Sex Workers and Prostitution: A Criminological Analysis Essay

This essay delves into the multifaceted issue of sex work and prostitution, examining it through the lens of feminist and Marxist criminology. It begins with an introduction to prostitution, highlighting its prevalence, global revenue, and the varying societal perceptions. The essay then explores the contrasting viewpoints of anti-feminist and pro-feminist groups, discussing their stances on the legality and morality of sex work. A significant portion is dedicated to feminist criminology, detailing how it addresses violence against women, and the role of consent in sex work. Furthermore, the essay analyzes Marxist criminology, presenting prostitution as a consequence of capitalist systems and economic disparities. It underscores the impact of societal structures, political systems, and gender inequality on the prevalence of sex work. The essay concludes by emphasizing the interconnectedness of class and gender relations in shaping the dynamics of prostitution and its implications for broader social issues.

Running Head: Sex Workers and Prostitution
Sex Workers and Prostitution
Essay
System04104
9/26/2019

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1
Sex Workers and Prostitution
Introduction
Prostitution or transactional sexual relationship is very common in our society and large
number of girls and women are involved in such type of unethical business of sex in our
society. However, in most of the countries, sex business is legal and allowed by the
government to grow and develop in the areas despite being various challenges and issues.
According to a research, it has been found that prostitution produces more than $100 billion
revenue globally on annual basis. There are more than 40 million of prostitutes are involved
in the sex business and among them more than 75% prostitutes are between the ages of 13
years to 25 years and more than 85% of them are female and girls (Sanders, O'Neill, and
Pitcher, 2017). The concept of prostitution is determined by the culture of the societies and its
values because in some societies it is seen as a profession while in some societies it is seen as
a sin and crime in the society. In some countries, prostitution is termed as a serious crime and
prostitutes or sex workers have been punished with some strict laws. It is also noticeable that
in some societies the law allows death punishment for such type of social crime. However,
prostitution and sex workers generally considered against the social and moral values and it is
a debatable topic among various socialists and lawyers. However, the major problem with the
sex business or with prostitution is that it helps to raise some other serious problems in the
society like kidnapping, human trafficking, drugs, organised crime, child sex, and illegal
pornography. It means a sex business is giving many other social problems and crime in our
society and forces a challenge for both law and order in many countries. Another issue with
this social issue that sex workers are generally involved with a large number of people for
sexual relationship and it further transmitted many diseases to one person to another person,
such as HIV/AIDS.
Opinions of Anti-Feminist and Pro-Feminist About Prostitution or Sex Business
The sex business is legal in many countries but it is also termed as a serious offence or crime
in some other societies. The anti-prostitution society holds a view that prostitution is an
illegal and forceful activity, in which women or girls are sexually exploited by the people and
it shows the male dominance over women (Crowhurst, Outshoorn, and Skilbrei, 2012). These
feminist have negative views on the sex business or prostitution and they said prostitution has
negative effects on society and it affects the health of both prostitutes and people who are

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involved in such type of work (Cohen, 2019). However, it has been seen that these feminist
group also use the women as a sex toy and women are treated under this as a sex object for
entertainment and sexual harassment. The women are used by men and then abused after. It
prostitution is a total dominance of men over women and it is not good for society neither for
the sex workers. The pro-prostitute feminists have other views, which is against the anti-
prostitute people. This group supports the prostitution and sex business and believe that sex
workers have valid choices and both men and women have their own choices to engage in it
(Bernstein, 2012). Apart from this, these groups also said that prostitution should be
differentiated from the forced prostitution and they support that sex business or prostitution
should be legal in the society as some people earn money with this business.
Feminist Criminology and Prostitution
Many theories related to women crime and violence is derived from feminist criminology
theory. One of the famous criminology theories that are related to the involvement of women
in crime is ‘Feminist criminology theory' that was developed in the 1960s in USA. The
feminist criminology theory is related to the violence with women and considers the forceful
sexual relationship, abusive relationship with women, harassment of women at home, and an
abusive relationship between sex partners or intimate partners (Heidensohn, 2012). It has
been clearly stated in feminist theory that most of the women who are facing serious crimes
and violence at home place with their husband during sexual relationship then it can also be
considered under the feminist criminology theory. Under the feminist theory, it is also
considerable that the sexual business is doing by the women or men by mutual consent or by
force (O'Neill, 2010). It has been seen that large numbers of girls and women are forcibly
involved in the sexual business without their consent. However, the feminist criminology said
that if women are engaged in prostitution by their own choices and she is not forcefully
exploited by the people, then it is not an offence. However, in many cases, it has been seen
that women are engaged in such type of crime with their consent and choices for earning
money. The feminist theory of criminology states that roles of women in the society are very
different from men and it would lead to other criminal activities and victimisation that is
overlooked by the criminological theories (Bisschop, Kastoryano, and van der Klaauw,
2017). However, it can be said that the major emphasis of feminist theory on female crime is
related to discrimination and disregard of women. The feminist criminology also said that
women are responsible for the same level as men in the crime. Although, in traditional views

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of crime, it has been considered that male are more committed in criminal activities and
women are very less because they do not have the freedom to do so. Although, this theory
rejects this traditional views of crime because it has been seen that women are equally
responsible for modern crimes. The traditional views of crime were rejected by the many
other scholars and criminological experts, which is based on biased and androcentric views
about men. The criminology theory directly states that social roles of women are different
from men and it will help them to easily engage in social crimes, deviance, and victimization
of people which is generally not considered by the other theories of criminology (Renzetti,
2012). As per this theory, it can be said that the sexual business of women or involvement of
girls or women in prostitution is a crime that is raised because they are treated differently in
the societies and not compared with them. The feminist criminology focuses on the broad
range of issues such as gender discrimination while assessing the crime scenes, ignoring the
involvement of women in the crime because of their sex, and inequalities in the criminal
assessing process (Chesney-Lind and Morash, 2013).
A part of feminism theory that is called Marxist Feminism supports the same argument that
women are dominated by the men in the society that will lead some other problems for the
society such as in form of prostitution and sex business. Marxist theory also argues that the
economic formation of society is really important for maintaining healthy gender relations in
society and economic formation is a primary need of social relation (Smart, 2013). The great
example of it is that rape is not a legal or common activity in our common society but it is
noted that the highest cases of rapes have been recorded in the capitalist societies. This is
only happening because of gender relations and the unequal status of women and men in the
society that leads to various crimes and prostitution is one of them. However, it can be said
that class and gender relationships in the society is equally important and it is the focal point
of feminist theory of criminology (Harrington, 2012). Crime is mainly seen in those areas
where there is a difference between the status of women and men and women are generally
exploited by the men for both financial purposes of physical purposes. The society and
political system play a major role in helping the prostitution in the society because the laws
and regulation of society are formed in such a way that gives more freedom and rights to men
and restricted the women for their rights and the freedom. Such type of mindset leads to
serious offence or crime in the society where women involved or moved in a crime or any
other victimisation activities where they exploited others or exploited by others sexually
(Weitzer, 2011). It has been noted in the last two or three decades, the involvement of women

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in crime is rapidly growing and they involved in crime, theft, murder, and other social crimes
like prostitution. Prostitution opens the gate for many other social crimes such as drugs,
human trafficking, kidnapping, child abuse, and child pornography etc. It means, the support
of the political system is also considerable (Baker, Dalla, and Williamson, 2010). For
example, Indian which is an Asian and second large democratic country. Prostitution is an
illegal activity in the country but large numbers of women and girls are using this line in the
country to earn money. Even it is illegal, the government cannot take any action against it
because it is an organised industry and a huge number of women and girls are involved in this
industry to make money. The approach of government and society is still questionable in the
country because it is growing every day and leads to some other crimes such as the abduction
of teenage girls or school-girls, human trafficking and kidnapping of girls for making porn
videos. The business of prostitution in any part of the world will not be sustained if the
government understand their roles and take strict actions against it. The sex business is a way
of transmitting much sexual disease like HIV/AIDS and the government spend a huge
amount of money on those people who are suffering from this dangerous disease.
Marxist Criminology and Prostitution
Another theory of criminology that considers that all form of sexual commerce is a form of
violence against women is called Marxism criminology theory. The Marxist theory viewed
the prostitutes are the victims of the capitalist system. The Marxism theory said behind every
violence or criminal offence in which women are involved the main reason is related to an
economic and social issue or challenges. The Marxist criminology theory also states that the
dependence of women for the income or money on the men leads to some serious social
issues like prostitution and sex business (DeKeseredy, 2011). The women involved in this
business once they found that they are not satisfied with the current financial situation of the
family or the men centric society ignores the importance of women. The Marxist theory states
that prostitution is a crime and it is only done for exchange of money in terms of body sold
by women. The sex workers also treated as the commodity for use and women are forcefully
involved in this business because of economic conditions and poverty. However, this theory
is somewhere near the assumptions of feminist criminology theory that both accept the
involvement of women in crimes unlikely to traditional views about crime where people
generally considered that only men are involved in criminal activities (Constantinou, 2016). It
is also considerable that under the capitalist system, a sex worker is treated as the product and

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every sex worker participates in the economic system by earning money after selling her
body. The capitalist economy considers sex workers as the human labour that have a unique
place in the nefarious economic system (Matthews and Chambliss, 2014). However, the
capitalist uses sex workers as a commodity, worker, or a means of exploiting money from
men to fulfil their sexual needs. The Marxist criminology is against these thoughts and states
that both prostitute and capitalist are equally responsible for such type of crime (Matthews,
2015).
The Marxist theory also argues that capitalist society is the major oppressor of women
because these types of societies are using women as a resource for sexual exploitation for
both money and physical needs. The Marxist criminology is also against pornography or any
type of voluntary or involuntary sexual exchange or sexual relationship that is formed for the
purpose of earning money (Scott, 2011). It means prostitution, which is generally done to
earn money and it has a large organised group to operate the business in all over the world, is
a social crime and all people involved in this should be punished. However, the Marxist
theory is criticised by many people because it focuses on the sexual exploitation of women
for the purpose of earning money (Lerum and Brents, 2016). However, it is also considered
under this theory that it argues that the abolishment of prostitution can be beneficial for both
societies and the prostitutes as well. However, the failure of the political and governmental
system to avoid the prostitution is very difficult because it is not an easy step for any
government where prostitution is an organised business for large number of people including
women, men, and children. However, the major issues in the prostitution in that most of the
victims and girls are forcefully trapped in this crime and they were forcefully involved in this
business (Miller and Mullins, 2017). The crime in prostitution business is very common and
even large number of people murdered every part of the world because of these social issues.
It is really an important factor to consider in this criminology theory is that it considers the
economic and social issues for this sexual business and prostitution crimes. The
differentiation and inequalities in the capitalist economy with men leads to such type of
problem where rape is a common and sexual business is a legal business profession.
However, in very simple words, the Marxist criminology theory blames the capitalist
economy or countries for prostitution and any sexual business (Matthews, 2015). The theory
also supports the abolition of prostitution and sex business from society, which is one of the
basic needs of removing capitalism from the world. However, it can be said that prostitution
is an illegal and unsocial activity that dehumanized both women and men if they exchange

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sex for money or even when women sold her body to men for money or men hired the
women for sexual needs. It has been noted or trend that men have generally thirst of sex and
if they did not get it after the marriage from his partner, they are looking for that place where
women sold their bodies for money and satisfied themselves. In both cases, the women are
dominated by men for their sexual exploitation. It is really considerable that the Marxist
theory of criminology blamed that the economic and social conditions are more responsible
for such type of social issues in the society. Sexual workers are generally involved in such
type of business or social crime in a country when they failed to get employment or proper
education (Oselin and Weitzer, 2013). Even the lack of education and poverty also force
women and girls to involve in this type of social crimes. This shows the political and
governance failure in the region that is important to guide people for their roles and
responsibilities towards the society and education plays an important role in this. Large
numbers of countries are facing extreme issues related to gender inequality and lack of
education in women. This will drive women to select other options to earn money or
financially support their family (Leon and Shdaimah, 2012). However, poverty and human
trafficking two important forces that drive a woman into prostitution work. It means that
theory of Marx criminology is very much related with the concept the economic and societal
traditions, concepts, stereotypes, and views about women are major responsible factors
behind prostitution and increasing number of sex workers. However, these things are
normally observed in the capitalist economy. It is really beneficial for a society, if the society
focuses on equal education system for both men and women, equal employment
opportunities, and abolishes the differences between men and women in the society
(Nicolson, 2013). The failure of the government to provide equal opportunities and facilities
to women is the major reason for prostitution in many countries.
Recommendations and Conclusion
Prostitution is a serious issue all over the world. Although, it contributes to the world
economy with huge revenue from the prostitution work, it should be abolished from society
for the welfare of both society and common people. The role of government, political system,
the legal system, and economy is equally responsible for continuous growth of prostitution in
the society but it leads to some other major threats for the world such as human trafficking,
forced prostitution, abduction and kidnapping of people, girl abuse, drugs racket, and child
pornography etc. These crimes can easily be controlled if the government understand the

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importance of abolishing sex business from society. However, it is only possible if the
government, individuals, and society together raise this issue and take initiative to protect the
life of those women who are forcedly involved in the prostitution business. The education
and employment opportunity for both women and girls can play an important role in
abolishing such type of crime from society. The capitalism thinking of system is a major
supporter of this social crime, but once the thinking change of the nation that is only possible
through education and employment, and then prostitution can be easily removed from the
society. Another factor that is most important to consider that equal right and freedom in
society for both men and women is necessary. This will change the thinking of male
dominant society of most of the people in the world. If the thinking and stereotype of people
change, then only possible that a problem or social disease like prostitution can be removed
from the society and people can enjoy a healthy and happy life with equal rights in the
society. The stereotype of society about women should be changed and it can be started at the
individual level when in a family, male give equal rights to the women for getting education,
employment, and speak about the issue or challenges. Every society should have an equal
place for both men and women. The government should take initiative to formulate strict
laws about prostitution and must punish those criminals who humiliate the freedom and right
of women and force them towards prostitution.

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