Prostitution: Prohibit or Legalize? Both Sides of the Debate

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Prostitution: Prohibit or Legalize? Both Sides of the Debate

Introduction

The debate over prostitution is one that divides feminists into two groups: the Radical

Feminists who want prostitution abolished, and the Liberal Feminists who would like to see

prostitution decriminalized, and normalized in our society. Scott Anderson (2002) describes in his

essay the strong and weak points of both the radical feminists' and the liberals' arguments, with

the most positive emphasis on the radical feminists position for abolishing the institution. Nick

Larson's account of prostitution (2001) is much more objective than Anderson's, but he points

out that decriminalizing prostitution, and transforming it into a "viable service-related occupation"

(2001:62), would have many health and safety benefits for the prostitute. Both Larson and Dr.

Maggie O'Neill (1996) would like to see brothel-keeping laws removed, so that women can work

in environments with health and safety standards, and also for the protection that would come

with operating in small groups of women with mutual interests. Yvonne Abraham with Sarah

McNaught (1997) bring up valid points on either side of