Are there any social functions of prostitution?

Question

this was a question asked in my sociology class. I cannot think of any. Any help? How does this benefit society?

Answer 1

I can not see any functions. Those trying to be funny will say it is a benefit for the unattractive and other sarcastic BS like that. But, if you give it serious thought, I don't think you could fine any true functions or benefits.

Answer 2

I believe the provide an important service. There are alot of men and women out there who don't have a sex life, for what ever reason. Maybe the spouse has a serious or terminal illness, maybe they never felt comfortable with sex in general. Sex for money is a business transaction, and alot of people use prostitutes, because they just want sex not an emotional relationship. It has been around since the cave man days, when the male killed and brought home food to the cave, sex for food.
I think it should be legal , tax the crap out of it and let these hard working ladies make some honest money and come out of the back streets, they provide a very important service. If you look at the research, they that more and more young business men use prostitutes because they do not have room in there lives for a relationship at that piont.

Answer 3

Prostitution definately has social functions--which is NOT the same as saying that it benefits society.

This is a bit off topic--but I want to make the difference clear--it is important to usnderstanding how prostitution functions: Here's an example of function that is not beneficial:

In theOld South, the segregation laws served to keep black people at low incomes, excluded from voting and highprestige professions. This was NOT what anyone could consider beneficial--but it was VERY functional--for the white elite, who were able to retain and monopolize power, money, and prestige.

Prostitution does not (in my opinion ) serve any beneficial function--but it DOES very definately serve to maintain male privilege and domination in society. Y/A is way too limited to try to explain this fully--but here's a few points to give you the general idea:

First--the existance of prostitution serves to discredit women. More to the point, it creats the basis for defining "good" women a s those who are married--and subordinate--to men. Second, it serves to provide men with a way of exercising power over women--the old "double standard." Men who avail themselves of illicit sex (married or not) are tolerated or encouraged--but women who do not subordinate themselves in marriage are subordinated in prostitution as "criminals," "immoral," etc. The net effect is to give men controlof women--and of sexuality.

Thisis a complex issue--there's a lot more to the issue. But hopefully I've made the point: prostitution functions to help create/maintain male domination and privilege (along with several other social institutions). It's not good for society--but it functions as one factor supporting patriarchy.

Answer 4

There is a sociological and psychological function of prostitution both for the prostitute and the client.

I have known men who had no other female contacts than the whores that they went to. I have know people who if they did not see prostitutes, they had NO human interaction.

Some people cannot have meaningful relationships with anyone.

Answer 5

In Amsterdam, where prostitution is legal, and regulated in a similar manner as the Food Industry, there are many varieties of prostitutes. Many are very social, and highly respected.

Courtesans came and went in the very highest of aristocratic circles in Versailles' Sun King days, and still do.

There is something to be said of open-mindedness in this world.

Answer 6

prostitution benefits society because it provides a group of
people with one of humans most basic needs: closeness to
another human beeing and sex. Imagine the cost for society
if this sexual energy is completely suppressed. It has to come out in other ways, but it will surely not be good ways ( rape,depressions,violence etc.)

Answer 7

When legal (think Europe), prostitution can provide the financial resources necessary to move up in society (paying for schooling, supporting a child etc...). If prostitution did not exist, this same (likely unskilled) class might look to crime to acquire those same financial resources.

Answer 8

Escorts, call girls, swingers and street callers. Those are all I can think of. They bring in fast money depending on their location and how well they present themselves.
King Midas was saying how others point their fingers at them but they (Catholic Church and others) are doing wrong and they are not an example in the public eye.
I know that everybody have to answer for themselves or give an account to a Higher Being for what they do with their lives.

Answer 9

If there wasn't it would not be the world's oldest profession. It is an employment opportunity. Two, it provides a social service.

Answer 10

Yes, like porn stars on the web it provides employment, because everyone isn't suited for college or have the patience to work in fast food.
My pet peeve is when judgmental people always bring up morals and AIDS. Can you say Catholic Church and the republican party they are real role models aren't they.