Prostitution in America VS. Prostitution in Greece
Becker’s idea of Deviant Career
Prostitution – Prostitution is defined as the practice of sexual activity with someone for payment. Often described as sexual services or commercial sex. Despite deep controversy of sex work, it remains one of the oldest occupations in the English speaking world. Various forms of sex work and prostitution acts can be legal illegal depending on the act. Prostitution often takes place in a brothel which is a dedicated place of prostitution, in an escort fashion which takes place in the customers home or hotel or in the place of a street prostitution. Studies show that prostitutes can be males but are most commonly females with male clients creating around one hundred billion dollars in revenue. In many places prostitution is illegal, such as America, and considered exploitation of females and children. Often times, when prostitution is illegal it contributes to the growing force of sex trafficking. In other parts such as, Greece, it is considered a normal and successful occupation.
Prostitution in America
Prostitution is illegal in most parts of the United States of America. It is based on state laws and regulations rather than in a federal state of law. Prostitution is not under the enumerated powers under the federal government. Therefore, it is the states duty to control commercial sex under the tenth amendment of The United States of America’s constitution. Prostitution is fined as a misdemeanor in illegal states. Currently, Nevada is the only state that considers prostitution as legal, with the rest of the states in the country deeming it as illegal.
Prostitution in Greece
Prostitution is legal at the age of eighteen in Greece. Many females that suffered from the economic crisis turned to prostitution for financial relief during poverty. There are multiple different indicators that determine if someone can engage in prostitution work in Greece. For instance, one must be free of STDs and STIs, must be clear of mental illnesses, and not have a drug addiction. In addition, one can not have a record of homicide, pimping, child pornography, trafficking, and robbery. All of these laws are Greece’s effort to regulate prostitution in Greece. Human trafficking is less common in Greece because of the legality of prostitution in the country.
Regulation in America
Prostitution is illegal in The United States of America. It is not considered a valuable job in society. There is a negative connotation around the sex work of prostitution. Depending on the severity, number of offenses, and location determines the punishment for the crime. Punishment can range from no jail time to six years of jail time. Fines can range from $200 to $150,000. Prostitution also comes with a negative connotation of stigmatizing words such as “whore” and “slut.” In a way the negative connotation and reputation of the negative work force occupation, can be a regulation to people in society in it’s own, causing people to not want to engage in the work area because of the reputation it would build upon them. Additionally, the thought around prostitution is centered around women which creates a stereotype of the work force. Although, men can be prostitutes the connotation is favorable of women with negative outlooks upon those females. On another hand, the regulation and illegality of prostitution causes more force and violence in efforts to produce the work force. Engaging in illegal sex work can become more forced because of the illegal force of the occupation.Studies show that a prostitute gets attacked at least once a month while working. Although, prostitution is only legal in Nevada, there is an estimate of 1 million prostitutes in America. Between 70 and 80 thousand people are arrested a year for illegal prostitution.
Regulation in Greece
As discussed previously, Greece has multiple regulations to being a prostitute in the country. Such as, medical regulations, legal regulations, and mental health regulations within people interested in prostitution work forces. In Greece there is less violence in prostitution occupations because of the fact that it is legal in this country. Prostitutes are mandated to have check ups every two weeks in Greece and carry a medical card with them at all times, given to them after each checkup. Although, prostitutes in Greece can engage in street prostitution, and escorting but, the prostitute must be linked to a licensed brothel in the country. In addition, the brothel must be licensed and comply with mandated inspections. It is thought that less than 1,000 prostitutes are legally employed in prostitution(). Although, it is a legal occupation there is still around 10,000 prostitutes that are performing employment in this occupation illegally.
Power, Institutions, Demographics
Power- Ultimately, the power lies within the hands of the government, state or federal laws that enforce or ban prostitution as an occupation. In a broad spectrum, the government places immediate regulation of prostitution by placing laws against engaging in the activity. Breaking the law can lead to fines and punishment like in The United States. In places like Greece with legal prostitution, the power lies in the hands of regulation and what allows for someone to be a prostitute. Additionally, prostitution can be in the power of social stigma. For instance, the society, religion, and ethics can also aid to the control over prostitution engagement or not.
Institutions- Most prostitution takes places in brothels. In America prostitution can take place in an illegal brothel, but in Greece the prostitutes can work out of legal brothels. Under the regulations brothels in Greece must be up to date on mandated regulations and license. Goffman, would consider this a stigmatized group that can be passed. Unless conversation strikes, it can be rather easy to conceal engaging in the activity of prostitution in both legal and illegal areas. Especially, in illegal prostitution areas it is necessary for the action to be passed in order to avoid repercussions.
Demographics-
- World wide there is an estimate of 40 to 42 million prostitutes
- 80 % of prostitutes range from 13-25
- 1- 2 million prostitutes in the United States
- Only 8% of prostitutes are males
- Pricing of prostitution ranges, with an impact on appearance, ethnicity, race, and age with darker skin making the least amount of money.
In Conclusion– Relations
Stanley Cohen may consider prostitution a moral panic because of the negative connotation the occupation carries but the low risk and threat to society. It is something that is very frowned upon but doesn’t really pose a threat to society when taking all precautions necessary. In terms of moral panics, exaggeration in prostitution is high. The thought of prostitutes being “whores” or “sluts” causes exaggeration to their occupation. Considering that Greece is a legal area of prostitution, Becker would consider prostitutes in this area as “outsiders.” Even though prostitution is legal in Greece it is not accepted by all. Prostitutes can still be considered outsiders because of the social stigma around the group and the negative image carried by one. In both legal and illegal areas of prostitution can engage in Becker’s posed labeling theory. The idea that the social world places the stigma around the person. As discussed earlier, the derogatory words that are placed around prostitutes labels these groups as deviant within society. Additionally, it could be argued that people who are in a place of illegal prostitution activity can fall into a conforming behavior activity. For instance, if the action is illegal or frowned upon by society one may conform to insider behavior to prevent becoming an outsider status.
Protecting the Rights of Prostitutes in the Work Force
There are a multitude of state, country, and nationally wide websites that enforce well-being of prostitutes with descriptions of rights and regulations. They are easy accessible for those in needs.
Discussion Question
How would Becker determine the outsider group of prostitutes in terms of the different religions present in Greece? Each religion has different beliefs and it would be interesting to look at outsider status of individuals based on their religious beliefs rather than a government controlled or law regulated point of view.
References
Becker, H. S. (1997). Outsiders. London: Free Press.
Cohen, S. (2015). Folk devils and moral panics: the creation of the Mods and Rockers. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
US Federal and State Prostitution Laws and Related Punishments. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://prostitution.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000119
Is Prostitution Safer When It’s Legal? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/04/19/is-legalized-prostitution-safer/ignore-the-stigma-of-prostitution-and-focus-on-the-need
Stardust, Z. Z. (2019, September 17). The stigma of sex work comes with a high cost. Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/the-stigma-of-sex-work-comes-with-a-high-cost-79657
How Many Prostitutes Are in the United States and the Rest of the World? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://prostitution.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000095
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