The Challenges of Legalizing Prostitution

Sex is a topic very controversial because many communities consider it as a taboo to discuss it in public. The situation even worsens when the money equation is involved. Perhaps, this explains why commercial sex is considered as an illegal activity. In the past decade, prostitution has been contested as policies, laws, and enforcement practices are repressive because of the ascendancy of interest groups committed to abolishing the whole sex industry. At the same time, some nations have decriminalized the act of prostitution. The book “Legalizing Prostitution” has been able to map out the current terrain and the backdrop of the whole discussion in America. Moreover, Weitzer has also looked at cities like Antwerp, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt since they are popularly recognized as the long-standing red-light districts (Weitzer, 2012).

Acknowledgments by Weitzer concerning prostitution confirm that countries are trying to criminalizing the act with the United States pioneering the move (2012). All arguments raised by the author have been fueled by the strict adherents that look at criminalization policies as empowerment paradigm, and ideological fray underlying decriminalization as legalization approaches. However, oppression theorists opine that prostitution is an act of violence to women around the globe because it brings harms to their bodies and emotions. This harm is also caused by other individuals like sex workers and the non-sex workers. Contrary to this view is the empowerment theorists who tend to portray sex workers as individuals who have entirely taken charge of the affairs of their bodies. This act of taking charge also translates down to their finances (Weitzer, 2012).

Weitzer (2012) also brings out the aspect of the world is characterized by growing sexual acts and stark economic inequalities on an everyday basis. Therefore, it is not possible to look at two individuals described as hapless victims or empowered entrepreneurs because it is a path they have chosen to take. The approach that Weitzer offers is having a “polymorphous paradigm” where prostitution has been impacted by power and structural arrangements in our society today. Nonetheless, women have an opportunity to their perceptions and experiences in a cruel world. The approach is illustrated using different geographical environments for the commercial sex workers. In this view, Weitzer has managed to describe two things: the form prostitution takes and the location of the act.

Weitzer’s arguments bring out the perspectives in the US and globally concerning prostitution (2012). On the concept of legalizing prostitution, the theoretical ground showing a comparative analysis of policy outcomes, political dynamics, and the red-light landscapes come to mind. The legalization of prostitution opens an avenue for the government to regulate the industry but the morality of making money of it is morally questionable. In many countries, prostitution is viewed as an act that needs to be abolished, and this is evident with the legal status quo fighting to save women from the sex trade. Nonetheless, sex workers are demanding higher rights, but this seems to be ignored because people want to have a society where values and principles are maintained (Weitzer, 2012).

Public-health organizations are pushing for the decriminalization of prostitution because they are looking ways of minimizing the spread of HIV and AIDS, especially in developing countries. With decriminalization, many people are bound to benefit because sex will be brought out from the underground world. The empowerment of sex workers will also be realized, and they will be able to fight for their rights. Presently, prostitution is despised, and some of those who practice it are harmed when conducting their business.


Reference
Weitzer, R. (2012). Legalizing prostitution: From illicit vice to lawful business. New York, NY: New York University Press.