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Works Cited
Edlund, L. Korn, E. (February 2002) A theory of prostitution. The University of Chicago Press
Journals.
This paper focuses on economic factors that influence the current state of prostitution as
an occupation. It offers a marriage market as an explanation. The economic explanation
and analysis as opposed to a pro or anti legalization stance provides a neutral source of
information that. This allows for a clearer and more unbiased analysis that leads to
presenting a better informed argument. Using a reasoning method other than morals and
ethics to analyze the topic appeals to a broader audience as well. The marriage
explanation for why prostitution is a high-earning yet low-skill occupation also provides
insight as to how sex work is perceived by society.
Farley, M. (October 2004) Bad for the body, bad for the heart. Violence Against Women.
This article presents an anti-legalization/decriminalization stance that bases its argument
on the negative effects of prostitution on women. It analyzes rates of mental illness such
as PTSD in prostituted women and other adverse effects of sex work on psychological
status. It also states that arguments for the legalization and decriminalization of
prostitution that base their argument on keeping women safe do not take into
consideration mental health in addition to physical health. However, the article does not
include information on male prostitutes and how their mental health may be affected by
their occupation. Although the article excludes male sex workers, it still provides
information supporting its anti-prostitution argument.

Goldberg, E. (July 30, 2014) Legalizing prostitution could reduce HIV infections nearly in half.
The Huffington Post.
This article is concerned with the transmission of HIV and how it can be prevented
through the decriminalization of prostitution. It reports that legalization would allow sex
workers to practice safe sex more often and therefore protect their health and that of their
clients. Due to the nature of their occupation, sex workers are at higher risk of contracting
STIs and the criminalization of prostitution contributes to their inability to access tools to
prevent transmission. The spread of diseases is a reasonable concern to have when
discussing the legalization and decriminalization of sex work and this article addresses
these concerns with the use of studies done in multiple countries.
Purtill, C. (August 2015) Worlds biggest human rights group wants to legalize prostitution. USA
Today.
This article is about Amnesty International proposing the legalization of sex work
because it is, according to them, the best way to protect sex workers safety. Amnesty
International is doing so by joining various organizations such as the United Nations to
promote their agenda. I chose this article because it includes both the position of actual
sex workers who favor the decision and a few reasons why others are opposed. This
relates to my topic in that it shows that there is strong advocacy for legalization with the
intention of keeping sex workers safe. This article is important because it makes it clear
that there are large organizations arguing for legalization of sex work worldwide.
Raymond, J.G. (2008) Ten reasons for not legalizing prostitution and a legal response to the
demand for prostitution. Journal of Trauma Practice, Volume 2, Issues 3-4.

This article analyzes the legal status of prostitution in various countries including
Germany, Thailand, and various others where prostitution is no longer treated as a
criminal activity as it is in many other places. It includes decriminalization along with
continuing prohibition of prostitution and the effects of these policies on the industry. As
one of few works found to support an anti-legalization stance it provides a minority
opinion on the issue. The presentation of counterarguments to other articles that state a
clear pro legalization and decriminalization stance allows for a more balanced set of
information which provides the necessary material to present an informed argument.
Reisenwitz, C. (August 15, 2014) Why its time to legalize prostitution. The Daily Beast.
This article presents a clear position in favor of legalizing and decriminalizing
prostitution and uses countries such as Germany to support its position. The violence
against sex workers perpetuated by law enforcement and the higher risks of contracting
STIs when prostitution is considered a criminal offense also support the authors stance
on the issue. The success of legalization and decriminalization in preventing illegal
trafficking is also mentioned. In addition to this, the author cites recent studies and the
position of large human rights organizations such as Amnesty International to support
each claim. However, the article does not take into consideration how legalization and/or
decriminalization has possibly affected sex workers and those involved in the industry
negatively.
Rio, L.M. (1991) Psychological and sociological research and the decriminalization or
Legalization of prostitution. Archive of Sexual Behavior, Volume 2.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the reasons behind the current legal status of
prostitution and whether they make sense when observed in a sociological way. The goals
of classifying prostitution as an illegal activity and whether or not they are achieved are
discussed in this paper. The inclusion of studies of prostitutes and clients gives the article
more credibility as it provides an inside view into the industry. This article supports the
legalization and decriminalization of prostitution and therefore provides this paper with
the pro side of the question. It is important because it uses sociological studies to support
a stance on a polarizing topic.
Weitzer, R. (2012) Legalizing prostitution: from illicit vice to lawful business. New York
University Press.
This book describes and explains the anatomy of the sex industry and focuses on
prostitution. The first chapter fist defines what the sex industry is and what services and
products it provides. It then speaks more of prostitution and goes into detail describing
the various paradigms that explain prostitution and the reasons behind why it should or
shouldnt be legalized and/or decriminalized. The three paradigms mentioned at the
empowerment paradigm, the oppression paradigm, and the polymorphous paradigm
which is the theory presented by the author himself as the most apt of the three. Each
section mentions who stands behind each ideology and what the reasoning behind each
theory is.