Legalization Protects the Young and Homeless
Advocates for legalization also make two further arguments. Legal registration of sex workers would be limited to adults eighteen and older. Since homeless teens are particularly at risk, this measure would presumably help keep them out of the trade. While homeless teens often fall into prostitution, legalization would also help young women trafficked into the United States; entering the underground marketplace would be made unnecessary through legalization. Legal outlets to purchase sex would decrease the numbers of trafficked teenagers and foreign nationals.
By allowing willing adults to enter the sex market and providing would-be customers safer options, those most at risk to be trafficked against their will would be protected.
A system of legal immigration is conceptualized by advocates of legalized prostitution. If an eighteen year old woman did come to the United States to participate in a brothel, she could be granted a work visa. By making the process legal, the profound moral problems associated are not resolved. But, doing so would cut down on the abusive practice of trafficking. Through a quick interview, border protection officers could determine the true intentions of the female worker wishing to enter the United States. They would be empowered to decide if she was actively pursuing her own interests or was just the victim of a crime syndicate. The argument for legalization accepts the fact that sex work will always exist. Instead of punishing or fighting it, which, as the argument follows, only makes those vulnerable individuals more vulnerable, legalization sets the goal of protecting those who are the less protected.
The major problem with legalization is simple economics: if demand is increased then supply will rise to meet it. Many experts fear that with the legalization of sex work, demand would be created that could not be filled. Without fear of being arrested, more men might see prostitution as less immoral. With no deterrence, demand would significantly increase. However, with fewer and fewer women in the United States willing to participate in this sort of work, the supply would, if anything, decrease due to stricter regulation.
Additionally, many prophesied that if prostitution were to be made legal, sex tourism would increase from international travelers, looking to the United States as a safe getaway for their activity.
Amsterdam specifically saw a rise in sex tourism after their legalization of prostitution. Amsterdam is well known for its lenient attitude toward both narcotics and sex. Due to its proximity, many Europeans visit Amsterdam each year in order to engage in prostitution without the fear of catching a sexually transmitted disease or being arrested. Many other European countries have outlawed prostitution, which makes Amsterdam the ideal destination for sex tourists. However, due to market pressure added by an increase in sex tourists, Amsterdam has had to import sex workers from around the world.
The Global Effort
Combatting Human Trafficking
The argument of how to best handle human trafficking rages on in the United States. A strong constituency thinks that we should legalize prostitution, while others believe in keeping current laws in place. The legalization of prostitution offers an array of benefits simply through industry regulation. Currently, the monetization of sex is completely unregulated (with the exceptions of a few counties in Nevada). Advocates of legalization argue that if we were able to identify and register sex workers, human trafficking would come to a complete halt. They contend that the legal system forces human trafficking in the United States underground. When people are unaccounted for, regulators cannot track what happens and protect them from harm. Every moment that continues with the current legal status quo puts thousands of girls at risk. Because of the lack of regulation, many vulnerable young women can be forced against their will to participate in prostitution. However, with legalization, sex workers would be required to register with the state and prostitution would be legally recognized and taxed. Those arguing for legalization furthermore believe it would combat the trafficking of underage girls, since the market demand would be satisfied by willing participants.
Think Progress, an advocate for legalization, argues that New Zealand changed its red light districts for the better after legalizing prostitution. Before legalization, New Zealand was home to roughly 6,000 sex workers; however, after just four years of legalization, that number fell to barely 2,000. Additionally, reports to police about abusive customers rose over 70%, and the rate of HIV was reduced by almost one-half. Although New Zealand saw great success by adopting legalization, it is important to keep in mind that New Zealand is a country with a very small population. In dealing with smaller countries, it is often easier to employ comprehensive policies. Regulation is much easier for a country with 4.4 million people and a low crime rate than a country with a large population and high crime rate. Countries like China or the United States have not taken on such a comprehensive policy and policing endeavor, while New Zealand is able to provide health care and monitor sexual activity.
Think Progress: An Advocate for Legalization
The proximity of South America poses a large threat to the legalization of sex work in the United States. Due to the primarily Catholic attitudes in Latin America, sex work is taboo. If the United States were to open up its sexual marketplace, it would see a large increase in wealthy sex tourists from all over South America traveling to the United States. This influx would create demand which the sex workers in the United States may not be able to meet. In order to fill the growing demand, the malpractice of today would continue, including the trafficking of women and young children. Additionally, with increased demand, more sex workers would be the recipients of healthcare and sexually transmitted disease screening. These costs would be catastrophically expensive for the American taxpayer. One simple solution simply does not exist, so instead the United States needs to look at new models and consider new ideas.