Sample paper – Proposition of value
RESOLUTIONAL ANALYSIS
Background of controversy: Although controversial, trading sexual services for cash has been
known to be one of the oldest professions that dates back generations. While those of the
opposition believe that legalizing the notion of sex work would remove a taboo in our society
and cause an increase in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, others believe that this could
benefit society by helping reduce crime, increase tax revenue and help keep these women safe
and allow consenting adults increased freedom of choice. Extensive studies have been done to
prove that legalizing prostitution is truly beneficial for society. The result of these studies
validates the following proposition.
Proposition: Legalizing prostitution would be beneficial to society.
Definition: Our definition is provided by FindLaw, in the article titled, “Prostitution” last
updated in 2013 which reads, “Sometimes called ‘the oldest profession,’ prostitution can take
many forms, from streetwalkers and brothels, to sophisticated call-girl or escort services.
Prostitution laws make it a crime to offer, agree to, or engage in a sexual act for compensation.”
Value object: Prostitution
Value: Societal health. (This includes physical and economic health)
Claim 1: Legalizing prostitution is beneficial to societal health because it will lessen the spread
of STD’s.
Grounds 1A: The data provided proves that with legalization STD rates within the sex industry
can diminish substantially. According to Legal Source 360 in the 2012 article “The Benefits of
Legalizing Prostitution” David Thomson states, “One final benefit of legalization of the world’s
oldest profession is medical care. Prostitutes shall lead a better and healthier life as they stay free
from venereal issues and AIDs. The presence of a doctor all the time in the premises will save
lives. Moreover, without a complete test, a customer will not be able to engage in sexual favors
from a prostitute who has no health issues. Such character certification from qualified doctors
shall serve to protect and safeguard the good health of the prostitutes. According to the WHO,
prostitutes live at the highest danger from catching STDs and in particular AIDs as they get
abused by customers on a regular basis.”
Warrant 1A Legalization generally leads to reduced STDs and increased health.
(Generalization/Causation)
Grounds 1B: The evidence presented in the September 3, 2010 article, “Hookers in Cubicles? 5
Reasons We Need Legalized Prostitution” Sasha Brown- Worsham explains, “A john visits an
illegal prostitute, gets an STD, and brings that home to his wife who passes it on to their child.
And that is just one scenario. The fact is, in places like Nevada, where prostitution is legal, the
women get monthly blood tests, they have access to condoms and education about safe sex
practices, and they're far more likely to have treatment if they do contract something. The spread
of AIDS and other STDs would be reduced by legalizing prostitution.”
Warrant 1B Nevada’s example demonstrates reduction in STD transmission.
(generalization/sign)
Grounds 1C: The legalization of prostitution allows for fewer health risks and a significant
amount of health options available as shown in the Minnesota Daily’s Feb. 11, 2013 article,
“Prostitution should be legal; Laws criminalizing adult prostitution need to be re-examined.”
Written by James Castle as he states, “Regulations can demand that prostitutes be licensed and
require prostitutes to be screened regularly for sexually transmitted infections in order to
maintain the license. Professional prostitutes would have better access to information about safer
sex and sexual health and access to condoms. In a study published in 2010, the effects of the
legal status of sex work on public health was examined in three Australian cities, as prostitution
is legal in some parts of Australia. In one city, licensed sex work was legal. In another city,
unlicensed sex work was legal and in the third city all forms of sex work were illegal. In the
cities where sex work is legal and where licensed sex work is legal, the sex workers saw
increased access to health promotional services.”
Warrant 1C The Australian experience demonstrates increased health following legalization.
(Causation/Parallel case)
Grounds 1D: Health risks would severely decrease with all the resources that will be available as
stated in Psychology Today’s May 5, 2011 story, “The Red-Light District, Exploring the carnal
and taboo” writer Naveed Saleh M.D. reported, “Solely from a public health perspective it makes
good sense to legalize prostitution--a position supported by the World Health Organization. If
prostitution were legalized, then the American government could develop programs that formally
educate prostitutes about health risks and screen for sexually transmitted infections.
Additionally, prostitutes could receive compulsory health checks in order to maintain a license to
work. In Brazil, where prostitution is decriminalized and prostitutes receive government support,
one study found that 100% of prostitutes who were interviewed used condoms and only 16.5%
had ever contracted a sexually transmitted infection. Additionally, if prostitution were legalized,
then prostitutes could freely solicit health care without fear of judgment or incrimination.”
Warrant 1A: The evidence shows that legalizing prostitution would allow for a safer and healthy
society and working system, similar to Brazil’s. (aparallel case/generalization)
Claim 2: Making prostitution legal would benefit society because it would increase economic
health as well.
Grounds 2A: Allowing for the legalization of prostitution would bring about tax revenue which
could benefit society as a whole, according to the Reason Foundations May 2009 article, “Paying
with Our Sins” Nick Gillespie entices us with his piece, “Consider prostitution. No reliable
estimates exist on the number of prostitutes in the United States or aggregate demand for their
services. However, Nevada, one of the two states that currently allow paid sex acts, is
considering a tax of $5 for each transaction. State Senator Bob Coffin argues further that
imposing state taxes on existing brothels could raise $2 million a year (at present, brothels are
allowed only in rural counties, which get all the tax revenue), and legalizing prostitution in cities
like Las Vegas could swell state coffers by $200 million annually.”
Warrant 2A Society would benefit not only from increased health but because legalization
would also provide for increased taxes. (Parallel case, generalization)
Grounds 2B: With the deficit that this economy is in allowing prostitution to stay illegal is
something that could turn into money making business reads the Examiners December 13, 2012
article, “Prostitution: legalize it, regulate it, and tax it” the article states, “Prostitution in the
United States is a multi-billion dollar industry that goes largely untaxed. Certainly some of the
money is taxed when it is laundered or through sales tax when workers, pimps and madams
make purchases. But, much like the prohibition of drugs, most of the revenue goes untouched by
state, local and federal treasuries. The entire industry operates within a black market that is
regulated by violent crime. Many sex workers seek out pimps and bodyguards for protection
since they are unable to call for police services. These pimps get the cut that should stay in the
pockets of the workers and taxed.”
Warrant 2B Society is losing tax money that could be gathered through legalization.
(analogy/generalization)
Grounds 2C: Keeping prostitution illegal not only harms our economy and society but it benefits
the people it shouldn’t, as shown in the March 26, 2009 article, “Legalization of Prostitution:
Perfect Stimulus for Ailing Economy” which reads, “Working girls not only stimulate their
customers, but they also stimulate the economy. Unfortunately, when prostitution is illegal it’s
the underground economy that benefits. Right now it’s only pimps and other scum who profit
from the sex industry. But if sex for money is legalized and taxed society would benefit. The
legalization of prostitution is the right tonic for our ailing economy. Fighting prostitution is a
very expensive endeavor that we can no longer afford at a time when our economy is in a crisis
mode. Instead of wasting the taxpayer’s money on police manpower and defense attorneys,
revenue should be used to create jobs and in other ways that will stimulate the economy.”
Warrant 2C Legalization will stimulate the health of the economy. (causation)
Grounds 2D: Statistics and evidence show that the economy as a whole could gain healthy
benefits from this as presented in the January 5, 2010 article, “Prostitution: The Economic and
Criminal Justice Benefits of Legalization” reads, “Legalized prostitution can also help address
the problem of unemployment in this nation, ultimately helping the economy. As we all know, a
direct impact of the economic struggles that this nation is enduring is the unemployment status
being suffered by many. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012), five million
Americans are currently unemployed long-term. This results in the inability for many to provide
a comfortable living for themselves, as well as their families. The Prostitutes’ Education
Network (2008) states that over one million Americans, which is about 1% of the population,
have worked as prostitutes at one point or another in their lifetime. This goes to show that people
are willing to part-take in this industry if necessary. In the midst of this current economic crisis,
these one million people can potentially decrease the unemployment rate, as those who shy away
from the industry simply because it is deemed illegal will be more accepting of the profession. In
addition, those who are secretly involved would undoubtedly embrace the profession and
perhaps encourage more individuals to join in as well. Lastly, law abiding citizens who are in
desperate need of income will be provided with an opportunity to provide a living for their
families. All these components can contribute to a decrease in the current unemployment rates,
and ultimately benefit the economy.”
Warrant 2D Legalizing prostitution can decrease unemployment and create jobs, both symptoms
of a healthy economy. (causation)
.
Claim 3: Allowing prostitution to be legal would ensure all around safety, causing society to be
a healthier place.
Grounds 3A: Keeping prostitution illegal and allowing these “workers” to stay on the street with
no assurance of safety or security is still a big issue explained by Charlotte Bowyer in the
Christian Science Monitors June 3, 2010 article, “Why it’s Time to Legalize Prostitution” which
reads, “Instead of the current system, prostitution should be treated like many other professions;
legal and regulated, as is the case in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany and New
Zealand. Allowing prostitutes the safety and security of a fixed workplace and network of coworkers would put them at much less risk. Evidence shows that the commercialization of
prostitution would lead to better rights for workers, better working conditions and more
established routes through which to seek help. A legal, competitive brothel or agency would have
the incentive to make sure their workers are clean and well looked after - or risk losing
business.”
Warrant 3A Legalization in other nations has increased health and safety. (parallel case,
causation)
Grounds 3B: A priority to most is ensuring that all participants have a safe and healthy
environment keeping them away from physical and bodily harm as read on AlterNet’s article
titled, “Should Prostitution Be Legalized? The pros and cons of decriminalization and
legalization.” Last updated on July 30, 2010, writer former prostitute Amelia states, “The focus
should be on keeping prostitutes safe, from abuse, assault, rape, and murder, as well as from
sexually transmitted diseases. And if sex workers should be required to get regular blood and
STD tests, so should the clients who see them. Whether these two protections -- against violence
and against disease -- come about through decriminalization or legalization depend upon the
letter of the law. Ultimately, I believe sex workers shouldn't be treated like drug dealers, violent
criminals, or pimps who exploit women for monetary gain.”
Warrant 3B (Parallel case/authority)
Ground 3C: To reduce violence the sex laws need to be changed to establish rights for these men
and women with no fear of consequence, the New York Times article, “Labor Laws, Not
Criminal Laws, Are the Solution” in April 2012 Director Carol Leigh reports, “Now, when a sex
worker is raped, she or he is unlikely to go to the police, fearing arrest. Rapists are well aware of
that vulnerability, even claiming to target sex workers because they know we have no recourse.
Exploitation and danger are exacerbated when sex work is criminalized. Studies consistently
show a reduction in violence when sex work is legal.”
Warrant 3A: Facts show that the link between violence and prostitution is illegal status, and
allowing a legal regulated business would end the black market trade and decrease crime
substantially. (generalization/causation
Conclusion: While the issue of whether or not prostitution should be legal still remains
controversial, evidence clearly shows that legalizing prostitution could not only benefit the
worker personally but also the health of society as a whole, by providing our economy with the
much needed tax revenues that could be gained through this billion dollar industry, but by also
ensuring one’s physical, emotional, and bodily safety and protection against a taboo crime that
lies deep within the black market streets.
Sources Cited
Bowyer , Charlotte . "Why it's time to legalize prostitution." The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian
Science Monitor, 3 June 2010. Web. 3 Nov. 2013. <http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-AdamSmith-Institute-Blog/2010/0603/Why-it-s-time-to-legalize-prostitution>.
Brown- Worsham, Sasha. "Hookers in Cubicles? 5 Reasons We Need Legalized Prostitution." The Stir.
CMI Marketing Inc., 3 Sept. 2010. Web. 3 Nov. 2013.
<http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/109004/Hookers_in_Cubicles_5_Reasons>.
Castle, James. "Prostitution should be legal." Minnesota Daily. The Minnesota Daily, 11 Feb. 2013. Web.
3 Nov. 2013. <http://www.mndaily.com/2013/02/11/prostitution-should-be-legal>.
Gillespie, Nick. "Paying With Our Sins." Reason.com. Reason Foundation, 20 May 2009. Web. 3 Nov.
2013. <http://reason.com/archives/2009/05/20/paying-with-our-sins>.
"Legalization Of Prostitution: Perfect Stimulus For Ailing Economy | PoliticalArticles.NET."
PoliticalArticles.NET. Political Articals, 26 Mar. 2009. Web. 3 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.politicalarticles.net/blog/2009/03/26/legalization-of-prostitution-perfect-stimulus-forailing-economy/#.Uncb71FKiSo>.
"The NAYked truth." : Prostitution: The Economic and Criminal Justice Benefits of Legalization. Awesome
Inc., 5 Jan. 2013. Web. 3 Nov. 2013. <http://thenaykedtruth.blogspot.com/2013/01/prostitutioneconomic-and-criminal.html>.
"Prostitution: legalize it, regulate it, and tax it." Examiner.com. Clarity Digital Group LLC, 13 Dec. 2012.
Web. 3 Nov. 2013. <http://www.examiner.com/article/prostitution-legalize-it-regulate-it-and-tax-it>.
Thomson, Dave. "The Benefits of Legalizing Prostitution." Legal Source 360. Helium Inc., 15 Apr. 2012.
Web. 3 Nov. 2013. <http://www.legalsource360.com/index.php/the-benefits-of-legalizing-prostitution454/>.
Weitzer, Ronald . "Mexico's State-Run Brothel Shows Us The Benefits Of Making Prostitution Legal."
Business Insider. Business Insider Inc., 29 Oct. 2013. Web. 3 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.businessinsider.com/galactic-zone-shows-why-we-should-legalize-prostitution-2013-10>.