Understanding Prostitution And The Need For Reform

Notoriously referred to as the world’s oldest profession, prostitution thrives in every nation across civilizations, even in the strictest political and moral climates. In the article “Understanding Prostitution and the Need for Reform,” author Tesla Carrasquillo defines a prostitute as someone who “provides a sexual service in exchange for money.” How one defines prostitution effects how social scientists determine the origin of this profession. For example, if social scientists merely defined prostitution as the exchange of sexual acts for something of value, then “prostitution predates humans.” Animal behaviorists have observed (primarily female) primates offering sexual favors in exchange for food or protection from larger male primates.

The introduction of Christianity actually heighted the demand for prostitutes. The church considered prostitution a “necessary evil that combated rape, sodomy, and masturbation;” it acted as an outlet for male’s sexual frustration (Carrasquillo 701). However, one man began a revolution, and his name was Jesus. Although the Bible recognized prostitution as a sin, it shifted societies view on this practice. Women such as Mary Magdalene created the mindset that prostitutes were nothing more than “poor, exploited women who must be ‘saved’ rather than condemned” (Carrasquillo 702). This monumental shift created the stigma that surrounds prostitution today in many countries, such as the United States. Yes, prostitution is immoral, corrupt, and dirty, yet the women in this profession are victims of sexual

By decriminalizing the practice of prostitution, the prostitute has the greatest voice; she theoretically gets to choose her clients, her fees, and her hours. She is not beholden to the government. This legal tactic attempts to provide the greatest freedom for the prostitute in her profession while providing a safe environment in which to work. For example, Sweden has decriminalized prostitution through the enactment of their Sex Purchase Act. According to this act, the purchase of sex is illegal, but the selling of sex is not (Rayborn 131). Essentially, the act itself is still legal. In the case of arrest, the prostitute is protected but the buyer is not. A tactic such as this still instills fear in the hearts of those who wish to participate in this practice, but it also protects the prostitute—a potential victim of abuse or neglect (Rayborn