Sex For Survival: Prostitution, Poverty, and Inequality

Abstract

For this topic, there has been a significant amount of work directly on prostitution and the accompanying theoretical or moral arguments. My aim is to analyze the different arguments on prostitution policy and select the one I believe is most conducive with alleviating poverty and respecting the dignity of every person. In sum, the three major suggestions I will look at are: criminalization of both parties involved, partial decriminalization, and full decriminalization. From current research and work experience, I support the partial decriminalization in favor of the "seller." The intersectionality of the topic will intertwine race, poverty, power relationships, and gender related issues to give a holistic view of sexual exploitation. It is ineffective to address prostitution by viewing it as its own isolated problem. [From introductory section]