Prostitution ought to be legalized in more areas of the United States

Sub-point 1a: Legalizing prostitution increases human trafficking. Although in certain areas of the world, this does hold true, this does not have to be the case. The red light district of Amsterdam in the Netherlands is a perfect example of the hotbed of crime that a lack of regulation around prostitution can create. With proper regulation and government action, however, these ailments can prevented. Higher levels of monitoring and regulation made by government authorities can reduce and eliminate human trafficking. If all prostitutes were required to bear licenses and go through other bureaucratic safeguards, then it would be much harder for people to be forced into prostitution as my opponent suggests. The Dutch government is actually in the process of reducing the crimes that prostitution has brought on, with some success (1). Furthermore, a large number of human trafficking occurs in poor, eastern European countries. Only one third of Dutch prostitutes are native to the Netherlands (2). Eastern European countries face unique circumstances that encourage human trafficking that most central American and north American countries do not (3). Through close regulation and steadfast application of justice, human trafficking would not be a problem in areas of the United States where it might be legalized. "Sub-point 1b: Legalizing has the problems of illegal prostitution, child prostitution. " As I have just stated, these are all problems that can be solved with proper regulation and legislature. Systems can't be designed to be perfect and pimps would sometimes find a way around whatever regulations were created, but America in this case ought not to restrict the rights of it's citizens in order to preempt the actions of other criminals. Furthermore, my opponents sources are out of date to my source 1, which describes the actions that the Dutch government is currently taking against the crimes my opponent has pointed out, with success. Sub-point 2a: Legalization of prostitution doesn't decrease sexual assault. I find my opponents continued use of the Dutch example convenient, due to the flawed nature of the Dutch prostitution system that is evident in the previous lack of regulations. Furthermore, although my opponent claims that legalization doesn't "help", he fails to state in any way how legalization could "hurt. " He presumes to say that legalization doesn't decrease violence, but also never claims that it would increase. Therefore it can be assumed that even if the claims of my opponent were true in the theoretical American prostitution system, America still ought to legalize prostitution in more areas of the US in order to grant individuals more freedom. Furthermore, if prostitution was indeed a legitimate occupation, then prostitutes would be able to seek protection from law enforcement when they are attacked by customers. Physical violence is also not unique to the sexual service industry. Workers rights has been a subject of heated debate since the industrial revolution. Injury is common in the workplace, especially for workers in high risk occupations, such as mining and construction. The difference for prostitutes is that another person is attacking them. however, legalization will protect prostitutes. An example of this is the American strip club business. Strippers engage in a service that is similar to prostitution, and are subject to sexual assault. Strippers, although, are legitimized by law, and strip clubs typically have bouncers and guards who protect the performers. The same could be done in brothels. Sub-point 2b: Legalization of prostitution does not decrease the risk of health concerns. The problem presented in this point is actually contains a presented remedy. The article claims that the problem lies within the lack of health and safety checks on the buyer side of prostitutes. This again can be remedied through regulation. One could be required to pass a health and safety check to be licensed to hire prostitutes (much like a drivers license). Furthermore, use of a condom could be legally required. "Contention 3: Legalization of prostitution hurts women"s human rights. " This is not true. Instead, legalization of prostitution promotes humans rights in general. Men and Women should enjoy the right to become, or hire the services of a prostitute if they so wish as it is the personal choice of those persons as to what they do with their bodies. Prostitution ought to be legalized in more areas in order to promote the ideal that each citizens has the right to make their own personal choices, so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of another. With proper regulation to protect the rights of those involved with prostitution, and to prevent crime, legalizing prostitution would be a step forward in human rights. Women and men should not be forced into prostitution, but they should be allowed to choose it if they so wish. Regarding the quote "it is an expression of men's control over women's sexuality", one could argue that because the men are the ones who have to pay for the sex (in most cases) that it is not exploitation, but instead women capitalizing on certain men's inability to satisfy their sexual needs, therefore putting the prostitute in the position of power. Furthermore I would like to point out that my opponent only cites the ailments of countries with legal prostitution that also have unique ailments. In the case of the Netherlands, it is the high volume of eastern European human trafficking. Taiwan is a country that is plagued by a myriad of humans rights violations esp. for labor workers. Furthermore, Taiwan is also neighbored by under-developed countries that contribute to the increased crime rate. I believe that I have sufficiently disprove my opponents contentions, or proved why they are not a problem for the US, or proved that they are easily remedied. I have also sufficiently proved that prostitution ought to be legalized in more areas of the United States. I urge that you vote for the affirmative. 1. "Half of Amsterdam's redlight windows close". The Times (London). Retrieved 27 March 2010. 2. . http://www.rnw.nl... 3. . http://en.wikipedia.org...