History[ edit ] Prostitution was known to exists during the Aztec Empire, [7] although the details are relatively unknown as much Aztec history was chronicled later by Roman Catholics [8] in pejorative manner based on strict European values and law. Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries prostitution was tolerated provided it was kept out of sight. Although Philip IV banned the practice, this was generally unenforced.
These regulations which consisted of registering oneself as a prostitute and of regular health care check ups were implemented to protect European soldiers from contracting sexually transmitted diseases , since sexually transmitted diseases particularly syphilis and gonorrea were spreading quickly.
While in power, the French influenced the perception of sex work in various ways, as they categorized women based on their views of beauty and classified places where sex work was done depending on location and services available.
Though the French enforced supervision of prostitutes as a way of protecting themselves from infections similar regulations remained when Mexico regained control of the country. El Paso's proximity to the United States border allowed for quick and easy access by Americans after the abolishment of prostitution. The access to Mexico via the railroad from the United States and the economic success of prostitution gave way to a surge of Mexican women participating in this kind of labor.
As prostitution increased so did the regulations. Mexico is one of the leading hot spots of child sexual exploitation, along with Thailand , Cambodia , Colombia , India , and Brazil. Chiapas is considered one of the worst places in the world in terms of child prostitution. These children have little or no parental supervision and many are lured into the sex industry or abducted by child trafficking gangs.
