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While widely acknowledged as the world's oldest profession, and often glamorized or demonized in the media, prostitution is a critical part of American culture and its economy, as well as a social problem in need of an updated public policy.
In Prostitution Policy, Lenore Kuo combines feminist social research and legal studies to tackle issues raised by heterosexual prostitution in the U.S. Through the lens of feminist theory, Kuo examines the milieu of prostitutes and the role of prostitution in contemporary society, and how the interplay of those two works itself out in practice.
Moving beyond theoretical analysis of prostitution, Prostitution Policy turns to the complicated problem of formulating a reasonable legal policy that minimizes harm. Kuo discusss criminalization, legalization, and decriminalization as possible approaches, ultimately arguing for a unique form of decriminalization including detailed legal oversight and mandatory social services.
"Kuo presents a carefully argued set of proposals for a feminist public policy on adult heterosexual prostitution. Kuo believes that the ultimate aim of feminist policy should not be to abolish adult heterosexual prostitution but rather radically to transform it. She therefore recommends not only legal solutions but also many extra-legal governmental supports for sex workers. Kuos uniquely comprehensive and systematic proposals provide an indispensable standard for all future discussions of adult heterosexual prostitution policy."
— Alison M. Jaggar,University of Colorado, Boulder<
"Kuos inclusion of international data and diverse prostitutes voices is distinctly valuable and her policy recommendations most thought-provoking. This book is an important contribution to the feminist dialogue on prostitution policy. It permits us to move beyond the standard oppression versus choice arguments to other, less polarized perspectives on prostitution."
— Rosemarie Tong,University of North Carolina, Charlotte
"An interesting and enlightening read on one of todays hottest topics"