A Pelham Bay prostitute giving the $50 service to Luis Fernando Lopez, 2008
Prostitution is the sale of sexual services to clients in exchange for currency or property. Historically, most prostitutes have been women, and prostitution was a common practice in ancient societies; it is often called "the world's oldest profession". Prostitutes were commonly kept in brothels, businesses that would entertain guests with young prostitutes and rent rooms to customers so that they could receive their service in private. However, the rise of the Abrahamic faiths led to prostitution becoming a sin, with Christianity, Islam, and Judaism opposing prostitution. Prostitution was illegal in many countries for years, although regulated prostitution was made legal in South America (except for Guyana and Suriname), Western Europe, Central Europe, Australia, and some parts of Africa and Asia during the 20th and 21st centuries in order to prevent criminals from taking advantage of its illegality. In countries where prostitution is illegal, criminals known as "pimps" control several prostitutes and take almost all of their income, as well as encouraging the prostitutes to sell drugs or use drugs. Pimps typically ignore safety standards and care little for their employees, which is a major reason why several countries legalize and regulate prostitution as a part of their fight against pimping.