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Societal Effects of Prostitution

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What would be the consequences for society if we could effectively halt the practice of prostitution?
Should we do this even if we could?
Could prostitution ever by organized such that it did not result in the exploitation of women?

If you cite work please list so I can follow up and continue my research for this topic.

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Solution Summary

In defining what the consequences of society would be one must first understand that the discussion is always centered on the illegal and uncontrolled act of prostitution as expressed in first paragraph. The problem of prostitution has been one which truly has been in existence for thousands of years. Additionally, governments from Ancient Rome to modern day America have laws regarding prostitution. For example in ancient Rome a prostitute or pimp (person who sells the services of a prostitute) could not hold a senate seat and were often excluded from religious orders. (2) This is the foundation for exclusion from society yet by mandating laws regarding what prostitution is and is not society automatically includes it as a societal function.

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Prostitution comes in many forms and facets in order to understand prostitution let's look at the definition for Prostitution. Prostitution is defined as; the act or practice of engaging in promiscuous sexual relations especially for money or the state of being prostituted (debasement). (1) The definition clearly indicates that it can be for something other than sex. The definition then turns to a sex act, would topless dancers be considered prostitutes? Therefore, if a women or man have sex with a superior to gain a position or more money, or if a wife or husband have sex in order to get a new car or bowling ball; would this be prostitution?

In defining what the consequences of society would be one must first understand that the discussion is always centered on the illegal and uncontrolled act of prostitution as expressed in first paragraph. The problem of prostitution has been one which truly has been in existence for thousands of years. Additionally, governments from Ancient Rome to modern day America have laws regarding prostitution. For example in ancient Rome a prostitute or pimp (person who ...

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