We have “the duty to imagine a world without prostitution as we imagine a world without slavery, without apartheid, without gender-based violence, without female infanticide and without genital mutilation”. This statement centers around a global debate over whether or not prostitution is a form of exploitation or whether it is a profession that should be regulated – an argument strongly championed by the feminist movement. The question to be debated is this: if the legitimization of prostitution gives these women the rights they deserve, it also authorizes "pimping, the purchase of sexual services and the ownership of brothels", and therefore how does this influences the socialization of young boys, in terms of consent and the treatment of women. This will be done with reference to a popular Hollywood film, Pretty Woman, in order to highlight the limits of consent as it relates to prostitutes, and how this also influences the argument for decriminalization and the true reflection of violence to which women face from their prostitutes. consumers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay As prostitution is generally seen as lowly women's work, or one that a woman is forced to participate in, a stigma is then created around the limits of what is allowed in this environment, an argument that is based in the idea of ​​the continued criminalization of prostitution, and the effects this can have on the safety of these women. Journalist Geneviève Carbery writes, in an Irish Times article titled "Prostitution should be classed as gender-based violence", that many sex workers were reluctant to tell the Gardaí about their violent attacks because they feared being judged. This strongly echoes rape culture, in which such violence is normalized, implying that the stigma surrounding rape and gender-based violence leaves many women afraid to come forward. However, prostitutes face even greater obstacles, due to the socialization of consent in the media, leading many to believe that the act of violence is justifiable because she is a prostitute. Although decriminalization can arguably have these effects, it is clear through the depiction of prostitution in popular culture that there is already a certain degree of socialization regarding consent and how a woman is treated if it is associated with sex work. While Pretty Woman is presented as a romantic comedy, this image is regularly shattered throughout the film. For example, during an argument about how Edward had confided to others that Vivian was a prostitute, he said, "I hate to point out the obvious, but you are actually a whore." You are my employee". As the two reconcile a few minutes later, reforming the romantic plot, it is clear that their relationship is more of an arrangement based on monetary payment, which is again confirmed later in the film , in which he proposes a trip to New York, but again offers her payment to do so. In a later scene, Vivian is alone with Edwards' business partner, and despite the fact that she rejected him in. stepping back and telling her no, he said, “What? You’re not a whore,” before slapping her and pushing her to the ground with the intention of raping her. he is surprised by proclaiming: "she's a whore, man". This interaction is vital in the context of the.