Introduction
Under the broad category of sexual ethics is prostitution, one of the contemporary moral concerns in our society. Prostitution, in its moral perspectives, can be intertwined with the elements of utilitarianism. The usefulness of an individual for the greater good is the foundational principle of utilitarianism (Gunawan et al. 57). If prostitution makes the majority of society’s members happy, then it gains support from the utilitarian perspective. In his YouTube video explanation of utilitarianism, Miller argues that if an action brings pleasure to the vast majority in the community or a society of people, it is reasonable because it has a positive perspective from all the parties involved. However, on moral and ethical grounds, the sex workers and the society are the primary parties that this philosophy considers justifying whether the goodness that comes with prostitution outweighs the bad or the wrong cause of action.
Discussion
Another way that utilitarianism supports the moral standpoint on prostitution is by considering the persons involved, those hurt by a particular cause, and those who benefit. If prostitution benefits most individuals, it has support anchored on the second aspect of utilitarianism. For example, the impoverished racial minorities in America, whose study shows that they form the larger numbers involved in the sex trade (Gore et al. 23).
If these people reap more benefits from exercising prostitution. If society allows and upholds it as morally acceptable, then sex work and utilitarianism converge. Some people will be hurt by sex work; if a woman engages in prostitution to gain financially, feed her hungry children, or support their studies, the beneficiaries are the children. However, the sex worker may suffer guilt, social stigma, or depression; the fact that she engages in prostitution to cater to her family’s well-being offers some relief.
Utilitarianism prominently focuses on both long- and short-term gains in determining the utmost beneficial cause of action. This represents the third way this ethical theory of utilitarianism consents to prostitution. The truth is that people who offer sex services face difficulties. Again, it is not ideal that every member of society would accept that sex work is the best and the outright cause of action (Miller). There is no absolutism that society fully supports prostitution; nevertheless, the philosophical standpoints on this moral concern are supported by relative truths that some cultures acknowledge (McQuade 156). What would be the long-term benefit of prostitution to society? That is a complex question that demands a multi-disciplinary approach. The ethical discipline alone may only demystify it if engaging other areas, including legal, religious, and policy development, among other fields.
Conclusion
Lastly, utilitarianism’s ethical viewpoint acknowledges that only one right decision produces the maximum net benefit. There are instances when prostitution becomes the only best cause of action one can take. The benefits we discuss attach themselves to society’s socio-economic and political aspects. A substantial number of women in society have faced a rough past, and mental traumas of the turbulent childhood may manifest in prostitution (Rakić 1209). Others may be educated with degrees but lack employment, which may drive them to engage in prostitution. Concerning this, fresh graduates are in a dilemma on what business to involve in. Is it living without a source of income or being a sex worker? Many governments, including the United States, have neither legalized prostitution nor declared it a criminal activity. Such a scenario leads to an ethical and moral dilemma; utilitarianism is among the numerous rational explanations for this situation.
Works Cited
Gore, Manisha N., and Avinash R. Patwardhan. “Disparities in the Cost of Living Adjusted Earnings of Female Sex Workers in India, Thailand, and the USA: A Need to Create an Equitable Economic Survival of Female Sex Workers.” Journal of Primary Care & Community Health 13 (2022).
Gunawan, Riyan, et al. “Behavior Motives and Legal Study of Commercial Sex Workers Around Pemalang District Terminal Area.” Law Research Review Quarterly 6.1 (2020): 53-68.
McQuade, Aidan. Ethical Leadership: Moral Decision-making under Pressure. Vol. 2. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG, 2022. Web.
Miller, W, director. Ethics 5 Utilitarianism. YouTube. 2008. Web.
Rakić, Vojin. “Prostitutes, sex surrogates and sugar babies.” Sexuality & Culture 24.5 (2020): 1207-1217. Web.