Prostitution is one of the significant social problems that cause multiple debates and arguments over its acceptance or suppression in the culture. Prostitution might be considered deviant behavior because of the historical patriarchial roots where the exploitation of women has been practiced all along in different variations (Benoit et al., 2109). From the historical point of view, when the elite and bourgeois classes dominated the society, the poor population had to perform complex and damaging jobs, and sex work was no exception. Since the poorness was associated with the lack of manners, education, and vice, especially women selling their bodies were dehumanized and portrayed as immoral and indecent. Nowadays, women who do prostitution are always being penalized, charged with law violations, and receive disapproval and judgment from society. However, the cause for the perception of prostitution as a deviant behavior might be the conditions and consequences that women have to face during their work. In addition, the act of sex workers selling themselves can be viewed as a human right. The key reason why prostitution should be reclassified as non-deviant is to provide people involved in the job with protection, equality and reduce social injustice and discrimination towards minorities.
Prostitution is one of the oldest professions ever existed n the world. As centuries passed, the attitude towards women practicing this hardy became better, and it was time to take measures (McKinley, 2019). Thus, the position of women is not in the best possible place because their mental and physical health, well-being, reputation, and safety are in danger. While some significant part of the population experiences unpleasant conditions, the society cannot flourish and develop properly (Pruitt, 2108). For instance, in a survey conducted in 2003 in New Your City, 80% of the female participants claimed that they have regularly faced violent actions against them, and the police did not show any initiative to help (North, 2019). Considering the possible implementations of policies to protect the sex workers and charging the clients, there still might be unpredictable outcomes (The Economist, 2021). Instead of reducing prostitution as a job, there can be an increase in sex work due to its social acceptance and legalization. Therefore, erasing the existing problem might cause the new one, which negatively influences society and women.
References
Benoit, C., Smith, M., Jansson, M., Healey, P., & Magnuson, D. (2019). “The prostitution problem”: Claims, evidence, and policy outcomes. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 48(7), 1905-1923. Web.
Pruitt, M. (2018). The social implications of prostitution. Sociology Class Publications. Web.
McKinley, J. (2019). Could prostitution be next to be decriminalized? The New York Times. Web.
Prostitution in America: How to bring sex work out of the shadows. (2021). The Economist. Web.
North, A. (2019). The movement to decriminalize sex work, explained. Vox. Web.