Legalizing Prostitution

Ronald Weitzer is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at George Washington University. He is the author of Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business, co-author of Race and Policing in America: Conflict and Reform, and editor of Sex for Sale: Prostitution, Pornography, and the Erotic Dancing.

• List of Tables and Figures PrefacePart I Sex Work 1 Understanding Prostitution 2 Indoor Prostitution: What Makes It Special? Part II Policies: America and Beyond 3 American Policies and Trends 4 Legal Prostitution: A New Frontier Part III Case Studies: Three Red-Light Cities 5 Antwerp and Frankfurt 6 Amsterdam Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index About the Author

"While there are other recent books on prostitution policy, Weitzers book combines cogent ideas with interesting original research material... Verdict: A valuable book for criminal justice policymakers and for serious students of prostitution and crime." (Library Journal) "[This book] offers an authoritative and scholarly glance into the subject of prostitution. Weitzer manages to address the politics of prostitution without delving deep enough into the morality of the issue to confuse the subject...I recommend it to anyone interested in the topic of sex work as well as those interested in land use planning concepts." (Urban Times) "The book is well balanced and includes discussions the author has had with many different authorities, with prostitutes, brothel owners and the police (to name a few). Weitzer also does a good job describing the surroundings that he sees and the book makes for an interesting read....The book...would make for great discussions concerning whether or not prostitution (in its various forms) should be illegal, legal, or decriminalized." - Elin Weiss (Metapsychology) "Thorough and perceptive study." (Springer) "One of the more intelligent, measured and comprehensive looks at alternatives to criminalizing the trade." (Salon) "Weitzer, criminologist and professor of sociology at George Washington University, provides an erudite overview of sex work and detailed case studies of three cities with red-light districts: Antwerp, Belgium; Frankfurt, Germany; and Amsterdam, the Netherlands." (Publishers Weekly)