Southern New Hampshire University

• SOC 326

• In the book "Sociology of Deviant Behavior," deviance is defined as "deviations from norms that meet with social disapproval and elicit or would likely elicit if detected, negative sanctions. The amount and kind of deviance in a society is related to the degree of social differentiation in that society" (Clinard & Meier, 2016). Within my culture, I grew up learning that the societal norm was to provide for yourself and your family and individual must work. We have the option to choose from a variety of professions, and some may have a low pay rate while others have a much higher pay rate. However, in that variety, some of the professions are considered deviant, for example, prostitution. Prostitution is defined as the business or practice of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. Based on this definition, prostitution is a deviant act because it breaks away from the expectations of cultural and social norms. However, our history shows us that prostitution or "sex work" is the world's oldest profession. According to author Tom Head, "Whenever there have been money, goods or services available for barter, somebody most likely bartered them for sex" (Head, 2017). Today within our society, everything is sexualized, so why are we against legalizing prostitution! Prostitution is considered deviant, and an unnormal sexual behavior and is deemed to be deviant amongst many societies. Prostitution is an unregulated industry that recruits and hires new workers daily, allowing the profession to grow. Prostitution involves individuals that sell their bodies for a profit, which causes it to be a socially relevant classification of deviant behavior. Although it is a profession that is frowned upon, it should be reclassed to help protect and ensure human rights for those that choose the job. Since there is a large part of our population that are employees of prostitution, it should be reclassified and structured to provide safe practices, medical benefits, and most anti-stigmatizing. For many years prostitution has existed, and it will continue to thrive even with legal authorities in place. There will continue to be thousands of employees (sex workers) that will be threatened by