Prostitution humanism and a woman's choice - Perspectives on Prostitution

Humanist, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Kimberly Klinger

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A well-known example of legalized prostitution is that which has been practiced in the Netherlands since the 1800s, however brothels were illegal until 2000. When the ban was lifted, forced prostitution came under harsher punishment. Brothels are now required to be licensed and it is legal to organize the prostitution of another party, provided the prostitution isn't forced. According to the A. De Graaf Foundation, laws in the Netherlands now will control and regulate the exploitation of prostitution, improve the prosecution of involuntary exploitation, protect minors, protect the position of prostitutes, combat the criminal affairs related to prostitution, and combat the presence of illegal aliens in prostitution.

Designated streetwalking zones have also been established. While these aren't without their problems, they have essentially functioned as a safe community for women to work. The zones also offer the benefit of a shelter which affords prostitutes a place to meet with their colleagues, talk to health care professionals, and generally relax. This was a good solution for an occupation that had led both police and prostitutes to feel that frequent raids were only making matters worse. Women felt scared and were always on the run, and police thought they weren't succeeding at making the streets any safer. This system of legalization seems to have worked well because in the Netherlands social attitudes about sex and sex work are more liberal than in other parts of the world. There is a genuine effort to protect and respect the rights of Dutch sex workers.

But this sort of arrangement isn't found all over the world. Nor can one say that the Netherlands example should become a model for every other country. Some societies may benefit more from decriminalization while others are decades away from any regulation whatsoever. The latter seems to be the case in the United States, where puritanical attitudes about sex in general would make it nearly impossible to treat prostitution as just another business.

What then is the best choice for women? Put simply, the best choice for women is the choice that the individual woman makes for herself. Furthermore, a humanist perspective would naturally back up the right of women to choose how to live their lives as sexual beings. Humanist Manifesto II says:

   In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often
   cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress
   sexual conduct. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be
   recognized. While we do not approve of exploitive, denigrating forms of
   sexual expression, neither do we wish to prohibit, by law or social
   sanction, sexual behavior between consenting adults. The many varieties of
   sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered "evil." Without
   countenancing mindless permissiveness or unbridled promiscuity, a civilized
   society should be a tolerant one. Short of harming others or compelling
   them to do likewise, individuals should be permitted to express their
   sexual proclivities and pursue their lifestyles as they desire. We wish to
   cultivate the development of a responsible attitude toward sexuality, in
   which humans are not exploited as sexual objects, and in which intimacy,
   sensitivity, respect, and honesty in interpersonal relations are
   encouraged. Moral education for children and adults is an important way of
   developing awareness and sexual maturity.

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Prostitution humanism and a woman's choice - Perspectives on Prostitution

Humanist, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Kimberly Klinger

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