As one of the world's oldest professions, prostitution has taken a new dimension on the international scope. As immoral as the act of prostitution seems, one must think of what is best for society. Our society must acknowledge that you cannot eradicate prostitution, but rather, alternatively drive it underground. Having a law that makes prostitution illegal forces more prostitutes on the streets and even worse, wandering in the dark alleys of our neighborhoods and cities. I believe that by decriminalizing prostitution, laws could focus more on protecting sex-workers and regulating the health and safety of the industry.
Prostitutes hold the greatest promise of the prevention of spreading STD's and other vulnerable diseases, once working in a safer environment. It is evidently certain that an industry without proper regulations is exposed to higher risks of infections. However, regular testing in provided health facilities, and the obliged use of protection would improve public health. .
A recent article published by The Daily Beast reports that The World Health Organization recommends the decriminalization of sex-work: "Violence against sex workers is associated with inconsistent or lack of condom use, and with increased risk of STI and HIV infections". Without a doubt, clients would be at greater ease knowing that the health of these workers we're at their full potential. Lastly, these hygienic precautions would decrease the transmission of disease in the overall public health. As legitimate work, sex work should be legal in regulated and licensed businesses to provide secured safety for sex-workers. This would repudiate under-aged prostitutes from the industry, which would to my questioning: at this point, would prostitution still be a form of exploitation or a regulated occupation? As licensed and consented adults, their work would just become like any other job, but now in a safer environment.
