THE BIG QUESTION/ RESEARCH

One of the biggest questions that surrounds prostitution is whether it should be legalized or not. This topic has two sides to it the pros and the cons. Looking at both sides key points makes me feel like I'm stuck in the middle, and I don’t really know what side I mostly agree with. I have taken it upon myself to research this question to see what side I would agree with, and the reasons I why I might not agree with the other one.

    The “pro” side of this question basically sates that prostitution should be legalized. A website on controversial topics gives a pretty clear side  as to why prostitution should be legalized and why it shouldn’t. One of the reasons (ProCon.com) gives for the legalization of prostitution is because prostitution is a “victimless crime”. They describe victimless as a “crime' in the sense that no one is necessarily harmed by it is that there are consenting adults involved." The legalization of this occupation would also be victimless because it would reduce the need of women being pimped out by others, to make a quick buck. The International Labour Organization stats that most women choose prostitution for economic reasons, but they make that decision on their own. Women  would not be forced to do something they didn’t want to do so the legalization definitely helps them. Another reason they give for legalization is for taxation. If prostitution were a legal occupation the government could collect tax on it. Collecting taxes on this occupation help the government make a lot of money that is now going to illegal corporations. Health is also one of the other reasons why people would like to see prostitution legalized. The legalization would also come with regulations (health regulations). Prostitutes would have to comply with health regulations in-order to work. Having a healthier sex-industry would reduce the chances of people contracting an  STD, from prostitutes. so as it turns out there are various reasons why people would like to see prostitution legalized.
    The “con” side basically states that prostitution should not be legalized. Some of the reasons why this occupation should not be legalized are because it discourages women from getting a legal job. Another is because women are demeaned and exploited in this industry. The last reason is because crimes related to sex might be more likely to happen. The reason why this occupation discourages women from getting a legal job, is because they can make a lot of money and they get to be their own boss. The average street prostitute makes about twenty-five to thirty dollars per hour. Which is more than some people make in their legal jobs, they don’t have to work all day sure, but they have a lot more risks. They are more likely to catch diseases and are also more likely to go to jail, while working the streets that feed them. Another reason for why this should not be legalized was because it demeans ans exploits women. This is true because women are forced to work this occupation by pimps. Pimps exploit them by taking their money they have earned, and basically have them working for basic things like food and clothing. The last reason why this occupation should not be legalized is because sex related crimes might be more likely to happen. By sex related crimes they mean crimes like rape and prostitution arrest. In 2004 about 86,100 arrest were due to prostitution related offences. So I can see all the reasons why people think prostitution should not be legalized.
    After researching this topic I feel like I understand both sides of this topic, but it is a lot more clearer what side I'm on. I feel like I can related  more to why people would want to legalize prostitution. I think I agree just because the reasons given for the legalization are more convincing than the ones against legalizing it.

Sources:"Top 10 Pros and Cons - Prostitution - ProCon.org." Prostitution ProCon.org -- Should Prostitution Be Legal? Web. 08 Oct. 2011. http://prostitution.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000115.