Examining Policy Preferences for Prostitution Regulation Among American Males: The Influence of Contextual Beliefs

• Author: Justin T. Pickett,Dominique Roe-Sepowitz,Christina Mancini,Kristen M. Budd,Stephanie Bontrager
• Published date: 01 December 2020
• Date: 01 December 2020
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0734016820906601
• Subject Matter: Articles

Article

Examining Policy Preferences

for Prostitution Regulation

Among American Males: The

Influence of Contextual Beliefs

Christina Mancini

1

, Justin T. Pickett

2

, Kristen M. Budd

3

,

Stephanie Bontrager

4

, and Dominique Roe-Sepowitz

5

Abstract

The arguments for criminalizing prostitution surround public concerns—moral order, public health,

and safety. For this reason, an understanding of attitudes about the nature and consequences of the

practice, particularly among American males, the presumed consumers of sex-related exchanges, is

needed. Specifically, how do contextual beliefs about the nature of prostitution (e.g., negative health

effects, victimization risk, age of entry) shape policy preferences regarding prostitution? Data from a

nationally representative survey developed to solicit sensitive information are utilized to assess

these attitudes among a large sample of American men (N¼2,525). Results show that paradoxically

most men approve of legalizing commercial sex exchange, even while believing the practice harms

prostitutes by increasing victimization risk and reducing their overall well-being. Multivariate analysis

indicates divides in opinion regarding legalization support. Implications are discussed.

Keywords

public order crime, other, criminal victimization, crime policy, courts/law

With the exception of select jurisdictions in Nevada, the nearly universal prohibition of prostitution

suggests the perception that the exchange of sex for money is deviant (Birch & Ireland, 2015; also

Scott, 2011) and, as some would argue, particularly harmful to those who work within the sex

industry (Benoit et al., 2018).

1

But, is this premise shared among the American public, particularly

among men who as a group are disproportionately more likely to purchase commercial sex (Shively

1

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

2

School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, SUNY, NY, USA

3

Sociology and Criminology Department, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA

4

School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies, Tarleton University, TX, USA

5

School of Social Work, Arizona State University, AZ, USA

Corresponding Author:

Christina Mancini, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University,

1003 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284, USA.

Email: cnmancini@vcu.edu

Criminal Justice Review

2020, Vol. 45(4) 413-429

ª2020 Georgia State University

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DOI: 10.1177/0734016820906601

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et al., 2012)? Public opinion polls in t he United States hav e assessed broad p erceptions of pros -

titution, such as whether or not to legalize prostitution (Marist Institute Poll, 2016). Much of this

prior scholarship demonstrates that a few sociodemographic factors shape beliefs about policy

responses to legalization efforts (e.g., religiosity, fundamentalism, conservatism; see Cao &

Maguire, 2013; Stack et al., 2010). Comparatively, few investigations have systematically tapped

attitudes regarding the nature of prostitution. By context, we are referring to public perceptions

about the conditions of prostitution, such as its potential to result in health problems and victi-

mization. Additionally, the public might hold views concerning those who are involved in pros-

titution, such as the “Johns” or clients, perceiving, for example, that a large proportion of them are

married. Not least, they may hold opinions concerning the perceived autonomy of prostitutes, such

as the age at which individuals first enter prostitution, whether individuals voluntarily initially

choose to be involved in prostitution, and whether individuals can “desist” or, without interfer-

ence, no longer engage in acts of prostitution.

This is an important area to contribute to, given that public conceptions about the nature or

conditions of prostitution, particularly the extent to which it is perceived as dangerous or voluntary,

might shape their general policy views toward the legalization of prostitution (Levin & Peled, 2011).

This study seeks to address this gap by analyzing the extent to which the aforementioned conceptual

beliefs about prostitution affect support for legalizing prostitution. We focus on the adult male

population in the United States whom others have deemed the “beneficiaries” of prostitution and

as such are affected by policy changes (Cao et al., 2017, p. 1179).

To contribute to extant scholarship, we address two sets of research questions in the current

study. First, we examine the extent to which the public holds certain contextual views. Do a

majority of men view prostitution as resulting in negative effects? Do they, as a group, perceive

a higher rate of victimization among those who engage in acts of prostitution? Among American

men, what estimate is given regarding the proportion of “Johns” who are married? What is the

typical age of entry perceived among the public? What proportion of men judge an initial act of

prostitution to be voluntary? What percentage of men feel prostitutes can voluntarily desist from

engaging in acts of prostitution? Views about the nature and context of prostitution may affect

more general attitudes. Accordingly, for the last question, we test the following: What contextual

perceptions shape policy support for legalization of prostitution, controlling for sociodemographic

predictors?

Previous Research on Attitudes Toward Prostitution

Perceptions of Context

Public opinion scholars have devoted substantial attention toward examining prostitution policy

preferences. Examining judgments about the nature or context of prostitution has been less of a

priority. Thus, we see an opportunity to contribute to the current public opinion literature centered

on understanding prostitution policy views. Understanding this dimension of public perception is

important as views about prostitution might determine judgments about legalization efforts (Levin &

Peled, 2011). Specifically, in this study, we seek to understand public perceptions of the negative

effects of prostitution, the potential risk of victimization to the prostitute, the percentage of clients/

“Johns” who are married, the extent of voluntariness of the exchange and continued “selling” of sex

(i.e., do prostitutes enter the exchange voluntarily and can prostitutes desist without interference,

from a pimp or trafficker?), and the age of onset of prostitution. Below, we rely on prior scholarship

to contextualize these dimensions of public attitudes.

414 Criminal Justice Review 45(4)