Ethics on Prostitution

At the beginning of the blog, let us talk about [SEX]. Undeniably, from ancient times, people did sex and people NEED sex. (unless you are the monk or nun) And the form of sex can be various, for instance, consensual sex, rape, one night stand，or prostitution. In this blog I would like to talk about the moral and ethically of prostitution.

Prostitution has long been called the oldest profession in the world, commonly defined as the custom of having sexual relations in exchange for economic gain such as money or good. It is typically seen as an aberrant way to make a living and is illegal in many countries. These sex workers are referring to as prostitute.

In most of the perception, women or maybe men being prostitution been seen as kind of dirty, unethical job by ‘selling body’. However, before we related these ugly term to prostitution job without any consideration, did we ever think about the reason behind of those people who being this “occupation”. Well, if there is a passable life, will these people tend to choose prostitution as a job? Before dressing down these ‘unethical occupation’, let’s find out the reason why people choose to be prostitution:

-There are no jobs they are qualified for and they have a family to support. Often this case occurred in poor countries.

- Some of them are forced to do it as in trafficking.

- People are enslaved and forced to be prostitutes

- Some have been abused and sex is the way they find validation. The only way to be able to deal with their past as abused children, they relive it.

- They need money for an addiction. At the same time is the prostitution something they need drugs to be able to handle so it becomes a vicious circle.

- It's nothing more than a job where you can control working hours, payment etc. 

From the reason above, being prostitution seems like reasonable.

Now, we just leave aside the reason above. Let’s discuss why people looking for prostitution:

Can we say that prostitution happen because of the demand of men so that the women become the supply? My answer is YES. In contrast, men demand on sex is much higher than women. Men seek prostitutes for a variety of reasons. The most common reason named was to satisfy an immediate sexual urge or for pleasure (32%), followed by a need for variety (21%), not having their needs met in their current relationship (20%), convenience (15%), the thrill (8%), and an addiction or compulsion (3%).

Well, reason of those looking for prostitution are more on dispensable.

In a conclusion, some people choose to BE prostitution because of survived, they need to be with no choice; however, people tend to LOOKING for prostitution service is because they want it. The difference terms within both are ‘NEED’ and ‘WANT’. See, which parties looks like more unethically and immoral now?

My opinion is, prostitution is nothing wrong ONLY IF it is progress in a safe condition. What I mean SAFE is conducting AIDS prevention. Prostitution reduces rape rates, solve men inner desire, and maybe can be seem as provided a tutorial to those sex beginner. It can be ethic while it happens in responsible and consensual situation.

As I mention before, prostitution is illegal in many countries, especially in Muslim countries. Just like my country, Malaysia, prostitution is still in control by government. Under the laws, those who run prostitution shall be imprisoned and given counseling. Laws are also taken over the customers who subscribe to prostitutes. But…prostitution is usually done in secrecy.  Legal or not, it is going to happen. In Malaysia, I am sure that they are aware of it, but have not made a strict reinforcement upon making it illegal, a STRICT one, if any.  We are all aware it happens, but yet there is no strong force against it everywhere. It’s going to happen, whether we like it or not. The point is, even though it is illegal, does mean that it is not ethic.

Another point that prostitution is regarded as immoral is that it is supposed to be degrading to the prostitute. In most cases, this is true. To treat someone as mere sexual object is to fail to respect their worth as human being. Of course, many jobs are degrading and are still considered morally acceptable. For example, cleaning people’s toilets or working as a servant can be regarded as degrading. Working in a sweatshop is also degrading. In fact, a case could be made that most employment involves some attack on human dignity. Of course, the degree of degradation varies widely. But, if some degradation is morally acceptable, then prostitution that falls within that range would also be acceptable.

It might be argued that having sex with people for money is inherently degrading. There are two replies to this.

First, there is the fact that all jobs involve a person selling himself/herself. A person who does manual labor is selling her body. A person who writes for a living is selling her mind. A person who performs is selling his talent. Of course, one might reply, these people are doing something less intimate. Hence, there is the difference.

An easy reply to this is that people sell very intimate things. A writer sells her intimate thoughts. If these sorts of jobs are acceptable, why prostitution is not?

Given the above discussion, it seems reasonable to accept that in our current society prostitution can be morally on part with acceptable professions.

Even as a prostitute, Are they hurting you? Are they cheating you? If not, don't contempt on them and giving a respect. They are just same like us, doing a job and wish to have a better life. If you think that they are the one who spending venereal disease, CONTROL YOUR MAN but not scolding on them. Because they do not wish to.