by JT Roberts

Created on: July 31, 2009

Western civilization has harshly diminished the ancient art of a courtesan to that of a common prostitute. America's religious piety reduces the courtesan's talents to the sole service of sexual favors, in exchange for money or gifts. Religious institutions as well as political climates have deemed sex for hire immoral.

Society must first address the issue of sex as an entirety. Private sexual relationships between two consenting adults are not illegal acts. Sex, therefore, does not define the body and the self i.e. (she/he is selling themselves). This means sex as a profession must be treated like all other occupation: A person's livelihood does not define them. A skilled surgeon sells the skill of his hands and knowledge. Since knowledge and his hands don't define the body or self he is compensated appropriately for his talents to heal. A Prostitute using her body and knowledge to service the emotional and physical needs of a client is engaging in a profession not defining her "self". An example: "A prostitute will always be a prostitute. They are untrustworthy." Her profession is prostitution. She is someone's daughter, sister, mother or friend. She may also be an accomplished designer, painter, poet or athlete. Like all humankind, she is a person first.

In the early 1900's, religious leaders and politicians decided it was their jurisdiction to determine when a sexual act was considered moral or immoral. Neither of these social divisions have any authority or right to determine morality. Our judicial system is best designed to address issues of child abuse, human trafficking, illegal drug use and indecent public displays of street prostitution as well as other crimes associated with an illegal market.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia's definition of Prostitution follows: Practice of engaging in sexual activity, usually with individuals other than a spouse or friend, in exchange for immediate payment in money or other valuables. Prostitutes may be of either sex and may engage in either heterosexual or homosexual activity, but historically most prostitution has been by females with males as clients. Prostitution is a very old and universal phenomenon; also universal is the condemnation of the prostitute but relative indifference toward the client.

A prostitute strictly offers sexual services. She/he is not required to posses other skill or talents outside of performing sexually. She/he is an end to the means of pure gratification. There are no relationships

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