Should Sex Work Be Legalized in Canada? Research Paper Example

Introduction

What is sex? Back in the days, sex marks the relationship between two people from the opposite gender. It denotes an expression of the differential conditions of emotions that one feels when he or she is considered ‘in love’ with another individual. Years passed though and the term sex did develop a particular connotation on being casual, something that is simply done because one wants to. Some even say that it is a need especially to respond to the health needs of men. Whether these connotations are true or not, it could not be denied that the condition of recognizing sex’s role in the society and among human individuals have largely taken a differential stand through the years.

Marriage, which was supposed to be the element that sanctifies the act of sexual relations between two people have been diminished into something that is even less than a matter that is respected by many . The fact is, sex has even become a commodity; something that could be bought and is considered a legal product in some parts of the world like Canada. Ever since the 19^th century, Canada’s set of constitutional laws surround human relationships along with sexual connections through selling has always been nominal (Robertson, 2003, web). Nevertheless, there are particular sanctions that even though exchanging sex for money is legal, makes it hard to obtain for many in the said country. Question is, should the said act of selling sex or also noted as sex work be completely legalized in Canada? The discussion that follows shall dwell on the most complex and most controversial issues surrounding the said condition of social development in the said country of concern.

Background of the Issue

The condition of sex work in Canada is that it is problematic. Most often than not, people who are confronted with the situation are in need of knowing whether or not they are to consider sex work as something of a moral barricade or should they accept its status of being a consensual act between two adult individuals (Nathanson, et al, 166). These individuals are noted as those who are old enough to decide for what they want to do with their own lives, or in this case, their own bodies. Relatively, it could be understood that somehow this specific condition of thinking sets a division among the individuals living in Canada as to how they should actually accept the status of sex work in their community.

The two branching ideas about sex work in the country could be noted to be related to being conservative individuals, there are those who believe that sex work should be completely eliminated in the community as it represents a low grade distinction on what moral foundations Canada is specifically founded upon (The Vancouver Sun, 2012, web). On the other end, there are also those who consider sexual relations as common or at times being necessary especially if the individuals who are committed to the act [for the time being] agree to the matter may it be in exchange of money or anything else (The Vancouver Sun, 2012, web).

Nevertheless, as mentioned earlier, there are sanctions to such application of law on sex work in the country. One is that there are no brothels [or areas of sex-selling] that should be established within the territories of the country (Nathanson, et al, 166). This means that when one wants to give service or maybe pay for one, then directly contacting the ‘service provider’ becomes necessary. With such problematic situations, it is specifically necessary to create a more specific rule that would guide the Canadian community with the necessary conditions of considerations that they have to attend to when it comes to issues of sex work and prostitution. Relatively, it could be expected that such a clearer condition stipulated law about prostitution would not only resolve social division about the said issue, but would also provide better guideline on what should be done or not in relation to how the people view sex work and prostitution. Should it be completely legalized or should it and its specific constitutes be put on hold thus creating stricter rules and probably harsher punishments for those who would not follow the law?

What is being proposed to the Court?

There are again, two options of argumentation presented to the court. From the conservative members of the society comes the implicative distinction that legalizing sex work would actually degrade the current moral status of the nation thus creating more problems relative to the existence of health issues brought about by promiscuous sexual acts; this same claim is being disagreed upon by the other party (The Vancouver Sun, 2003, web). Practically those who are involved in sex working activities believe that legalizing the matter would make it easier for them to get government support especially when it comes to health protection therefore the condition of service that they are to provide would not endanger their clients at any cost.

Sexual relations has been exploited many times through media. In Canada, such option of seeing sexual connection between people has become rather common especially when it comes to media presentations. Relatively, this approach to the matter makes it easier for the society to accept the act of sexual intercourse as somewhat acceptable, common and therefore it should be legalized. Treating the act as a means of commodity or a product that can be sold and can be bought makes it rather a common matter for men and women to incur whenever they want to with whomever they choose to do it with. True to its sense, this acceptance about the status of sexual connection between people completely delineates from the desire of keeping such relationship sanctified and specifically exclusive for married couples alone.

What legalization might do to the society

Likely, it could be understood from this particular matter that the real measuring gauge in this issue is that of the human morals and how it actually developed through the years. Back in the days, to speak about sexual relations is even considered as a taboo. However, today, even youngsters at the age of 12 actually brag about their experiences with their boyfriends, girlfriends or with just anybody they happen to choose to mate with (Nathanson, et al, 167). This is the sad truth that the society has been subjected to along with the implicative assumptions of modern media and the promotion that it conveys in relation to sexual promiscuity. What makes the situation even harder to handle is that it assumes the condition by which people have changed their views about moral conditions that are specifically having a great impact on how the society develops into something less respective of the privacy of particular connections that they create between each other.

While some others say that sex is something common and should not be regulated at any point, its not being sanctioned under particular rules could impose of its particular disdain status. Sex workers may say that they only respond to what their clients need. According to the idealisms of Marxist Feminism, sex work is nothing different from providing labor. It is legitimate work that should be paid for. This means that there should be no distinct differential consideration on how a woman or a man would decide to put on their physical capacities to be able to do work that pays (MF, 2013, web). Whatever they do is specifically in par with the payment that they receive. Some even argue that since they are professionals, the existence of emotional problems after the act should not be feared upon nor should be a source of personal doubt on the part of the clients. Question is, could this be really true? Considering the sexual relations is probably the most ultimate process of sharing one’s being with another, is it possible that emotions would be set aside from such matter, could the physical act be separated completely from its emotional value?

Max Weber on the other end tries to divulge the truth about prostitution as a form of culture. He insists in his theories on social development that its stand as being moral or immoral would depend on how the society specifically views the act as a form of culture or a form of defiance to their morality (Weber, 1987, web). For some, this could be true, nevertheless, the assumption on people getting in and out of sexual relationships due to their job is somewhat scarring especially on the part of those offering the service. Some of these individuals do the act or take the job because of specific financial needs along with particular employment issues. Relatively, since sex work provides more money with a shorter time of work, there are those who accept the said ‘work’ to be the only source of living for them and their family. Later on, there are those who engage in the business who eventually become professionals thus providing higher-rate of service to higher-ranking clients in the society. It is from this notion that sex work is considered by some as somewhat legitimate and should be accepted fully.

Conclusion

The consequences in relation to such legalization act however questions several conditions of human growth and development especially in relation to the moral standards they wish to follow. The current sanctions in relation to the Canadian Law on the allowable options of sex work are indeed problematic. Nevertheless, choosing to legalize the act would be an even more confusing situation as it would increase the possibility of people becoming less respective of the other gender, taking morality and family ties for granted and at some point even risking themselves into catching deadly sex-related ailments. No matter how it is placed, humans should be able to distinguish right from wrong and at any cost be ready to take side on what is morally acceptable than specifically letting go of any particular rules to be able to follow what their hearts desire. Thinking more of what the matter could impose on the development of the society on moral grounds should be given specific attention to. This is in realization of the fact that however the court decides on the matter today would largely affect the future of Canada’s incoming generations.

References:

Marx, Karl. (2013). Marxist Feminism. http://www.feministissues.com/marxist.html. Retrieved on August 1 2013.

Nathanson, Paul; Katherine K. Young (2006). Legalizing Misandry: From Public Shame to Systemic Discrimination Against Men. McGill-Queen’s University Press. p. 166.

Robertson, James R. (19 September 2003). “Prostitution“. Department of Justice. http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection-R/LoPBdP/CIR/822-e.htm. Retrieved on July 29, 2013.

The Vancouver Sun. (2012). The Staggering Incoherence of Canada’s Prostitution Laws. http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2010/06/14/the-staggering-incoherence-of-canadas-prostitution-laws/. Retrieved on July 29, 2013.

Weber, Max. (1897). Definition of Sociology. http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/weber.htm. Retrieved on August 1 2013.