Women should have full autonomy over their own bodies- even as a marketable product in exchange for money. Yes, I think prostitution should be legalized.

The female body is undoubtedly America’s hottest commodity. Sex sells, and yet the majority who profit from it are power-wielding men unconcerned with women’s rights or their financial security.

Legalized prostitution would serve two crucial purposes.

Most important, it would curb human sex trafficking by allowing women to use entrepreneurial abilities to support themselves financially.

In conjunction with increased crackdowns by federal and non-governmental organizations that combat human trafficking, the sale of sex can be passed into the hands of those consenting and in need of autonomy.

The CIA, the FBI, the Polaris Project and Children of the Night are government and non-governmental organizations that fight local, national and international sex trafficking crimes.

These groups work to ensure a future where young girls and women will never be forced into a life of slavery, poverty and violence.

The legalization of this age-old trade would also serve as a powerful message to American society and the rest of the world that women’s rights and choices are valued regardless of moral stances.

Legalizing prostitution would be as symbolic as it would be pragmatic. While women such as supermodels, actresses and porn stars are able to use their sex appeal to their advantage, they still do so under the critical and unrealistic eyes of the patriarchy that has constructed our standards.

Even strippers appeal to the demanding expectations of physical beauty, even though, ultimately, they will be ridiculed by society for displaying and profiting from their bodies.

If women (and men) are legally allowed to display their bodies and use them as marketable products, why should this right be limited to voyeuristic activities? Similar to strip clubs, if one does not agree with the existence of legal prostitution, one can easily stay away from it.

The sex industry has found success, despite criticism, in places such as Pahrump County in Nevada and throughout the Netherlands, where their famous “red light district” brings in millions in revenue from a growing sex tourism industry. Dutch prostitutes conduct their business much like any other employee.

Legalized prostitution’s greatest enemy is the conservative American moral structure that preaches virginity, morality, purity and weakness as women’s ultimate values. Despite being contradictory to a culture focused on sex, beauty and power, these patriarchal moralists brainwash the public into believing that women must not engage in any sexual activity, especially if this activity can gain them power, wealth or success, unless the male authority has deemed it acceptable.

Society may not like the idea of nude women dancing in stilettos while raking in cash. But if strippers are legally allowed to use their bodies to their benefit, women should be able to take this body-as-a-commodity belief a step further and gain entire control of any decision they make regarding their physical abilities.

Sex is a natural part of life. Oppression of women is an unfortunate and perpetuated result of this. Denying women the ability to profit from the use of their bodies is simply another way to stifle their growth and success, especially those who may be in need of financial security. We must set aside personal beliefs so that men and women can have full autonomy for their bodies, even when others do not agree.

Women who choose to consensually engage in sex for remuneration are not harming anyone. Until women are allowed control of their bodies, from the choice to use contraceptives, to abortions, to same sex marriages, or to even engage in paid sexual activities, they are still being denied their full rights.

There are complex socioeconomic factors involved in making sure that women do not rely on prostitution out of desperation or financial need. If progressive action was made to curb forced prostitution or sex slavery while promoting the sex industry as an acceptable, consenting opportunity for women who are financially secure, there should be no qualms about letting women make such a choice.

So, if sex sells, shouldn’t women be the ones profiting from it?