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Its nave to pretend that making something illegal will stop it from happening. In matters of vice, outright prohibition tends to transform it from a moral nuisance into a lucrative means of funding other illicit activities. The American prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's showed exactly how evident this is. By taking its sale and production out of the hands of law abiding producers, the government created an insatiable market ready to be tapped by those who were already involved in illegal activities. It became the backbone of organized crime, fueling the largest mob surges in American history. People still drank, but instead of drinking alcohol that's production was monitored, they drank bootleg liquor that was often made from cheap, dangerous ingredients. Instead of the profits going to taxes and presumably law abiding citizens, the money funded organized crime syndicates across the country. The government acknowledged this as a mistake and repealed the eighteenth amendment in 1933. Now, why not realize the same mistake in regards to prostitution?

One late night drive down a seedy back road in any major city will tell you that prostitution is still alive and well, despite the powers at be saying that we're not allowed. All that the laws do is push the world's oldest profession from main streets to the back alleys. While out of sight, out of mind may work for those looking down on the world from the moral high ground, it doesn't do much for the rest of the population. This underground industry is still able to flourish because although the act can be outlawed, the desire cannot. All that prostitution's illegality does it keeps the government out of the loop. Instead of being monitored and taxed, the industry simply goes on unchecked.

As a society, we can no longer ignore the fact that this still goes on. We're not stopping it, and without a pricy and grossly overzealous police campaign to put an end to it, it will continue to go on. The most logical solution is to legalize, tax, and regulate prostitution. Laws can be put in place that require prostitutes to be periodically screened for sexually transmitted infections. This would cut down greatly on the spread of many diseases currently plaguing our population. Prostitutes would be granted the protection they deserve as human beings under the law, instead of being scared to go to the police for matters such as abuse because the act from which they derive their living is illegal in itself. They would be able to form unions and get treated fairly. No person should be denied their basic human rights simply because they do something that is viewed by some as immoral. Much like the repeal of prohibition, this would also take money out of the hands of many career criminals. If it is easier and safer to sell sex legally, this will cripple the illicit sex business. Legalization will also save the US tax payers money, as well as generate revenue. Not only will less money be spent on raids and stings currently directed at stopping prostitution, but also, I'm sure a heavy vice tax will be placed on all transactions. Even if taxes drive up the price, consumers of such services are infinitely more likely to pursue them in a legal manner where they are free from the possibility of prosecution as well as much less likely to contract an STD.

The moral majority has to stop pretending that they are in any position to control the actions of free-willed, consenting adults. Its time for America to stop ignoring its problems and instead take a positive step towards a solution which benefits all involved.

Learn more about this author, Jack Myles.
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