Constructive Contention

I. Constructive Contention I: Legalizing sex work provides community health benefits.

a. When sex work is legalized, workers are required to submit to regular health screenings for STIs and other communicable diseases (Liberator, 2006). 

b.  "...It is speculated that sexual contact between prostitutes and married men is one of the leading causes of the spread of AIDS into the general population" (Chittom & Bourassa, 2016, para. 9). 

c. Sex workers are often stigmatized in health care settings because of their occupation. "Existing evidence from decriminalised and managed sex work environments suggest that the removal of criminal sanctions on the collectivisation of sex work, safer indoor work spaces and reduced policing targeting the sex industry can support health access and reduce societal stigma" (Lazarus et al., 2012, p. 146). 

d. Better healthcare access and mandated health screenings for sex workers are beneficial for all members of the community. 

References

Chittom, L., & Bourassa, C. (2016). Counterpoint: Prostitution should be legalized. Points of View: Prostitution, 3. http://lynn- lang.student.lynn.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=28675306&site=pov-live

Lazarus, L., Deering, K., Nabess, R., Gibson, K., Tyndall, M., & Shannon, K. (2012). Occupational stigma as a primary barrier to health care for street-based sex workers in Canada. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 14(2), 139–150. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2011.628411

Liberator, M. (2006). Prostitution should be legalized. In L. Gerdes (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints. Prostitution and Sex Trafficking. Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from Legalized Prostitution: Regulating the Oldest Profession, Liberator, 2004) https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010435224/OVIC?u=boca54337&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=a440e5e0

Evidence CounterPoints

Preparing for a debate involves gathering evidence to support your claims. Thorough debate prep also considers what your opponent might argue. In order to refute or rebut your opponent's claims, you should gather evidence against the arguments you think might be made. 

In a formal debate these counterpoints, or counterarguments, are called evidence cards since the information is placed on 3 x 5 index cards.

For this assignment, you do not need to create actual cards, but you do need to be prepared with evidence to help you counter the claims of your opponent. 

Consider the following example:

Topic: Homeschooling

You have been assigned the pro side of the debate and contend that homeschooling is an effective way to educate children. You support this argument with the following contentions.

1. Lessons can be tailored to the individual child's learning style.
2. Children benefit from one-on-one instruction.
3. Allows for a more flexible family schedule. 

To properly prepare for the debate, you should also identify arguments that your opponent may develop against homeschooling. Find evidence to help you refute their arguments.

Contention: Homeschooled children are not properly socialized.

• Homeschooled children are not less socialized than public school students, they are socialized differently. Homeschooled children tend to be more mature than public school students because they are socialized with more one-on-one adult interaction (Minnesota Homeschooler's Alliance, 2006). 

Contention: Parents who homeschool have not undergone teacher certification.

• Homeschooled children score above public school children on state standardized tests regardless of the parents' income and educational level (Ray, 2007). 

Contention: Children do not experience the diversity of the traditional classroom.

• "...the expectation that public education should adequately serve the needs of children from broad and diverse backgrounds should be reconsidered. Public schools do not, cannot, and probably should not be expected to meet the needs of every child in the community (Romanowski, 2006, p. 129). 

References

Minnesota Homeschoolers' Alliance. (2010). Homeschooling students are well socialized. In N. Berlatsky (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints. Homeschooling. Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from What About Socialization?, 2005) https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010697208/OVIC?u=boca54337&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=4828fefc

Ray, B. D. (2007). Homeschool students excel in college. In H. Williams (Ed.), At Issue. Home Schooling. Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from The Journal of College Admission, 2004, Fall, [184], 5-11) https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010279229/OVIC?u=boca54337&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=1a8938d0

Romanowski, M. H. (2006). Revisiting the common myths about homeschooling. The Clearing House, 79(3), 125-129. http://lynn-lang.student.lynn.edu:2048/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/revisiting-common-myths-about-homeschooling/docview/196880614/se-2?accountid=36334