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  Should prostitution be legal?

This site presents in a simple, nonpartisan pro-con format, responses to the core question "Should prostitution be legal?" We have divided questions about the topic into the issues and sub-issues listed below.

Last updated on 11/18/2008 3:39 PM PST

Background/General
 Defining Terms
 Key Concepts and Demographics
 Viewpoints from Involved Parties on Legalization

Philosophy/Morality
 Personal Freedom and Liberty
 Morality and Ethics of Prostitution

Health
 Physical and Psychological Health
 Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV/AIDS

Legal and Policy Considerations
 Legalization
 Decriminalization

Crime
 Prostitutes' Safety
 Protecting Society
 Enforcement Mechanisms

Economics
 Sex as a Business
 Taxation


ProCon.org Notices
(archived after 30 days)

11/18/2008 - NEW: ProCon.org for Teachers - Lesson plan ideas, natl. teaching standards, articles about teaching controversial issues, teachers' comments, and students' comments.

11/5/2008 - UPDATED: Polls and Votes – Voters in the city of San Francisco, CA opposed a ballot measure (57.56% to 42.44%) that would stop the city from enforcing laws against prostitution.

11/4/2008 – ProCon.org was referenced in the media six times last week.  See our In the News page for the Swedish, Russian, and four US publications that mentioned ProCon.org.

10/23/2008 - UDPATED: Prostitution Policies Around the World - Chart of 54 countries and their policies on prostitution, pimping, and brothel ownership now includes Afghanistan, Indonesia, and Scotland.

Archived News and Notices (archived after 30 days)

[Editor's Note: Throughout the website the term 'legal prostitution' refers to the buying and selling of sexual services between consenting adults without criminal penalty.]

Last updated on 11/18/2008 3:39 PM PST