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Prostitution has long been viewed as one of the most misunderstood and mythologized harms inflicted on women, rooted deeply in patriarchal structures.
Historical philosophers, such as Thomas Aquinas, likened prostitution to a sewer system—necessary yet despised.
Prostitution is frequently oversimplified as a victimless crime that fulfills men's sexual desires while undermining the plight of women involved.
This situation divides women into two classes: the respectable (“wives” or “girlfriends”) and the disrespected (“whores”), who exist to fulfill male desires.

Feminism has historically addressed issues like rape and domestic violence but has yet to uniformly confront prostitution within its broader agenda.
A subset of feminists now advocates for the acceptance of prostitution as a legitimate career choice, despite evident contradictions.
Recent feminist literature portrays prostitution as a viable option for women, even though many proponents have no personal experience in the industry.

The narrative that champions prostitution as a choice ignores the multifaceted factors influencing women’s decisions, including socioeconomic realities such as poverty and sexism.
Pro-prostitution ideology often overlooks the systemic violence women face in commercial sex, presuming these women make free choices when many are coerced or constrained by circumstance.
Advocates of prostitution sometimes trivialize the issue by focusing on societal stigmatization rather than on the actual violence and exploitation that accompany sex work.

Gail Pheterson's anthology highlights the historical perspective of prostitutes as victims versus the contemporary view of women making active decisions to enter sex work.
The problematic notion of choice fails to recognize that limited options can be misconstrued as empowerment.
Many women entering prostitution are survivors of sexual abuse, revealing a complex relationship between past trauma and current choices.

The abolitionist perspective views prostitution as a crime against women and pushes for stricter laws against exploitation, differing from liberal reformists who advocate for decriminalization.
Both sides strive for the recognition and legal rights of prostitutes, yet differ fundamentally in how they perceive the institution of prostitution itself.
Pro-prostitution advocates risk silencing the voices of women who truly experience exploitation, often manipulating narratives to fit their ideological frameworks.

The author shares personal experiences in prostitution, claiming empowerment at first but later realizing the profound impact of dehumanization.
Each narrative reinforces the notion that while some may view prostitution as a choice, it often leads to a loss of self and can result in dire consequences for women involved.
Ultimately, understanding the complexities of prostitution extends beyond personal agency and taps into broader societal and economic structures that perpetuate exploitation.

The author's main argument emphasizes the following key points:

Complexity of Choice: The author argues that the notion of prostitution as a choice often ignores the multifaceted socio-economic factors, including poverty and systemic violence, that influence women's decisions to enter sex work. Many women do not have true agency, as their options are severely limited.
Exploitation vs. Empowerment: The text highlights the problematic view that equates prostitution with empowerment. While some women may perceive their involvement as a choice, many are survivors of trauma and abuse, indicating that this choice can be a response to exploitation rather than true empowerment.
Dichotomy of Perspectives: The author points out the divide between abolitionist and pro-prostitution movements, illustrating that while both sides aim to address the rights of sex workers, they fundamentally differ in their understanding and framing of prostitution—either as a crime against women or a legitimate form of work. This influences how the narratives surrounding prostitution are constructed.

Complexity of Choice: The author's argument emphasizes that the notion of prostitution as a choice often neglects the socio-economic factors, such as poverty and systemic violence, that constrain women's agency. Many women enter sex work not out of true choice but due to limited options.
Exploitation vs. Empowerment: The text challenges the idea that prostitution equates to empowerment. While some individuals may perceive their participation as a choice, many are survivors of trauma and abuse, suggesting that their involvement may stem from exploitation rather than empowerment.
Dichotomy of Perspectives: The author highlights the ideological divide between abolitionist and pro-prostitution movements. Both advocate for the rights of sex workers, but they fundamentally differ in their framing of prostitution—either as a crime against women or a legitimate form of work—affecting how the issue is perceived and addressed.