Known as the “world’s oldest profession,” prostitution, the act of engaging in sex for money, is not considered an honest form of employment in the United States, even though it normally involves two consenting adults. However, generating over $55 billion in the U.S alone, the industry “generates more annual revenue than credit unions, casino hotels, and sporting goods stores(Source 2).” So how is it that something people put so much money into is illegal? Many people see it as being immoral, harmful, and “a last resort.” (use quotation marks only if quoting from a source--if not, then use italics to emphasize what you are saying) Arguments against the legalization of prostitution say that prostitution leads to violence and trafficking. However, it is actually true that the decriminalization, regulation, and licensing of prostitution will create safer …show more content…
The spread of STDs is not an unknown effect of the prostitution industry. However, if prostitution is legalized then this can be reduced. In Rhode Island, “the statewide incidence of gonorrhea declined by 39 percent” (Source 4) when prostitution was legal. Removing the criminal penalties of the trade can aid in eliminating the spread of STDs. Prostitution could be treated as any other form of employment with economic benefits. Mandatory registration and regular health checks should be required of sex workers in order to slow the spread of STDs from the industry. The major penalties of the industry should be during cases in which a sex worker knowingly spreads a sexually transmitted disease to a client. But for the women who have considered the health risks from this chosen this form of work, and is regularly checked, there is no point in not allowing them to freely do what they know will make them money in order to survive(revise). Anyone who chooses to become a part of or indulge in prostitution should already know about the possibility of getting