Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
• Debating Morality
Scholars argue pornography, prostitution, and drug use erodes
the moral fabric of society.
What is offensive to some is accepted by others
Influence of cultural values help regulate definitions of morality
Law and Morality
• Social Harm
Certain behaviors run contrary to social norms, customs, and
values (I.E. Prostitution)
The “seven deadly sins” are not illegal (lust, gluttony, avarice,
sloth, envy, pride, or anger)
Acts viewed as being illegal are viewed as a threat to morality
and referred to as public order crimes
Homosexuality
• Moral Crusaders
Vigilantes held a strict standard of morality in the early West
Public order crimes are often shaped by moral crusaders (moral
entrepreneurs) who suggest their way is righteous
Acts are illegal because they violate the moral standards of those
in power and those who try to shape public opinion
Paraphilias
• Types of Prostitutes
Streetwalkers: (lowest paid and most vulnerable)
Bar girls: (B-girls spend their time working out of bars)
Brothel prostitutes: (supervised by a madam)
Call girls: (aristocrats of prostitution that can make up to $1,500
per night)
Escort services/Call Houses: (fronts for prostitution rings)
Circuit travelers: (groups of 2 or 3 traveling to lumbar or labor
camps)
Skeezers: barter drugs for sex
Massage parlors/photo studios: fronts for prostitution
Cyber Prostitutes (Internet facilitated contact)
Prostitution
• Becoming a Prostitute
Broken homes and sexual abuse
Poor school performance
Drug abuse
Prostitution
• Controlling Prostitution
Federal Mann Act (1925)
Misdemeanor punishable by a fine or short jail sentence in most
states
The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
made it illegal to travel abroad to engage in sex with a child
Prostitution
• Legalize Prostitution?
Feminists have conflicting views (male domination to free choice)
Advocates of both views argue penalties should be reduced
Some argue legalization creates security for prostitutes
Pornography
• Child Pornography
Most controversial and reprehensible of the business
“Kiddie Porn” is considered uncontested pornography and
becoming widespread on the Internet
Philip Jenkins suggests enforcement efforts should be focused on
the suppliers and not the users
Pornography
• Technological Change
Recent reports place pornography at a $10 billion per year
business
Communications Decency Act was ruled to unconstitutionally
restrict free speech
The Child Pornography Prevention Act of 1996 (CPPA)
Substance Abuse
• Casa Survey
• Teens who are sexually active are more likely to drink, more
likely to get drunk, more likely to have tried marijuana, and
more likely to smoke
• Teens who spend 25 hours a week or more with
boyfriends/girlfriends are more likely to drink, get drunk, have
tried marijuana, and more likely to smoke
• Girls with boyfriends two or more years older are more likely
to drink, get drunk, have tried marijuana, and more likely to
smoke
• Are the Surveys Accurate?
Drug users may boast about their behaviors
NSDUH misses people who are homeless, in prison, or drug
rehabilitation
Substance Abuse
• Weblink
www.casacolumbia.org
Substance Abuse
• Drug Legalization
War against drugs has expensive ($500 billion over the past 20
years)
Banning drugs creates networks of manufacturers much like
Prohibition (Ethan Nadelmann)
If legalized, drugs could be controlled and regulated by the
government
Crime rate would likely drop as users no longer need less cash to
support their habit
Some suggest legalization might increase drug usage based on
availability