Crime and Prostitutes

Essay by nr051180University, Bachelor'sA+, July 2004

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Prostitution is ambiguous to define. The Webster's dictionary defines prostitution as 1. the act or practice of engaging in sexual intercourse 2. any base or unworthy use of talent, ability, etc. But the act of prostitution involves many other associated facets that are included under this extensive act. There's the act itself, soliciting, advertising, pimping, house brothels, street prostitution, phone sex and even computer sex. Sweden treats prostitution as legal, however pimping is illegal. Canada bans soliciting for prostitution, but not the act themselves. Except for a few places in Nevada, the United States bans prostitution but permits its advertisement and tolerates massage parlors or bars that house it. Germany has legal and inspected houses of prostitution, but unsuspected prostitutes can still do business illegally, and those inspected can still buy and trade illegal drugs (Felson 1998 p 67). Do the difference in laws and regulations from country and states, prostitution as deviance can only be analyzed through selecting a particular social environment.

For this reason I will look at the prostitution as a deviance in the United States. Prostitution includes but is not limited to the following: (1) A person engages in "prostitution" if the person engages, or offers to engage, in the provision to another person, under an arrangement of a commercial character, of any of the following activities- a) sexual intercourse; b) masturbation; c) oral sex; d) any activity, other than sexual intercourse, masturbation or oral sex, that involves the use of 1 person by another for his or her sexual satisfaction involving physical contact. (2) However, a person does not engage in prostitution if- a) the activity is an activity mentioned in subsection (1)d); and b) the person is providing adult entertainment under an adult entertainment permit and is an adult and is not an...