Tolerance of nonconformity and its effect on attitudes toward the legalization of prostitution: a multivariate analysis

Abstract

Mala prohibita, or victimless crimes, and societal reaction to those acts, have been a topic of interest in the social sciences for many years. This study provides an in-depth examination of public support for legalization of one of the oldest mala prohibita acts, prostitution. Using a sample of over 1,500 adults from throughout the United States, this study examines public opinion toward legalization of prostitution in the United States in an attempt to determine demographic and attitudinal predictors of support for legalization of prostitution in the United States. The results from this study indicate that a substantial minority of Americans (18 percent) favor legalization of prostitution. Furthermore, there are demographic differences that affect attitudes toward legalization as well, as men, Catholics, residents from the western states, and Whites are more likely to favor legalization of prostitution than their counterparts. Moreover, age has a positive relationship with attitudes toward legalization of prostitution as well. Finally, this study also indicates that there are attitudinal determinants of public opinion toward prostitution, as those individuals who are more tolerant toward what many perceive as a deviant behavior, gambling, are also more likely to favor legalization of prostitution. The impact of these findings and the ramifications of legalization of prostitution are also discussed.