1. Melissa Farley believes that prostitution is not a free choice for most women involved. She saw that the women who are prostitutes “tend to be the ones who have the fewest options.” She was stunned by the fact that some see little or no harm in sexual exploitation, and cited how the US was increasingly socially ligitimizing pimping through strip clubs, nude dancing, escort services, phones sex and computer sex. Farley also included tanning salons and massage parlors. This is a little extreme in my opinion. Tanning salons and massage parlors in no way have to do anything with sexual exploitation, in most cases. I also believe, contrary to Farley’s opinon, that prostitution is a free choice. Whether a woman decides to be an exotic dancer or personal escort, there is a definite line to cross to become a prostitute. These women can choose to dance for men and exploit their bodies in that means, they can also choose NOT to perform sexual favors.

2. Prostitution promotes the oppression of race, sex and class. Farley felt that the women who choose to enter prostitution do so because they have little or no choices. A woman decides to work at a strip club, for example. She may have little or no education, therefore few choices for income. A woman from a high class family, with no education, could be supported by her family. On the other hand, if a woman were from a family in the lower class, her family may not be able to financially support her if she choses not to finish high school. Using sex as a means of income is a relatively quick way to earn money. Prostitution obviously oppresses women since it promotes the idea that women can be ‘bought’ and are merely objects for men to own. Farley agreed with this point of view.

3. Farley’s concern for the legalization of prostitution is that it doesn’t address her major concerns of prostitution in the first place. Most legislature doesn’t account for the spread of STDs for example. In Nevada, for example, the state merely acts as a pimp for prostitutes, determining the size and location of brothels. Farley also believes that legalizing wouldn’t eliminate the violence involved in sexual exploitation.  Decriminalization of prostitution is the cessation of enforcement of all laws against prostitution. Businesses encourage the decriminalization because they feel it may remove the negative stigma connected with prostitution. Farley also disagrees with this concept because it would not reduce or eliminate one of the major problems connected to prostitution: the trauma and humiliation. I agree with this opinion of Farley. I feel that in order to end trauma for women who are prostitutes, we need to somehow give power to them, instead of the ‘John Does’ who exploit them. Whether this is possible or not remains to be seen.