Human Trafficking

The world is characterized by different hazards and misfortunes that reflect in the lives of humans. People undergo different pleasure and pain that are recurrent and effectively interfere with decisions they make with respect to social morals. For instance, social-economic inequality may force an individual to choose to do wrong as a measure of improving his or her lifestyle. However, due to the recurrent nature of human wants, the person will be compelled to deviate repeatedly from other positive morals to maintain a good lifestyle. The act of human trafficking is an example of a situation illustrating that some people have deviated from embracing goodness. The perpetrators satisfy their greed for money, but the trafficked individuals are generally unhappy and as well deviate from doing good which results in a trend of immoral behavior. Therefore, it is important to reflect on the importance of embracing goodness in society through the scope of human trafficking. 

According to Lockyer 2020, human trafficking causes emotional and physical trauma. Trafficked individuals are subjected to a poor working environment that focuses on maximum economic gain for the perpetrators. The universality theory explains that humans of sound minds should be allowed to make decisions concerning working conditions (Formosa, 2018). However, trafficked victims are denied the chance to select and work in areas they have good skills, which results in regular accidents, especially for those working with risky equipment. Some injuries obtained at workplaces impair the victims permanently. The victims are not allowed to start families as this is deemed to interfere with their efficiency. The inability to make core decisions subjects the victims to depression and other health problems. Female victims are forced into prostitution in poor conditions. Some clients mistreat or infect victims with STIs. However, since the traffickers are focused on making maximum gains through serving more clients, they ignore such medical conditions resulting in poor health and even death.  Formosa 2018 continues to argue that every human has a purpose that defines his or her life. A trafficked individual may lose the purpose of his or her coexistence. The victims become objects that cannot define their existence. Instead, they live within the confines of the perpetrators. For instance, the perpetrators determine the daily routine as well as the employment sector. When young people are trafficked, their initial dreams such as acquiring a good education become a fantasy. After being rescued, the majority of the trafficked individuals are unable to reorganize and follow their dreams. They are traumatized and find it difficult to cope with norms in society. Some victims that are already accustomed to surviving by the instructions from the perpetrators are unable to work independently; this makes them to freely choose to remain enslaved.  

Human trafficking causes poverty (Lockyer, 2020). The victims comprise of young population that should work and support the welfare of their families. However, when they are lured into prostitution and other illegal sectors, their future prospects are interfered. The victims instead focus on bettering the lives of the perpetrators. It is immoral to use another person in an abusive manner to gain social economically. Some traffickers engage their victims, especially children in distributing drugs. This exposes the children to dangers such as being molested or raped by the clients. Victims are as well are forced to consume drugs eventually becoming addicts. Upon escaping the traffickers, it becomes difficult for those already addicted to drugs to join their initial society. Addicted victims end up falling back into the abusive lifestyle thus not being able to contribute positively to the society’s economic welfare, this promotes poverty. The humanitarian perspective also illustrates that it is important to promote the dignity of people regardless of their social-economic position (Kantian ethics, 2011). Human trafficking provides an opportunity for people to mistreat others. Trafficked individuals lack the power to argue their wages. The employers dictate the rates and conditions. Lockyer, 2020 also argues that victims working as domestic employees are denied access to social forums such as the media to air their grievances and seek help. Some victims are raped or physically abused upon refusing advances from their employers. In other cases, victims are given one meal per day regardless of the energy required to perform tasks. Traffickers also deny victims the opportunity to experience compassion and love from their families. 

Doing good in the scope of human trafficking entails stopping the vice, however, some limitations make the universality and humanitarian perspectives ineffective in changing this global situation. For instance, some countries experience challenges such as lack of employment, poor health, and internal conflicts. People living in these countries tend to choose the slavery life that has the assurance of food shelter and health. Therefore, such victims are willing to endure the trauma and stigma associated with forced prostitution, which is contrary to the universality perspective. Also, some families willingly give their children to the traffickers to engage them in the sale of drugs to liberate themselves from poverty. As well some individuals without legal immigration documents choose to hide and work with human traffickers offering cheap labor, which is contrary to the humanitarian perspective that opposes dignifying or undermining a fellow human.

Formosa, P. (2018). Introduction: Kantian ethics as an ethics of Dignity. Kantian Ethics, Dignity and Perfection, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316987308.001 

Kantian ethics, economics, and decision-making. (2011). Kantian Ethics and Economics, 14–49. https://doi.org/10.11126/stanford/9780804768948.003.0002 

Lockyer, S., 2020. Beyond Inclusion: Survivor-Leader Voice in Anti-Human Trafficking Organizations. Journal of Human Trafficking, pp.1-22.