The problem with both arguments for legalization and arguments for further criminalization (ie making the johns the criminals as Emma B mentioned above) is that prostitution eludes all attempts to apply a one-size-fits-all description of what a prostitute is and why she plies her trade. Assuming that all prostitutes work in the business of their own free will ignores the very real issues of sex trafficking and abusive pimps. But assuming that all prostitutes are abused victims is equally falacious. For some, giving blowjobs just beats hell out of working at Waffle House (and nobody ever made $300 an hour waiting tables). Given a hundred prostitutes there would probably be a hundred different stories of why they're living the life. Some are victims, some aren't. Coming up with a legal status that best serves the interests of both groups is probably impossible.