Day 2. Thinking more about choice.

I was thinking more about whether prostitution is a choice. I think there are definitely some cases where it is, some cases where it's not, and a lot of cases where it is a little gray.


I read an article by someone who read Nicholas Kristof's book, Half the Sky. Nicholas Kristof is a reporter for the NY Times and writes a lot about injustice. I follow his writing and really love what he is doing. Half the Sky is a book about women's oppression around the world and how people can fight against it. The article I read was called "Is Prostitution a Choice?" This person said, "I think it is the result of the mainstream economic system’s deliberate (and successful) maneuvers to keep women from engaging in and benefiting from the established labor force in a meaningful way." I would agree that economic systems are a contributing factor to prostitution feeling less like a choice. Societal and family views of women and their roles are another. It is definitely not cut and dry. 


Nicholas Kristof wrote an article called "Sex Work versus Prostitution". There is a debate about whether they should be referred to as "prostitutes" or "sex workers". He thinks that "prostitute" is the better word. He said, "I don’t see any reason for euphemisms, particularly those that tend to legitimize something that is usually closely linked to organized crime and violence." He agrees that trafficking is a complex issue, but that much more foreign aid is needed to fight forced prostitution. 

International Justice Mission is an organization that fights injustice and is asking President Obama to increase foreign aid and support to end modern-day slavery. You can sign a petition here to make this happen. This is one simple effort that takes only seconds but can make change happen.