Should Prostitution Be Legalized?

張貼日期：Jul 04, 2014 1:48:56 PM

Jen Peng

Prostitution is a controversial and sensitive topic, and sometimes it’s even a taboo to talk about. Most people may never agree with legalizing prostitution. They believe that this kind of behavior is injurious to morals and thus intolerable. However, in my opinion, it should be legalized. I will state my reasons from the aspects of history, the present situation, and the good consequences of its legalization.

From the aspect of history, it is acknowledged that prostitution was legal and flourishing in past times. And its legalization even contributed to the development of economy. Early in the ancient Spring and Autumn Period, Guanzhong started to levy a tax on sex workers. In some periods of ancient China, legal prostitution played a more important role than tax income for the nation. The significance of prostitution is it allows unfortunate but versatile ladies to meet the ambitious but ignored young men. As a result, some beautiful stories between them was passed down with the time flowing. And sometimes these so-called whores even protect the innocent and good people in the hard times, like the story in the movie The Flowers of War.

From the aspect of the present situation, prostitution is a kind of tendency and should be legalized. On the one hand, we must admit that more and more young men are prone to getting married at an older age than before, and that some of them even don’t want to get married. But they need to let out their physical desire to release pressure in life. On the other hand, competitions in modern society are sharper and sharper. There are some young, seductive and pretty girls who don’t want to have a heavy job. So they make a living with their good look and sexy body. Therefore, prostitution trade is common and almost unavoidable in every society. It is difficult to forbid the trade. And sometimes it becomes worse when governments take some measure to prevent it. Considering the issue from the functional perspective, we can see that prostitution trade is necessary in any society.

Prostitution trade should be allowed by law, for it can reduce the rape that happens a lot in our society. Besides, the transmission of the sexual disease could also be lessened. After the legalization of prostitution trade, prostitutes should be examined regularly, which does good to both the sex workers and the clients. As a result, the number of people who have sexual disease will decrease. What’s more, prostitutes who are one part of the community should be respected and protected by law. Their basic human rights must be recognized even though they make money with their body.

All in all, from the aspects of history, the present situation, and the good effects of its legalization, prostitution trade should be legalized. Legalizing prostitution trade doesn’t mean to encourage it. It means to supervise the trade in order to protect both the workers and the clients.