Labor Laws, Not Criminal Laws, Are the Solution to Prostitution

            This article focuses on how the true problem with prostitution in America is the way it is viewed and categorized by society, not the actual act itself. According to the author, Carol Leigh, laws regarding sex workings were “developed from confused and contradictory impulses, to punish and help sex workers at the same time.”  She believes the solution to this is to move the jurisdiction from criminal to labor, thus bring sex work into modern times. I’m in agreement with this idea, as I believe that reasoning behind the illegality of sex work, to protect the workers, is really just male ego’s trying to impose their will on a predominately female populated sex industry.

            The biggest criticism against abolishing the criminal standing of prostitution is that legalizing it would only increase the amount of sex workers who would be abused by both clientele and employers.  There is certainly a truth to this objection, as prostitutes are much less likely to report abuse or rape to authorities in fear of legal repercussion’s concerning their profession.  The other major objection to prostitution is that it is simply an immoral or dirty act to be involved. The body should be viewed as a sacred thing, not something that can be bought monetarily.

While these two major objections certain raise some valid points, I believe they are ultimately a product of outdated, sexist thinking. In regards to the first objection, I believe that legalizing prostitution would actually encourage those abused from the act to seek help.  While it certainly wont happen over night, if we are truly able to regulate prostitution, it will create an environment where both employers and clients alike will respect sex workers, as the legalization of it will help to encourage those abused to seek help, no longer restricted by the fear of punishment.  In terms of the second objection-seemingly the most popular objection among opponents -I view it as a product of outdated, sexist thinking.  Despite the progress that has been made in recent years, sex is still one of the more taboo topics in society, and as a result we’re predisposed to shy away from mainstreaming it.  Religion also still plays a large part in todays world, and most major religions teach that the female body is something that should be protected or covered for the sake of modesty.  These two factors have led to the female body being viewed as something sacred and worthy of “protection.”  The irony of this, however, is that it has only led to a weaker female voice in sexuality, and an increase in abuse.  There is not nearly the same level of “protection” for the male body, despite the fact that society legally recognizes both men and women as equals. 

In conclusion, I believe that moving prostitution from a criminal act to a legal act of labor will reduce abuse among those in the sex industry as well as promote overall gender equality by allowing women to regain control of their own body.