Should Prostitution Be Banned or Accepted in Society - Essay Example

Prostitution Prostitution Introduction Humans have been created to be social beings in nature; in this case, they are naturally relational, having the ability to interact freely in their lives. The concept of male and female exists so that people can relate and become married, in particular for reasons of procreation (Bloom, 2009). One of the things that comes with marriage is people practicing sexual activity in order to have children and continue their generations. Beside this, some people have deviated from the concept of marriage and instead, they prefer taking part in prostitution. In this case, they do not prefer settling in marriage, but rather prostituting around. Prostitution, as practiced by some people, is the act of being involved in sexual relations for getting financial gains or other favors. In many instances, prostitution is often regarded as commercial sex (Cornwall, 2008). People that are often involved in the business of prostitution are referred to as prostitutes; in this case, they are described as sex workers. It is important to note that prostitution is one of the significant branches in the sexual industry. From one country to another, the legal position regarding prostitution keeps varying. In this case, the issue of prostitution is sometimes permitted and unregulated, while in other places it is a criminal offense, which warrants prosecution in the court of law. Forms of Prostitution Prostitution, as practiced in some parts of human societies, takes place in different forms. Brothels are those establishments set aside specifically for commercial sex and related activities (Lankford, 2008). On the other hand, escort prostitution happens at the residence of the client or in places such as hotels or lodgings, which is often described as out-call. Alternatively, it may take place at the residence of the escort or a place rented and set aside for this activity. In this case, the in-call becomes the person who rents the premise. Street prostitution forms another kind of prostitution in which the prostitutes engage in sexual activities from the streets (Lankford, 2008). It is important to realize that in many instances, prostitution has often been associated with females, with males being the clients. However, this has changed significantly with the rise of cases of gay males and lesbians taking part in prostitution activities in some of the cities across the world (Rathus, Nevid & Rathus, 2010). Currently, some people have found prostitution to be a lucrative and important leisure activity, such that those that have money often travel to different places in order to enjoy sexual relations, what is referred to as sex tourism (Roleff, 2006). Sex tourism involves travelling from one place to another in order to take part in sexual activities with different prostitutes. Rich clients in different cities and countries often prefer signing contracts with prostitutes for the exchange of sexual relations. Some of these contracts can even take many years, with each of them being at liberty to terminate the contract subject to terms and conditions (Roleff, 2006). Medical Issues Associated With Prostitution In many instances, prostitution has often been associated with the prevalence of different kinds of STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). The failure to use condoms in most of these sexual activities by the prostitutes has been described as the major factor that leads to the increase of HIV and other infections across sections of society (Rathus, Nevid & Rathus, 2010). For this reason, various campaigns have been set forth to educate prostitutes and their clients to use condoms and associated forms of safe sex to limit the spread of HIV and STIs transmission. Beside HIV and other STIs, prostitutes, especially women, are often faced with unwanted pregnancies, which they are not ready to carry. Many of the young girls that involve in prostitution and become pregnant decide to procure abortion. However, in many instances, this process has often faced huge problems with many of them ending with various health issues that affect their ability to conceive later in their marriages. Many abortion activities that have been poorly managed have seen women lose their cervix (Lankford, 2008), which makes it impossible for them to have successful marriages. Other associated effects of prostitutions include various irritable bowel syndromes and incidences of permanent disability among the prostitutes. Besides medical conditions, prostitution also results in different forms emotional of and health consequences. Some of these emotional consequences include stress, trauma, depression, anxiety and other related conditions (Grana, 2002). Most of the young women and men that join this activity willingly and unwillingly are sometimes confronted by self-guilt and condemnation. It is important to understand that not all people who involve in prostitution have done so by their own volition (Roleff, 2006). The economic and social constraints that force them into these practice makes them regret especially when they contract HIV and other kind of STIs. Most of the people that take part in prostitution end up using hard drugs like cocaine and alcohol among others. Most of the prostitutes have been found to be at the highest risks of suicide, self-mutilation and even homicide (Rathus, Nevid & Rathus, 2010). According to various studies conducted to examine the effects of prostitution on these prostitutes, at one point in their lives, they had tried to commit suicide or injured themselves in various ways. Medical reports from doctors and other social health workers have noted that some women that take part in prostitution suffer from broken bones, extreme trauma, stress and severe chronic pains especially if their clients who pay no attention to their health concerns but want value for their money did the sexual activities forcefully (Grana, 2002). It is often said that these women are very vulnerable to most of these problems because some of them can serve up to five people in a single night. This is very detrimental to the health, in many instances, besides getting HIV and STIs, these people often put themselves at the risk of contracting cancer of the cervix, pelvic and even prostate for the men. Despite these multiple health and medical consequences associated with prostitution, a great debate has ensued over whether the habit should be legalized or prohibited in order to help parties involved reduce the health risks associated with the practice (Roleff, 2006). While some people have been of the idea that it should be abolished and done away with, some have explained that it is a business like another other, which governments can put legal structures in place so that it can tax this people for income. Should Prostitutions Be Banned or Accepted in Societies? The concept of legalizing or decriminalizing prostitutions has remained very controversial. The issue elicits mixed reactions and varying perspectives from different sections of people in the society, with some terming it as the best strategy to control human trafficking and other related acts perpetuated by people who engage in these activities for the reason of prostitution. Arguments for legalizing prostitution Proponents of the concept of legalizing prostitution argue that it would reduce incidences of rape for women. This is because, people will know the best way to handle and control their sexual feelings, with clearly outlined procedures for seeking the services of prostitutes and not forcing them into sexual activities without their volition (Hock, 2007). Additionally, legalizing prostitutions will give the government another alternative to increasing its income base; this is because, the government will be made to tax the commercial sex workers. The proponents argue that legalizing the practice will be a source of employment to most women and men that cannot find formal employment in companies and other business organizations because they lack knowledge and skills among other important requirements. Another reason given for legalizing prostitution is the fact that abortion has been legalized under certain conditions. In this case, prostitution can also follow suit through enactment of legal provisions to guide its practice. In this case, the government will manage to save on other costs like prisons, because some crimes associated with sexual activities will now be done under the laid down legal structures. Arguments against Prostitution Those who argue against prostitution cite various medical conditions that prostitutes face in their practice of prostitution. Prostitution leads to transmission of STIs and HIV, both of which have serious health conditions including death. In this case, legalizing it would mean that the government loses much of its desired human resources to work in industries. Additionally, prostitution is said to come with various social evils like rape, defilement, drug abuse and other forms of violence, legalizing it will therefore mean that the government opens up a route for more social evils, thus destroying the moral fabric of the society (Dorais & Corriveau, 2009). People that take part in prostitution are often regarded as immoral and lacking in moral values. For this reason, the government has a duty to safeguard the society’s economic, social and moral fabric through banning some activities like prostitution. In fact, it has to abolish it completely and prosecute people found in violation of this order. References Bloom, H. (2009). Human sexuality. New York, NY: Blooms Literary Criticism Cornwall, A. (2008). Development with a body sexuality, human rights and development. London: Zed Books Dorais, M., & Corriveau, P. (2009). Gangs and girls understanding juvenile prostitution. Montréal, Québec: McGill-Queens University Press. Grana, S. (2002). Women and (in) justice: The criminal and civil effects of the common law on womens lives. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Hock, R. (2007). Human sexuality. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall Lankford, R. (2008). Prostitution. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press/Gale Cengage Learning Rathus S, A, Nevid J, S & Rathus S, F. (2010). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity (case), Books a la Carte Edition (8th Ed). New York, NY: Pearson Publishers. Roleff, T. (2006). Prostitution. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Read More