This post will be centered on the argument made in this article, "Rationalizing Sexual Tourism".
Our author, Ward, gives us a brief picture of the country of Brazil and it's tourism industry. Like many other countries, individual prostitution for one's own sake is legal but institutions such as brothels are outlawed. The Brazilian government knows that prostitution at this level leads to child exploitation and human trafficking yet it's still legal. Throughout her argument, Ward maintains a fairly neutral approach to the reasons a country might support, or at least not actively fight against sexual tourism. She surmises that countries believe sexual tourism to be an economic boost. Even though many politicians know the negative consequences, it still run rampant. Ward suggests that "government officials actually support it (sexual tourism) because it helps to bring prosperity and economic wealth into an otherwise poor country". While this may in fact be true, there are more important issues to worry about.
There is a direct correlation between prostitution and human trafficking. Women and children are swept away to dark rooms in corners of the world to perform acts against their will. Regardless of whether this brings any sort of income into a country, it should be put into check. There won't be a magic fix-all solution but something that could help would be safer environments for those who do choose this line of work, wherever they are in the world. Consenting adults should be allowed to make money however they choose to do so, and be safe as well. I think that if a country can boost their economy through sex tourism, they should sincerely look at their prostitution laws. If they make it legal, it would be safer, and then no child would ever be kidnapped just to suit the kinks of some John.
