Prostitution should be legalized in the United States

When I accepted this debate I was familiar with, but personally neutral to, the issue. Now, after some research, I am vehemently against prostitution in any form, and I have this debate to thank for this change in my personal position.2) PRO "urg[es] you all not to listen to new arguments" even though PRO has proffered several of his own this round. Misconduct!3) PRO has accused me of making "several attacks on [PRO's] character during this debate". Untrue, I merely stated that PRO is "fabricating inane rules and regulations," "unreasonably restrict[ing] the scope of [CON's] arguments," and is "no longer arguing in good faith," all of which I will reassert. Misconduct! Strawman!4) Caste system is irrelevant. Untouchables can't touch any other caste, yet for some reason, untouchable Devadasi can become high ranking brahmin prostitutes? There is no logic in PRO's assertion. The real reasons are gender inequality and economics.5) Reviewing my opponent's closing statement, I conclude that PRO has no case - his entire case now rests on refuting my arguments, so I will simply reassert them:The case is simple. The US and Canada have similar views and traditions. Regarding prostitution, it is ILLEGAL AND HIGHLY ENFORCED - PRO's own source cites how Canada's brothels were legalized LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO. [1] The US and Canada currently enjoy a high level of gender equality, ranking #4 and #14 respectively. [2] Canada is only now experimenting with laws legalizing prostitution. Korea and India do NOT have similar views and traditions, neither between each other nor with the US and Canada. Yet Korea and India do have one thing in common - a long tradition of prostitution. Both Korea and India also have gigantic gaps in gender equality - Korea is ranked #109, and India #124. [2] Women who cannot find adequate work because of the gender gap are forced by economic circumstances into prostitution. Prostitution being what it is - non-productive, non-contributive to society - does not do much to advance society. This fuels further misogyny, a larger gap in gender inequality, and more prostitution. This is the negative feedback loop. The difference between the US/CAN and Korea/India is that that US/CAN has a long history of PROSTITUTION BEING ILLEGAL. Once it is legal, all it would take is one economic downturn. Women, who earn less than men even in the US, will be hit hardest. If prostitution is legal, women may turn to it. Gender equality then materializes, as men pay disadvantaged women to have sex with them. Women slowly concentrate less on productive jobs and more on prostitution, the easy money. Gender inequality gets reinforced. This is the negative feedback loop. How do I know this? Because this is EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN KOREA AND INDIA. Korean businessmen openly engage with prostitutes while on the job. [3] Think about what a Korean businesswoman would be doing during this escapade, and you can see why Korea ranks BY FAR THE LOWEST IN GENDER EQUALITY out of all OECD countries. [2] PRO's two most prominent examples are India and Canada. Indian Devadasi are sold into child slavery as young as four years old. Canada has similar traditions to the US, illegal prostitution and high levels of gender equality. PRO's examples strengthen CON's case. PRO accuses me of stoking fear. This is not an accusation, this is a fact. I am also afraid of jumping off 100 story buildings and swimming with crocodiles, because the likelihood of death is high. Similarly, I am afraid of legalizing prostitution, because the chances of a huge regression in gender equality are also high. Finally, just use your common sense. Look at your mother, your daughter, your wife, your sister. Do you EVER want to see them as prostitutes? Common sense. Vote CON. (out of room)[1] goo. gl/U6bPZ [2] . http://www3.weforum.org...;[3] . http://www.atimes.com...