SAMANTHA MAY S.

PABUSTAN BSEd – English 2C

EM 8: Survey of Afro-Asian Literature MW: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Position Paper Against Legalizing Prostitution:

Safeguarding Society’s Values and Vulnerable Individuals.

Prostitution is the act of having sexual relations with another person for payment. (Wex Definitions
Team, 2020). It means that prostitution refers to the exchange of sexual services for acts of money, goods,
or other compensation. It can take various forms and occur in different settings, including on the streets, in
brothels, through escort services, or even online platforms, and many more (ProCon, 2008). It is a deeply
divisive issue, marked by strong arguments both for and against its legalization or decriminalization. This
paper takes a firm stance against prostitution, emphasizing the moral, ethical, and social concerns that arise
when we consider this practice. It asserts that such a move would undermine societal values, promote
exploitation, and fail adequately protect vulnerable individuals.

In the Philippines, prostitution is illegal under the Revised Penal Code, Article 202, which only applies
for women in engaging sexual work (NSWP, 2021). This legal provision addresses offenses related to
vagrancy and prostitution in the Philippines. The article includes provisions related to the distribution and
exhibition of indecent and immoral content. Prostitution is a gift to pimps, traffickers, and the sex industry
(Ekberg, 2007). It suggests that these individuals profit from the vulnerability and desperation of sex
workers, often through coercion, deception, or outright force. In this view, prostitution can be a means for
these exploitative actors to generate income. A significant portion of individual in the sex industry are not
there by choice but are driven by economic necessity. Legalization or normalization of prostitution fails to
adequately protect the most vulnerable individuals. The marginalized and disadvantaged are at greater risk
of exploitation, violence, and health disparities. Prostitution leads to social isolation, homelessness,
domestic violence, and mental health problems (UOF, 2019). It also carries significant public risks,
particularly concerning the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.
They contended that regulation and oversight may be insufficient to ensure the safety and health of sex
workers. This is often characterized by underground activities, making it challenging to enforce health and
safety standards consistently. Prostitution or sex industry fails to address the underlying factors that lead
many individuals into such matter, such as economic hardship. Legalization can inadvertently enable
exploitative practices, as it becomes harder to distinguish between consensual sex work and coerced
involvement. People who sell sex are frequently the targets of violent crime, which includes rape and other
sexual and physical assaults (CPS, 2019). This suggests that criminals actively choose out sex traffickers
in the hopes that they won't disclose the crime to the authorities.

In conclusion, this paper strongly opposes the legalization of prostitution. Legalization undermines
societal values, health safeguards, promotes exploitation, and fails to provide adequate protection for
vulnerable individuals. Instead of legalizing prostitution, societies should focus on addressing the root
causes that drive individuals into the prostitution or sex industry, such as poverty, lack of education, and
limited employment opportunities. Efforts should be directed toward proving support, education, and
vocational opportunities to empower individuals to seek alternative livelihoods.
 SAMANTHA MAY S. PABUSTAN BSEd – English 2C
EM 8: Survey of Afro-Asian Literature MW: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

References:

Azhar, I. P., & Gopal, R. (2021). Effects of “English-Only Policy” on Students’ Fluency and Motivation
Level in Speaking English. The Malaysian English Language Teaching Association.
https://melta.org.my/journals/TET/downloads/tet50_03_01.pdf
Ekberg, G. (2007). Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution And a Legal Response to the Demand
for Prostitution. Journal of Trauma Practice.
ProCon.org. (2020, March 19). What are the different types of prostitution? - Prostitution - ProCon.org.
Prostitution. https://prostitution.procon.org/questions/what-are-the-different-types-of-
prostitution/
prostitution. (n.d.). LII / Legal Information Institute. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/prostitution
Prostitution and Exploitation of Prostitution | The Crown Prosecution Service. (2023, September 22).
https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/prostitution-and-exploitation-prostitution
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Vella, S. (2021). “I Work With Prostitutes”-The Negative Effects of Prostitution. Universe of Faith.
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