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_.