The main conceptual problem in surrogacy — the production and sale of a child — reduces both women and children to commodities in commerce: things. Many articles and books can be found describing the horrors of surrogacy. Exploitation is common, with abuse and slave-like conditions for women. Often, several eggs are implanted to ensure that one of them will produce; but if that results in... Continue Reading
Dennis Hof, Republican candidate for the Nevada Assembly, owns a third of the state's legal brothels and refers to selling women like McDonalds burgers — a cheap and replaceable commodity. Most of us have heard the statement that prostitution is the oldest profession. It’s not true. Prostitution is neither the oldest (agriculture, hunting) nor a “profession” (requiring education,... Continue Reading
Seventeen years after the end of a brutal civil war, Guatemala’s human rights record remains appalling. Since its independence from Spain in 1821, Guatemala was ruled mostly by dictators and commercial interests. Late in the 20th century, resistance to the government grew and the country was devastated over the course of a 36-year-long civil war, which ended in 1996 with the signing of the... Continue Reading
Sex trafficking would not exist without the “market” provided by prostitution. According to Gunilla Eckberg, former adviser on human trafficking to the Swedish government: “The prostitution of women and girls for profit is one of the fastest growing global enterprises.” It is ranked by the United Nations as number two in international crime, tied with illegal arms... Continue Reading
