To those who say that prostitution is the 'oldest profession' it should be pointed out that harmful traditional practices have a long history. They do not just happen in poor countries where women are officially prohibited from equal opportunities, many are cross-cultural. Prostitution is a good example of how such harmful practices are for the benefit of men and justified in men's ideologies, how they are said to be 'chosen' by women, how they can be profited from. There is no possibility of women's freedom internationally whilst women are offered up to men, with the connivance of state governments, as objects with 3 orifices for use, irrespective of their pleasure or personhood. Whilst prostitution exists, not only are the women in it directly abused but the status of all women is damaged.
Prostitution constructs notions of what sex is, what women are, and what is appropriate for women.
The male abusers have wives whose marriages and lives are often severely damaged when they discover their husbands' behaviour. Those who seek to justify prostitution by saying that this is best for the women who are suffering in the industry need to understand that this is not the case. Legalization is the basis for the creation of a massive international industry created out of a viciously abusive traditional practice and the subordination of women. As the industry grows more and more women become the victims of abuse. It is important not to go down this path.