexual exploitation operate."Regulating prostitution does not prevent the harm it causes. Proponents of regulation say that regulation will prevent the spread of disease, make for safer working conditions, and reduce sex trafficking and child prostitution. (Raymond).

Criminalizing prostitution does have a negative effect on prostitutes because prostitutes, not the pimps or the johns, are the ones who suffer. Prostitutes are the ones who are arrested and incarcerated. Prostitutes are, however, the victims of childhood abuse, violence, and/or exploitation (reference). In addition, it's the demand for prostitutes, not the supply, which drives the market. In order to stop the personal and societal harm caused by prostitution, those who pay for the services must pay the penalty.

Many people who become prostitutes have been victimized and suffered sexual abuse as children. Then they are exploited by pimps and beaten and raped by customers. For these reasons, I believe Prostitution should become illegal in every state and we should impose stiff penalties on the people who pay for such services. Only by eliminating the market can we make an impact on the personal and societal harm of "the oldest profession."