by Kevin Southard

Created on: November 02, 2009   Last Updated: November 03, 2009

I have read several articles debating both sides of this issue. No, prostitution should not be legalized. The legalization of prostitution will bring a significant rise in the spreading of aids and other sexually transmitted diseases. Yes there are huge medical ramifications, but there are other issues to consider.

The increase in divorce rates in this country due to infidelity would be astonishing. But, in my opinion an even more significant implication and moral issue that people aren't even acknowledging. We need to consider our children. The legalization of prostitution would undoubtedly cause an overwhelming increase in the high school drop-out rate.

It is currently reported that in the United States, 1 out of 5 students drop out of school during their high school career. If we add the legalization of prostitution to the dilemma, that number will double or even triple within the first year. Why? The ease of making money.

We teach our children that in order to succeed in life and to obtain a high paying job capable of supporting a family, they must graduate high school and attend college. If our children begin to see prostitution as an alternative, both young men and young women would see that they could possibly earn a high five or even a six figure income per year, just by performing sexual favors for clients two or three hours a day, rather than spending seven to eight grueling hours in school, then after graduation, eight to ten hours at work each day to earn a menial $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 a year.

They would begin to wonder why they should even bother with school and working at an honest job. We must also concern ourselves with the drop-out rate due to an increase in teen pregnancy. No matter what the up sides are to legalizing prostitution, the negatives are way too great to consider.

Yes we can design laws so that a person will have to obtain a license after they graduate, reach legal age and even require them to get bi-annual physicals and such. But, as everyone knows there would be ways to get around all of these obstacles.

People can argue all they want to but, we have the health and safety of our children and their children to consider. Let's not doom the generations to come with such an appalling piece of legislation such as this.

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