Why Prostitution Shouldn't Be Legal?

Prostitution is a world wide controversial matter that has been around for many years. Prostitution itself is an old profession, but what about it leads to controversial arguments and opposing view points from our society? The idea that prostitution poses of selling one's body in exchange for money has had a negative impact in our society since it was first introduced into our presence. The many risk factors that follow prostitution, for example HIV, are one of many problems associated with going against legalizing prostitution. However, many people feel that diseases will be less frequent with legalizing prostitution. I would like to further explore this topic throughout the course of the semester, and gain an enhanced insight involved on each opposing side's point of view towards the issue, while finding the relevant information needed to back up my ideas and theory for this particular topic.
"Prostitution is an extreme form of gender discrimination. Legalization of this violence to women restricts women's freedom and citizenship rights. If women are allowed to become a legitimate commodity, they are consigned to a second-class citizenship. Democracy is subverted"
Donna Hughes
Making the Harm Visible
There is intense debate surrounding the legalization of prostitution. Full legalization involves prostitution taking the same status as any other occupation, i.e. giving sex workers access to social security and healthcare, regulating their places and terms of employment, etc.
In many EU countries prostitution is de-criminalized, in other words, it is not a criminal offence to work as a prostitute. In the words of Hughes: "Considering the documented harm to women who are trafficked and prostituted, it is only logical that women should not be criminalized for being the victim of those abuses. Decriminalization also means that women will not fear arrest if they seek assistance and may be more likely to testify against pimps and traffickers." Hughes goes on to