Why is prostitution considered "bad"?

Question

It is a service that fills the needs of many people so why is it so bad?

Answer 1

The justification for making prostitution illegal, usually has to do with the protection of women, and the control of sexually transmitted diseases. That could make sense if as a result of the law, prostitution completely ceased to exist.

In practice however, the fact that prostitution is illegal, normally results in the exploitation or abuse of prostitutes, and does contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Illegal prostitutes may be the target of violence or rape, and will be hesitant to contact the police. Or else, they may simply disappear, and nobody may ever know.

Similarly, by driving prostitution underground, the law effectively makes it impossible to maintain any form of sanitary control. Of course, street prostitution is the worst, since it often occurs indiscriminately, at night and in a rush.

More recently, legal scholars have opined that Roe v. Wade may legalize prostitution. If a woman has a constitutional right to decide whether or not to keep a pregnancy, why would she not have a right to use her body as she sees fit, including the right to offer it for sale (maybe "rent" would be a more appropriate term)?

Punishing the prostitute rather than the client makes very little rational sense, if the stated goal of the law was to protect the prostitute in the first place.

Insecurity
A more plausible explanation as to why society seems so bent on outlawing prostitution, is that "legitimate" sex partners or spouses may feel threatened by prostitution. Outlawing prostitution is a way for society to deal with sexual insecurity.

Another explanation may be the "puritan" theory. The fact that some people just cannot stand the fact that others have more fun than they do.

Of course, it is also well known that street prostitution is always pursued more aggressively by law enforcement. Apparently, that has to do with a true or imagined perception that prostitution decreases property values.

Economic Necessity
Some prostitutes do what they do as a way to make money on the side. It is not totally uncommon for highly attractive female college students to be in this business a few hours a week. They typically can afford to be very selective, and charge high prices. Besides for school, the money may be used for trips to Europe and other extra's.

More tragic are the women in low income situations, doing it out of pure economic necessity. Sometimes they are single mothers, who simply have not been able to find any other way to make it. Effectively, many of those women are risking their health and their lives.

This happens in a lot of places, from Cuba to India to Russia to Guatemala. But it has also been very clearly documented in many cities around the US.

These are extremely unfortunate situations. Even police officers are heartbroken when they see it. It is a situation that should make people think about policies in terms of criminalization, and about our welfare system.

Prostitution and the Bible
I would not go as far as saying that the Bible permits prostitution. But I would venture to say that the Bible is not very strongly against it. There are several instances where Jesus interacts with, and even defends prostitutes (typically called adulterous women).

Jesus saved a prostitute who was about to be stoned. He defied the Pharisees ("When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.") and sent her off with a slap on the wrist. ("Go and sin no more.") I would not be too wrong by saying that Jesus had more sympathy for her than for the Pharisees.

Jesus may actually have intended to promote respect for a class of people that is essentially dedicated to serving, and gets nothing but disdain in return.

Answer 2

Yeah that is a good question! I think too many prudes are jealous that they aren't getting laid that much so they gotta hate. People try and say all this crap about disease and drugs and all that, but you could get just as many, if not more diseases and drug habits, from any average promiscuous person. I'd bet dimes to dollars that the average ghetto freak has more viruses than a hooky. Lots of people have sex without love and it's justified. Leave the Johns and the Tricks alone. Lonely people need sex too.

Answer 3

Just because prostitution services needs does not make it good. Terrorism services a need for psyco's to blow stuff up, that doesn't make it good!

The reason for it to be considered "bad" is that it services the wickedness of mankind. Sexual activity is intended to be for, and limited only to the married individuals of our world. When we go outside of those limitations, we are committing an act that may please our flesh, but not our souls.

Our bodies can be used for so much good, why have we turned that into such lasciviousness?

Answer 4

Cause it's just nasty for the man and woman. I know I wouldn't touch a man if I found out he had been with a prostitute. I know they use protection and stuff, but still, yuck. And I'm sure it pays really good but a woman that can sell herself out like that has no self respect for herself. But if a woman is going to give it to everything that walks anyway, she might as well make some money doing it.

Answer 5

I believe most women equate sex with someone special, and marriage, and love and having children in a family setting.

Most men would not seek out a common whore for their wife nor to produce children for a family, but then again, in todays society, I am sure you will find a few who would, and judging by your question, and statement, . . . . . . .perhaps you would, but then you would be denying all the other men the service that fills the needs you speak of.

Defination of a loser, a man who has to pay for sex!

There goes my chance for 10 points, oh well, 2 will do.

Darryl S.


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Answer 6

The act of prostitution is not bad, it's the fact that ignorant people feel it objectifies women.
Also illegal prostitutes are typically abused by there pimps and don't get to keep much of the money.
Ultimately if the woman is treated right and it's her choice to be a prostitute then it's not wrong.

Answer 7

No. Prostitution is the exchange of sex for money. Marriage for most people invovles a lot more than that. Love, companionship, raising a family etc. And mundane stuff like cooking, cleaning, etc. Plus in most marriages the woman is contributing financially as well.

Answer 8

Certain religions deem it as bad and have had success in making it an illegal operation in many Western civilizations. Yet, those countries that do allow legal prostitution, infact taxing and regulating it, actually have lower crime rates with regard to rape.

Answer 9

I've asked myself this question many times: How can you take an entirely legal activity and make it illegal because money changes hands?

It is legislating morality. Another example where the laws and government stick their nose where it doesn't belong.

Answer 10

In America, founded by Puritans, it is considered bad. In Europe, it is accepted as a reality.