NCJ Number
182040
Journal
Deviant Behavior Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: October-December 1999 Pages: 335-358
Date Published
1999
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study examines public support for legalization of prostitution.
Abstract
Using a sample of over 1,500 adults from throughout the United States, the study examined public opinion regarding the legalization of prostitution in the United States, with attention to the demographic and attitudinal predictors of support for legalization of prostitution. The findings indicate that a substantial minority of Americans (18 percent) favor the legalization of prostitution. There are demographic differences that correlate with attitudes toward legalization. Males, Catholics, residents from western States, and whites were more likely to favor the legalization of prostitution than their counterparts. Age also had a positive relationship with attitude toward the legalization of prostitution. The study further shows that there are certain attitudes about other issues that correlate with favoring legalization; those individuals who were more tolerant toward gambling were also more likely to favor the legalization of prostitution. The impact of these findings and their ramifications for legalization of prostitution are discussed. 1 table, 40 references, and appended survey instrument