Prostitution was criminalized for various reasons, primarily due to the absence of reliable contraception at the time these laws were enacted. This led to significant social issues such as broken families, abandoned infants, violence against pregnant prostitutes and their illegitimate children, and widespread sexually transmitted diseases.
Functionally, prostitution provided an outlet for predominantly male sexual desires, reducing the incentive for men to form committed relationships solely for sexual gratification. Societies rely on the creation of new generations of citizens and the nurturing of productive members. Consequently, family laws were crafted to encourage male fidelity and domesticity, ensuring stable family units and facilitating procreation. Even today, separation from the family unit, especially when children are involved, can lead to severe financial and social consequences for men.