For this week’s discussion, I would like to explore two controversial topics that have been debated for years – prostitution and marijuana. While there are differing opinions on these issues, I would like to present my perspective on why I believe that prostitution should be banned and why I support the legalization of marijuana. I welcome your thoughts and opinions on these sensitive topics as we converse respectfully and thoughtfully.
Sanger (2015) stated that prostitution is sometimes called the “world’s oldest profession” and has been practiced throughout ancient and modern cultures. The World Health Organization defines prostitution as ‘a dynamic and adaptive process that involves a transaction between seller and buyer of a sexual service’ (Farley, 2004, p. 1089). Thus, prostitution occurs when two individuals engage in transactions that involve the exchange of sexual labor for monetary compensation, other tangible goods, or access to social privileges. From my perspective, I believe prostitution is a crime. Hayes-Smith and Shekarkhar (2010) said that prostitution is a crime because it “disrupts the order of a community.” Bakhtadze (2013) concluded that prostitution is often viewed as a crime without a victim because it is hard to see prostitutes as victims of the activity in which they decided to participate voluntarily. Thus, prostitution is a victimless crime, and this is how it differs from other crimes.
The debate around prostitution’s legality is a complex one, with some arguing for its legalization and others for its prohibition. In my opinion, both sides present compelling arguments, but ultimately, the decision should prioritize the safety and well-being of those involved in the industry. Some argue that legalizing prostitution benefits the sex workers. Ericsson (1980) argues that prostitutes have skills that enable them to provide some people with a form of happiness heretofore legally unavailable to them. Brents and Hausbeck (2005) stated that prostitution is a threat to public health because it spreads diseases, specifically sexually transmitted diseases. Based on my comprehensive research and analysis, I have concluded that there are more compelling arguments against the legalization of prostitution than there are in favor of it. Consequently, I strongly believe that legalizing prostitution is not the right approach.
I believe that prostitution must remain illegal as it goes against our moral values. It is our responsibility, as a society, to uphold these values, and legalizing them would be a step in the wrong direction. It is morally wrong to exchange one’s personal body for monetary gain. I also believe that if we criminalize and make the punishment harsher, it will deter future crime. Brents and Hausbeck (2005) said that criminalization of prostitution will deter the soliciting of such services. Brents and Hausbeck (2005) continue to argue that prostitutes are in a vulnerable position and, therefore, have a higher risk of being violently victimized. In my readings, there is a strong argument that prostitution should be illegal because prostitutes are forced into the industry, they are prone to abuse by men, and they are victims of violent crime. Hayes-Smith and Shekarkhar (2010) argued that the problem with prostitution was male lust, which lured innocent women into a harsh life of prostitution. Once women became prostitutes, it was inevitable that they would become subject to further monetary exploitation and physical abuse at the hands of their pimps and customers. Hayes-Smith and Shekarkhar (2010) argue that the institution of prostitution is inherently violent and that prostitutes are helpless victims and, therefore, need to be protected. In my opinion, policymakers need to do a better job of going after the perpetrators. Frequently, these women are kidnapped and forced to commit the act against their will. Morash (2005) said that many decriminalization supporters advocate that the ‘johns’ and pimps should receive punishment based on their attempts to exploit women.
To highlight, prostitution is a serious threat to the security of our community, and it is imperative that we make prostitution illegal to create a safe and secure environment. I argued that it should be illegal because, as Brents and Hausbeck (2005) said, prostitution has environmental effects on communities, which include the potential harm to children, disorderly public conduct, and harassment/violence against women. In other words, communities suffer from the environmental impact of prostitution, which can result in harmful effects on children, disruptions to public order, and instances of harassment or violence against women. It is crucial to address these consequences of prostitution to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities. Lastly, Bovard (1998) said that prostitution may lead to increased crime rates, which in turn hinders economic development in the community. Moreover, increased police crackdowns lead to problems such as police chases, pervasive disrespect for the law, and disorderly conduct such as condom littering in gardens (Bovard, 1998). As you can see, legalizing prostitution does more harm than good to the community. It creates an unsafe environment and leads to a higher crime rate. There are no benefits to prostitutes as they are prone to violent crimes and increase the risk of underage children into sex trafficking. Prostitution is morally wrong, and we must keep it illegal.
Marijuana decriminalization is a pivotal public policy issue that sparks intense debate due to its potential benefits and costs. While some argue that decriminalizing marijuana could lead to reduced crime rates and generate significant tax revenues, others claim that it could lead to increased drug use and negatively impact public health. As such, it is crucial to carefully weigh both the potential advantages and disadvantages of marijuana decriminalization before making any policy decisions. In my opinion, I think all states should legalize marijuana. First, I believe that the drug cost in America is too expensive. In fact, between 2013 and 2015, net spending on prescription drugs increased by approximately 20% in the United States (Walker, 2016). Also, there is growing evidence that suggests marijuana could be a beneficial treatment option for individuals with certain health conditions. The biggest component of marijuana is the THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). Barnes (2000) stated that THC is a drug that is effective at relieving nausea and vomiting in some patients being treated for cancer or AIDS, and THC is also effective at inducing appetite in some of these patients. In other words, THC is a powerful drug that can provide much-needed relief to cancer and AIDS patients. With its proven ability to alleviate nausea and vomiting, as well as increase appetite, THC is a vital tool in the fight against these debilitating diseases. Barnes (2000) also stated that there is evidence that marijuana is an effective drug for at least some patients. There is good evidence that there are no serious harmful effects from taking marijuana (Barnes, 2000).
Damrongplasit and Hsiao (2009) stated that for those in favor, decriminalizing marijuana can help reduce the resources used in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. In my personal opinion, the criminalization of marijuana is an issue that demands our immediate attention. The current response by law enforcement agencies is outdated and grossly misuses critical resources and taxpayer money. I believe it’s a waste of taxpayers’ dollars, and it’s time for us to adopt a more pragmatic and evidence-based approach that ensures public safety and health and promotes social justice and fairness. I also believe marijuana laws are non-violence laws, and we need to decriminalize it. Damrongplasit and Hsiao (2009) stated that the key benefit of decriminalization is eliminating the adverse effects of having a criminal record, and criminal charges may be too severe of a penalty for offenders who possess marijuana because it can have many negative consequences on their lives. These negative consequences are limited employment opportunities, problems with international traveling, and family disputes resulting from marijuana arrests (Damrongplasit & Hsiao, 2009).
After careful consideration, I have concluded that there are valid arguments for marijuana legalization. The substance found in marijuana has potential therapeutic benefits for patients, particularly those suffering from cancer. Given the high costs of prescription drugs in the country, it may be worthwhile to explore the possibility of legalizing marijuana. Additionally, the criminalization of marijuana may have unintended consequences, particularly for non-violent offenders. Punishing individuals in this manner can often lead to negative consequences for the community as a whole. Furthermore, it is important to consider the cost of enforcing current laws related to marijuana and whether these resources could be better allocated elsewhere.
References:
Barnes, E. R. (2000). Reefer Madness: Legal and Moral Issues Surrounding the medical prescription of marijuana. Bioethics ISSN 0269-9702, Volume 14, Number 1.
Bakhtadze, U (2013). Is Prostitution a Victimless Crime? http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2372009
Bovard, J. (1998). The legalization of prostitution. Freedom Daily. The Future of Freedom Foundation.http://www.fff.org/freedom/0998d.asp.
Brents, B., & Hausbeck, K. (2005). Violence and legalized brothel prostitution in Nevada: Examining safety, risk, and prostitution policy. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20, 270.
Damrongplasit, K and Hsiao, C (2009). Decriminalization Policy and Marijuana Smoking Prevalence: A Look at the Literature. The Singapore Economic Review, Vol. 54, No. 4, 621–644
Ericsson, L.O (1980). Charges Against Prostitution: An Attempt at a Philosophical Assessment. Ethics. Vol, 90, No. 3, 335-366.
Farley, M. (2004). Bad for the body, bad for the heart: Prostitution harms women even if legalized or decriminalized. Violence against Women, pp. 10, 1087–1125.
Hayes-Smith R and Shekarkharb, Z (2010). Why is prostitution criminalized? An alternative viewpoint on the construction of sex work. Contemporary Justice Review Vol. 13, No. 1, 43–55
Liberto, H. R. (2009). Normalizing Prostitution versus Normalizing the Alienability of Sexual Rights: A Response to Scott A. Anderson. Ethics, 120(1), 138–145. https://doi.org/10.1086/644624
Morash, M. (2005). Understanding gender, crime, and justice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Sanger, W. W. (1899). The History of Prostitution. Medical Publishing Company
Walker J. (2016). Drugmakers’ pricing power remains strong. Wall Street Journal. http://www.wsj.com/articles/drugmakers-pricing-power-remains -strong-1468488601