Prostitution has been around for centuries and its place in society has evolved substantially over time. While today prostitution is arguably still seen as a necessary evil, throughout human history it has often been socially accepted and even made legal in various parts of the world for a variety of reasons. This article will provide an historic perspective on prostitution through the ages, from Ancient Egypt to modern day.
The earliest record of prostitution dates back as far as ancient Egypt, 2300 BC. Its lowest community – ‘nome’ – was mainly composed of female prostitutes and was at the time a significant part of the economy. In Ancient Greece, the temple-brothel district of the Acropolis became a major hub for visitors and locals alike. Republican Rome was even more open about prostitution, with moral codes less strict than those of Ancient Greece.
In medieval Europe, prostitution was high in major cities such as London and Paris but remained generally hidden. This changed during the Enlightenment period (1650-1800) when prostitution hit its peak with brothels becoming increasingly common, especially in England. With the Industrial Revolution, however, this acceptance started to decrease steadily.
The First World War saw the introduction of the White Slave Trade Act, effectively stamping out prostitution. It remained illegal until the 1940s when parts of Europe began to recognize it as an unavoidable issue – something that constituted a part of many people’s daily lives. Germany and Amsterdam, for example, both officially legalized it.
During the 1960s and 70s, prostitution became an increasingly common part of the counterculture movement in America and Europe, with leading figures such as Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali and Charlie Chaplin glorifying it to some extent. This trend of commoditizing sex continued to rise, culminating in the ‘sex-disco’ scene of the 1980s.
Modern day prostitution is a contentious topic. Some countries have legalized it, while others have made it illegal and are continuously striving to eliminate it. This has, however, not yet been achieved as prostitution continues to exist around the world.
Legalization
In some countries, prostitution is legal and as such the sex services industry is regulated and taxed. This differs from the U.S. state of Nevada, where prostitution is illegal in most counties but legal in certain licensed brothels. Further, in countries that allow it, the law typically doesn't protect the rights of sex workers, and in some cases even makes them more vulnerable to exploitation.
Despite the risks, many countries choose to legalize prostitution in order to combat its vast underground network and the organized crime associated with it, as well as to protect the rights of sex workers who are often seen as voiceless in society and falling victim to those exploiting and taking advantage of them.
Proponents of legalization meanwhile emphasize public health and safety benefits and argue that criminalizing the industry only makes matters worse by driving the activity further underground, with sex workers becoming increasingly unable or afraid to seek medical attention or even report a crime.
In countries where prostitution is legal, such as Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand, it is permitted to work independently or through a licensed brothel. In the Netherlands, prostitution is also legal, but sex workers must operate in compliance with certain legal conditions, such as registering with the Chamber of Commerce or obtaining an independent business license.
Criminalization
Most countries take a firm stance against prostitution by criminalizing it. Here, both clients (the demand side) and sex workers (the supply side) can be punished for their involvement in the sex service industry. Countries such as the United States, China, and India are some of the most prominent nations that have criminalized prostitution.
The general argument for criminalization is based in morality: it’s seen as wrong and societies attempt to protect public decency by severely punishing it. This is in stark contrast to the de jure policies of countries such as Germany and Netherlands, which allow certain types of sexual services to be offered in a legal, regulated market.
On the other hand, opponents of criminalization argue that it only leads to an increase in violence and exploitation. They advocate for a decriminalization of the entire industry, as this would give sex workers the much-needed legal protection to seek medical attention, report crimes, and access certain services they don't have access to otherwise.
Advocacy & Criticism
In an age where information and communication reach large parts of our global population, prostitution has become a popular source of debate – pitting advocates and critics against one another in a battle for moral acceptance. Some have come out in support of legalizing prostitution, while others are staunch traditionalists in their belief that prostitution should remain illegal.
Proponents of full decriminalization argue for protecting the rights of sex workers, improving public health, and reducing exploitation and human trafficking – also arguing that morality has no place in policy making. Opponents, meanwhile, believe that decriminalizing prostitution would only open the door to more illegal activity and widen inequalities already present in outdated gender roles.
Prostitution has been, and in many ways still is, a controversial topic for discussion. It continues to be a contested sustainable development issue, with different regulations being formed and adjusted across multiple countries.
The Digital Age
As with many other industries, the digital age has caused a seismic shift in the prostitution landscape. With the proliferation of the internet, sex service solicitation moved online, away from physical locations such as brothels and street corners. This has in turn spawned new illegal activities such as human trafficking and child prostitution.
We have also seen the emergence of various online platforms such as Backpage and Craigslist, which have since been shut down by the US Federal Government after an investigation revealed that they were being used by criminals to facilitate the sale of sex services.
Further, the rise of the gig economy has also caused a shift in the type of services being offered. With more and more people focusing on short-term jobs and freelance work, the typical nine-to-five job with a fixed pay schedule has become a thing of the past. This has caused the growth of the so-called “sex work industry” with many people turning to $ex work as a viable source of income.
Limitations
Despite the various efforts made by various countries, prostitution remains a controversial and highly debated topic. In many places, it continues to remain illegal – often without any significant effect. According to the World Health Organization, sex work is the second most dangerous profession in the world after logging.
The inherent risks associated with the activity are further compounded by a lack of legal protection. This means that many sex workers remain vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and trafficking.
In addition, the stigma surrounding prostitution affects many aspects of social life. Society often equates the profession with immorality or degradation, creating an environment that is largely hostile to sex workers. As a result, many of them struggle to gain access to vital services such as healthcare and education, making it difficult for them to break out of the cycle of poverty.
