This is defined by the laws in the region in which you live.

For example, New Jersey, USA has rather strict and extreme prostitution laws. The New Jersey code defines prostitution as such:

"2C:34-1: Prostitution and Related Offenses
a. As used in this section:

(1) "Prostitution" is sexual activity with another person in exchange for something of economic value, or the offer or acceptance of an offer to engage in sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value.

(2) "Sexual activity" includes, but is not limited to, sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, and oral-anal contact, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex; masturbation; touching of the genitals, buttocks, or female breasts; sadistic or masochistic abuse and other deviate sexual relations."

If we were to interpret the above to the letter of the law, if I gave you _ANYTHING_ of economic value, even a PENNY, and then subsequently touched your butt just once in exchange for that penny, THAT is prostitution. Heck, if I worked at a pizza parlor and gave you free food in exchange for feeling you up in the back room, that would be prostitution too. And for that matter, how many acts in the interaction of a typical relationship or marriage are legally prostitution under the above definition?

Or for that matter, if you or I even make the offer of such an act, that is defined as prostitution under the above NJ law.

I'm sure _most_ places arn't as strict, but my point was to point out that even the simplest acts can be considered or defined as prostitution, depending upon one's locale.

But I think the point goes back to a fairly simple concept/definition:

prostitution can be defined as the exchange of anything of value for a sexual act. (and not all sexual acts are penetrative.)

just because people may define it as such, doesn't mean that we believe prostitution is wrong or bad, but that is a whole different discussion.
Source(s):
http://law.onecle.com/new-jersey/2c-the-new-jersey-code-of-criminal-justice...

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