Personally, I don't have a problem with prostitution being a
  legalized and regulated industry. I don't care what people do
  sexually, how they make their money - well, I don't like
  excessive profit, but I believe in a reasonable profit margin...
  and they're providing a service.

  One positive side of the criminalization of prostitution is it
  can compel a segment of the population to pursue education who
  otherwise might turn to prostitution as it's easy money.

  It's easy money.

  At the same time, it stimulates the economy.

  Then again, the criminalization of prostitution ALSO stimulates
  the economy, providing jobs for those who enforce the law, the
  courts systems and such. The prostitutes that don't get caught
  ALSO make a profit, stimulating the economy. In a sense, the
  current system might be _more_ of a win for society than
  decriminalization, which would reduce the need for law
  enforcement jobs (at least a few) and a lightening of the load
  the courts system, which might eliminate higher educated jobs in
  favor of no education jobs.

  So, hard to say.

  Personally? Doesn't matter to me either way.   Wait: I'm wrong.
  The jobs lost due to decriminalization of prostitution will be
  REPLACED by _enforcers of standards_. It will create MORE JOBS
  for people to make sure that illegal stuff isn't done. As a
  regulated industry, they'll watch out for children being put
  into prostitution rings, families or husbands (or wives) -
  coercing their cihldren/spouses into prostitution for extra
  cash, etc.

  ...then again...

  Regulation of industry is a bit of a joke.

  Inspection jobs are usually the first to go in budget cuts, as
  you can schedule a single person to handle every complaint for
  an entire state. It happens in several industries that I'm aware
  of via experience.

  So, legalization of prostitution will likely result in an
  increase of child prostitution, once the dust settles and it
  becomes commonplace, budget cuts reduce inspections of
  prostitution businesses and such.

  So... no easy answer.

  Plus, if nobody is complaining.. the enforcement of regulation
  goes _poof_.