Prostitution is a major issue throughout the United States of America. Although illegal in all but certain regions in the State of Nevada, prostitution still exists in all places. According to Webster’s Dictionary, prostitution is “The act or practice of indulging in promiscuous sexual relations especially for money.” Social, economic and political aspects regarding prostitution raises concerns for many Americans. Prostitution through time has not changed as the human biological and anatomical need for sex has not changed much over the years.

The history of prostitution in the United States dates back to the late eighteenth century, in the Louisiana Territory, owned by the French. The French government exiled many of France’s prostitutes to New Orleans and other parts of the Louisiana Territory. The prostitution industry flourished in the territory. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the Louisiana Territory was ceded to the United States. The United States gained all the territory at three cents an acre, but also gained the problems with prostitution within the territory. In 1897-1917, brothels were legalized in New Orleans. Although illegal, prostitution was also flourishing in many parts of the United States, from major metropolises such as New York City and Chicago to saloons and outposts in the west, during the 1800s.

To the majority of the outside world, prostitution is unethical. Conservatives tend to oppose prostitution, as it is considered immoral. Although sexual advances flow with human nature, engaging in sexual intercourse with a person, usually a stranger, in exchange for money is abnormal. Usually traumatic and abusive childhood situations lead to the choice of such occupations. Rarely do people with healthy childhood situations turn to such professions even during extreme financial crisis.

The average prostitute is a woman from a low-income household and has faced a violent family background. However, it is true prostitutes can come from all socioeconomic classes. A typical prostitute has little education and is usually a high school dropout. Some start their career as early as 11, or once the prostitute has reached puberty. Some slang names for prostitutes are whore, harlot, strumpet, hoe, hooker, hussy, loose woman, slut, trollop, streetwalker and tart.

In 1994, a former prostitute in Palm Beach County, Florida filed a lawsuit against Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth (Democrat) in an effort to challenge Florida’s laws against prostitution. Jane Roe II, the plaintiff, stated that if a woman had the right to an abortion, then she should also have the right to sell her body for sexual purposes. This lawsuit did not succeed.

Today, within the United States, prostitution is legal in twelve of seventeen counties in the State of Nevada, outside of the major metropolises. There are thirty-five legal licensed brothels in Nevada. Legal prostitutes are organized into organizations, which seem to resemble labor unions affiliated with AFL-CIO. However, throughout the United States and the world, prostitution exists illegally. In a common situation, each prostitute has a manager, also known as a pimp. The manager’s scope of work it to provide security and transportation. He makes sure nothing abusive impacts the prostitute, his moneymaking tool. The manager transports the prostitute, usually to motels where sexual intercourse is usually engaged. He also makes sure law enforcement does not catch the prostitute. In exchange for the services, the manager usually takes a share of the prostitute’s income and lives off it. These royalties range from sexual intercourse to up to 100% of the prostitute’s income. Managing a prostitute as a pimp is illegal throughout the United States.

There have been cases of corruption in which a police or sheriff also acts as a manager for the prostitute. In this situation, the officer, who is supposed to enforce the law, doesn’t do so. Commonly, the officer has been entrusted to enforce the law for prostitution, yet he doesn’t do so. Instead, he takes part in breaking the law. Yet, in front of his superiors and co-workers, the officer would keep any relationships with prostitutes concealed, until one of his co-workers become suspicious.

The future of prostitution will remain legalized and regulated in the designated areas. The legal brothels in Nevada have little to no cases of HIV/AIDS transmissions in its operations, as sexual intercourse is only allowed with contraceptives. Thus, the legality of brothels in Nevada is not an issue in terms of health and sanity. The complexity of the American system of law makes it difficult for any changes in the near future. The main argument is that prostitution usually leads to crimes and drug use, which does not create a positive environment for the United States.

There are currently some potential compromises to this issue and may be utilized in the future. In the Great Britain, the woman’s right to sell her body for sexual purposes is legal. Running a brothel, soliciting and pimping is not. This ensures the woman the rights she is entitled to, but regulates prostitution. Another solution is possibly creating more zones like the twelve counties in Nevada that allows prostitution, but with great regulation. This has been adapted in Nevada for over thirty years and it seems to work. Germany, the Netherlands and several countries in the Asia-Pacific also regulate prostitution in this manner. Yet opponents to regions will say these zones will turn into slums with excessive crime rates and drug use. The use of contraceptives, like condoms, may lead to fewer diseases from being spread from client to prostitute and vice versa. Some people aren’t attracted to this compromise, as they do not wish to use contraceptives during sexual intercourse. Some clients will offer extra money to the prostitute if a condom is not used and it would be difficult to regulate the use of condoms and other contraceptives. Thus, following the British crown’s response to this issue seems to be the best compromise for both conservatives and liberals.

Prostitution exists everywhere, throughout the United States and the world. The United States is one of the few nations with laws directly against prostitution. Other nations indirectly deal with prostitution through control of public solicitation and the exploiting of prostitutes. HIV/AIDS is also a high risk factor involved in the occupation. All in all, prostitution should be regulated carefully by local jurisdictions, while allowing it to prevail through capitalism.

Works cited
” Legal Brothels in Nevada (sidebar).” Issue & Controversies. 8 Aug 1997. Facts On File News Services. 20 Jan. 2006 < http://www.2facts.com/ICOF/Search/ib201740.asp>
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. 21 Jan. 2006 < www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=prostitution>
Pinsky, Drew. “Loveline.” Loveline. Westwood One Productions, Los Angeles. Broadcast.
“Prostitutes’ Organizations (sidebar).” Issue & Controversies. 8 Aug 1997. Facts On File News Services. 20 Jan. 2006 .
“Prostitution.” Issue & Controversies. 9 Jan 2000. Facts On File News Services. 20 Jan. 2006
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