Why is prostituion illegal? I always thought it was because the government couldn't get a cut.?

Question

I don't judge anyone or their lifestyle. If a person wishes to profit from their own then why not? All I could think of was that the government wouldn't be able to tax it. I would like to know the solid reason behind why prostitution was made illegal. Prostitution has been around since the beginning of time along with sexually transmitted diseases( which I don't understant why this even comes up in the prostitution argument). So why? Why limit someone's life? Pornography is legal... probably because the government is seeing some of the profits. If the government wishes to end prostitution then the first step is to end pornagraphy(again which I have nothing against). It leads to prostitution. A person sees this and that it's a way to profit very well then they will start the first place they can.. clubs, the streets, their own backyard, etc. I'm just looking for a solid reason that's all. All information is welcome!

Do you think that's the main reason why recreational drugs are illegal? Like the same reason the FDA is such a Witch when it comes to calling something a "drug." Having to pay a ridiculous price to them to sell it as a medicine.

Thanks for the responses, people.

Answer 1

It's legal in Nevada.

Answer 2

The same reason recreational drugs are illegal (except for alcohol).

Most communities wouldn't tolerate the legality of such activity.

Nevada (except for Las Vegas and Reno) has legalized prostitution and you can bet (no pun intended) that the government gets their cut.

The other option would simply be to decriminalize these types of activities. Government then isn't in a position of condoning such behavior (to get tax revenue) but also recognizes that it's better to not to make criminals out of otherwise law-abiding citizens.

Think about it. If you decrim prostitution, it becomes what it is. An exchange of money for a service between adults.

Answer 3

There's many good reasons why prostitution is illegal.
Almost all prostitution is driven by drug addictions and abuse. The Government has been given authority to make and declare laws based on what they think is best for the country. Prostitution is also a MAJOR spread for AIDS and other dangerous diseases. One could make the argument that it's a simple business exchange between two adults, but in real life, it's never that simple.

Answer 4

Prostitution is illegal in most places because of all the problems that are associated with legal prostitution. These would include abuse of the prostitutes, drug use, and other crimes associated with prostitution. Prostitution can also give a community or state a negative image, lowering property values and negatively impacting the state or local economy. While I would agree that tax revenue does play some role in keeping prostitution illegal, there are other reasons as well.

Answer 5

Most Americans believe in "mind your own business."

Unfortunately, that adage makes them less likely to vote.

But busybodies love to vote on other people's sex lives.

"Originally, prostitution was widely legal in the United States. Prostitution was made illegal in almost all states between 1910 and 1915 largely due to the influence of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union which was influential in the banning of drug use and was a major force in the prohibition of alcohol."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution#18th_century_to_present

Answer 6

The government could get a cut of whatever the hell they wanted. Prostitution is illegal because far too many people think it's immoral and would cause a lot of problems for anyone who got involved. Kind of like alcohol...it's legal, but there are a lot of strange laws, strict laws, because the bible thumpers want to make it as difficult as possible to get.

Answer 7

The religious right puritans who think that they can control everyones lives.