Becoming a prostitute has certain benefits and costs. One benefit is the potential to earn money quickly. Costs include safety, health, and social stigma. By working for a program that helps women transition from their life on the street to a normal life, you are helping to lower the cost of going into the prostitution profession.
She quickly pointed out that it was unlikely that anyone entered prostitution directly because of her choice to volunteer. Surely, she must be correct. Her effect on the potential prostitutes is probably is not perceivable by someone initially considering whether to become a prostitute in the first place. Even if her effect was perceivable by a potential prostitute, her effect in helping women in isolation would likely be such a small factor compared to all the factors one must consider before becoming a prostitute. Thus, her volunteering is unlikely to be the deciding factor in any woman’s choice. Both points are very well taken.
She quickly pointed out that it was unlikely that anyone entered prostitution directly because of her choice to volunteer. Surely, she must be correct. Her effect on the potential prostitutes is probably is not perceivable by someone initially considering whether to become a prostitute in the first place. Even if her effect was perceivable by a potential prostitute, her effect in helping women in isolation would likely be such a small factor compared to all the factors one must consider before becoming a prostitute. Thus, her volunteering is unlikely to be the deciding factor in any woman’s choice. Both points are very well taken.
Although I basically agree with the above two premises of hers, and her argument is strong, I still believe she promotes prostitution at the end of the day. When considering the effect one has on potential prostitutes, one has to consider the aggregate effects. That is to say, although her acts in isolation do not cause people to become prostitutes, when you consider the acts of all the volunteers at all locations that support recovering prostitutes, their combined effect is likely tremendous. Without any volunteers, I’d imagine some centers for women would not be able to operate. With volunteers, you have programs, and the costs of prostitution lowers significantly.
My analysis on her effect on prostitution is essentially similar to the aggregation principle articulated by our Supreme Court in Wickard v. Filburn, 317 U.S. 111 (1942) or more recently in Gonzales v. Raich, 545 U.S. 1 (2005). My argument is similar to the way our legal system considers the aggregate effects of an action in deciding whether an action affects commerce for purposes of the Commerce Clause of our Constitution. In short, all the little acts add up and have a big effect.What do you think?
