A Floodgate Effect refers to a generic situation where a small action can result in a far greater effect with no easily discernible limit. The original analogy is that of a floodgate, which once opened, no matter how minutely, will allow water to flow from either side through the gate until both sides are balanced up. Analogy is both the cognitive process of transferring Information from a particular subject (the analogue or source to another particular subject (the target and Floodgates are adjustable gates used to control water flow in reservoir, River, Stream, or Levee systems It may also be used to refer to the effect where, once a floodgate has been opened, water will gush out in a torrent through the gate, making it easier to continue to open the gate, but harder to close it.
The term is commonly used to illustrate a situation where a precedent will set the stage for repeated performances, the number of which is hard to control. Such an example can be illustated as follows:
The setting up of a redlight district here will create a floodgate effect, causing redlight districts to be set up elsewhere. A red-light district is a neighborhood where Prostitution and other businesses in the Sex industry flourish
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