prostitution

Receipt of money for sexual acts. Society's attitude towards prostitution varies according to place and period. In some countries, tolerance is combined with licensing of brothels and health checks on the prostitutes (both male and female).

In the US, laws vary from state to state, with Nevada having legalized prostitution. Where it remains illegal, it is often associated with drug abuse, street crime, and exploitation of children, and many communities expend large resources in an effort to control it. In 1995 UNICEF estimated there were 300,000 people under 18 involved in prostitution in the US.

Sex tourism is a big money-earner in parts of Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, attracting mostly men from northern Europe, the US, and Japan.