Should prostitution be made legal?

[Discordia]

And I will say it again. Prostitution is one of the most ancient occupations the world has... Whether it is legal or not, people are still going to go out and have sex for money. I don't think 'encouragement' is the issue.

Lol, sex sells itself. Sort of like drugs. You don't really need to encourage people to do drugs do you? Same with sex.

Heck, making porn movies is not even illegal and there people are, all not only having sex all over the place with alot of different people, not only being watched live by the camera crew but being watched by an audience of millions and GETTING PAID for it!!
I think something is wrong with THAT being legal and NOT prostitution!

The porn industry mind you is a business and a legal one at that and I can tell you right now that the porn industry isn't going to come under any fire any time soon because ONE the US government and the industry is run mostly by MEN and two people already become like batman enough as it is when it comes to their hidden porn stashes. You aren't going to see many people lobbying against porn. Quite frankly I don't care what people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms. Whether someone is watching porn or not is no one's business. The difference with the porn industry and prostitution is that the latter is a business on a more individual level and the former is a business on a more global level that rakes in more money.

Having morals are fine and adandy and all but that does not necessarily make good universal laws. I for one have little fate in this christian right in politics considering that they preach about the Bible but than you hear that so and so is gay or cavorting with hookers.

[Kimagine]

I've said no, and my reasons why drew lots of argument. But I stand by my thinking -- it's a discussion thread, after all. I just do not want to be ridiculed for my beliefs or my opinions.

[Vasheba]

Originally Posted by Kimagine

I've said no, and my reasons why drew lots of argument. But I stand by my thinking -- it's a discussion thread, after all. I just do not want to be ridiculed for my beliefs or my opinions.

Just because someone doesn't agree with your ideas doesn't mean they're ridiculing YOU.

[snapegirl]

I think it should be legal for a very simple reason: if consenting adults want to pay for sex than let them. What goes on in someone's sex life is nobody's business as long as it's between consenting adults.

[canismajoris]

Just a general comment: not everyone who might visit a prostitute is addicted to sex or otherwise degenerate. People have different ideas about when and with whom sex is appropriate, but relatively few people can deny that sex is an imperative. People choose abstinence and celibacy for precisely this reason: having sex is the default, and choosing not to is the moral commitment, not the other way around.

My point is you can't scorn people who would pay for sex. Nearly everyone wants to have sex, and nearly everyone eventually does. So, I think it's a destructive generalization to say that the clients of prostitutes are all sexaholic lowlifes. It might surprise some people just how diverse the client base is.

[Kimagine]

originally posted by vasheba:
Just because someone doesn't agree with your ideas doesn't mean they're ridiculing YOU

Of that, I am aware -- but I also know that there is a distinction between the refutation of an argument and respect/disrespect of a person's opinion. Sometimes in these threads, especially here in the DoiMC, there's a tendency to be a bit overzealous (both pro and con). For the issue at hand, however, I think the following article is a good example of how legalization of prostitution can have a backlash:

In Sweden, long known for its sexual license, pressure is growing to outlaw prostitution and all other forms of sexual commerce.

A recent government report has demanded the criminalization of prostitutes and their clients, as well as directors, actors, vendors and buyers of pornographic films and photos.

The criminalization campaign, backed by many feminists, is also supported by law officers. "Prostitution is increasing at a dangerous rate," Per-Uno Hagestam, the Stockholm police chief, told the daily Libération of Paris. "This is the time to toughen the law."

The number of prostitutes has nearly doubled in the past 14 years, to about 3,000 nationwide. Large numbers of them are drug addicts, including more than 50 percent of those in the Swedish capital.

The draft law, said Rolf Edin, a Stockholm policeman, "would end a certain hypocrisy: We have the toughest laws against drugs in Europe, but at the same time, the money earned legally by heroin-addicted prostitutes goes straight into the dealers' pockets."

Up to now, said Mr. Edin, the police have had a good relationship with most prostitutes: If the women were cold or looking for conversation, they were always welcome in the local police station. That may change.

The criminalization campaign, backed by many feminists, is also supported by law officers. "Prostitution is increasing at a dangerous rate," Per-Uno Hagestam, the Stockholm police chief, told the daily Libération of Paris. "This is the time to toughen the law."

The number of prostitutes has nearly doubled in the past 14 years, to about 3,000 nationwide. Large numbers of them are drug addicts, including more than 50 percent of those in the Swedish capital -- [European Topics : Swedes Launch a Campaign, By Brian Knowlton, International Herald Tribune

While 12 years ago this "movement" was gaining momentum, it's detractors have vociferously made the opposite argument the view of the matter that has primarily received press. I stand by my opinion: legalizing prostitution is Pandora's Box.

[chica2k8]

ok WHOA. aboslutely not. in no way should prostitution be legal...there's no excuse for it. i mean, the exvuse "it's the only wya i can provide fo rmy children or blah blah blah" is ridiculous. there are PLENTY of jobs out there. ew.

[Yoana]

Originally Posted by chica2k8

ok WHOA. aboslutely not. in no way should prostitution be legal...there's no excuse for it. i mean, the exvuse "it's the only wya i can provide fo rmy children or blah blah blah" is ridiculous. there are PLENTY of jobs out there. ew.

And how is the word "excuse" applicable here? There are people (men and women) who becme prostitutes by their own free will, and hey don't need excuses. Why should prostitution be associated with excuses, if it's between consenting adults, where no-one is hurt or harmed in any way?

[Padfoot_Returns]

Originally Posted by Vasheba

Just because someone doesn't agree with your ideas doesn't mean they're ridiculing YOU.

There is a difference between disagreeing and totally being disrespectful so please keep it polite

Originally Posted by chica2k8

ok WHOA. aboslutely not. in no way should prostitution be legal...there's no excuse for it. i mean, the exvuse "it's the only wya i can provide fo rmy children or blah blah blah" is ridiculous. there are PLENTY of jobs out there. ew.

I love the way you put it, but yes, there are plenty of jobs out there and I agree with you 100%. Prostitution is not something that should be legalized.

[Vasheba]

I'm kind of wondering what people here who are against prostitution think of porn stars, strippers, and other legal adult entertainers. In my mind there is little to no difference between filming a porn movie and prostituting. Do you think porn should be illegal? Do you think stipping should be illegal? What do you think of the people who freely engage in these careers?

[DancingMaenid]

Originally Posted by rigdoctorbri

Who has more of a mental defect, the prostitute or the John? Granted, many do it because they are destitute, have serious mental or addictive issues, but not all. Those of "High Class" call girl persuasion are often very educated. Those who pay for services are more often the ones being taken advantage of. Many legal prostitutes make six figure incomes. They work for regulated brothels, and are tested monthly or weekly for STDs and other illnesses. Some have benefits, including medical, dental, and 401k plans.

I never said that all prostitutes have issues like those. However, there's a big difference between being a "high class call girl" and working the streets or working for a violent pimp. The former usually choose their careers while the latter might be more likely to be trapped into it or be a teenage runaway, drug addict, etc. who may not have many options.

Originally Posted by Vasheba

I'm kind of wondering what people here who are against prostitution think of porn stars, strippers, and other legal adult entertainers. In my mind there is little to no difference between filming a porn movie and prostituting. Do you think porn should be illegal? Do you think stipping should be illegal? What do you think of the people who freely engage in these careers?

That's a really good point.

[Kimagine]

To answer that, let me refer again to an excerpt of the following article in the International Herald Tribune:

Quote:
In Sweden, long known for its sexual license, pressure is growing to outlaw prostitution and all other forms of sexual commerce.

A recent government report has demanded the criminalization of prostitutes and their clients, as well as directors, actors, vendors and buyers of pornographic films and photos. The criminalization campaign, backed by many feminists, is also supported by law officers. "Prostitution is increasing at a dangerous rate," Per-Uno Hagestam, the Stockholm police chief, told the daily Libération of Paris. "This is the time to toughen the law."

I tend to agree with this assessment of the matter -- that prostitution tends to follow where with other players in the Skin Trade go. But that is a matter for another thread...

[Discordia]

I'm kind of wondering what people here who are against prostitution think of porn stars, strippers, and other legal adult entertainers. In my mind there is little to no difference between filming a porn movie and prostituting. Do you think porn should be illegal? Do you think stipping should be illegal? What do you think of the people who freely engage in these careers?

I think you brought up a very good point. Well there is a difference a very subtle difference in prostitution and the pron industry. One is a business on a more individual/personal level and the other is a business on a more national/global level that boosts GDP. As long as the porn industry keeps paying Uncle Sam nobody is going to target it not to mention that considering how many men are in government i highly doubt they will be jumping the bandwagon.

[Dawa Lhamo]

Originally Posted by DancingMaenid

I never said that all prostitutes have issues like those. However, there's a big difference between being a "high class call girl" and working the streets or working for a violent pimp. The former usually choose their careers while the latter might be more likely to be trapped into it or be a teenage runaway, drug addict, etc. who may not have many options.

lol, trust me, the girls I see on the street here are not "high class call girls". In fact, the high class ones never crawl the streets. They have appointments and all that. No, there is something really sad and desperate about the girls I see on the streets. It's those girls that would benefit from legalization.

[Vasheba]

Originally Posted by Kimagine

I tend to agree with this assessment of the matter -- that prostitution tends to follow where with other players in the Skin Trade go. But that is a matter for another thread...

It's an interesting article but it doesn't go into much depth. So far as I can tell their only points against prostitution are the fact that the number has doubled over the years and that a significant portion have drug addiction problems. I don't think either are very valid personally. Especially since there is only an implied correlation between prostitution and certain types of drug abuse - the doesn't prove causation. There's always going to be some group or another against something. I'd like to hear more specific reasons though. Are woman getting bullied into prostitution? Are prostitues not being treated fairly? Are brothels being run by drug lords and that's why we see a lot of drug abuse?

I agree that some people might not get into prostitution as their first choice. Of course a lot of people work in jobs that are less than glamorous and that they may not want to be in. That doesn't mean we make the job illegal though does it.

I would be interested to hear your opinion in more detail on why you think porn, stripping, etc should be made illegal (I think it fits in with the subject of the thread since we're discussing them in relation to the legalization of prostitution). What exactly do you think would happen? What exactly do you mean by Pandora's Box?

[DancingMaenid]

Originally Posted by Vasheba

Especially since there is only an implied correlation between prostitution and certain types of drug abuse - the doesn't prove causation.

I agree. This reminds me of how some people associate homeschooling with overly strict parents who shelter their children. That certainly happens, because homeschooling does offer families like that a way to control their children more, but then you have a lot of families, like the ones I've known, who aren't like that at all.

With prostitution, you have some women who are unable to maintain a steady job because of her drug addiction, and standing on the street corner peddling her body gives her a way to get quick money for drugs. That doesn't mean that every woman who's a prostitute does it for drug money, or that they'll become drug addicts by becoming prostitutes. And I'd hope that in a well-managed brothel, a woman being so addicted to drugs that she couldn't function wouldn't be tolerated. The fact that drug addicts sometimes engage in risky behavior (which street prostitution can be) to support their habit is an isssue in itself.

[Wab]

Originally Posted by DancingMaenid

IAnd I'd hope that in a well-managed brothel, a woman being so addicted to drugs that she couldn't function wouldn't be tolerated.

Drug-tetsing is mandatory in Canberra brothels as are regular tests for STDs.

[LegsyGiggleton]

I think absolutely, 100%, prostitution should be legalized! For starters it could be regulated. The girls would be given housing in brothels, and frequent medical testing. It would eliminate violent pimps, and women being hooked on drugs. It would eliminate prostitute murders. Anyone from Western Canada must be familiar with the Pickton pig farmer in Vancouver. Google it if you're interested. It's increadibly disturbing.

Also, the service could be taxed like gas and cigarettes, and the money could help education and health care.

As mentioned before, it is the oldest profession, and it's not going to go away. The sex industry is increadibly large, might as well work with it.

[canismajoris]

Originally Posted by Kimagine

Of that, I am aware -- but I also know that there is a distinction between the refutation of an argument and respect/disrespect of a person's opinion. Sometimes in these threads, especially here in the DoiMC, there's a tendency to be a bit overzealous (both pro and con). For the issue at hand, however, I think the following article is a good example of how legalization of prostitution can have a backlash:


While 12 years ago this "movement" was gaining momentum, it's detractors have vociferously made the opposite argument the view of the matter that has primarily received press. I stand by my opinion: legalizing prostitution is Pandora's Box.

I frankly don't believe that the increase in the number of Swedish prostitutes demonstrates your claim. Is the increase prostitution tied to other social problems that weren't mentioned?

I would take a closer look at the causal relationship. My point being if heroin-addicted prostitutes couldn't earn money by selling sex do you suppose they'd simply stop being heroin addicts? Were they prostitutes or drug addicts first? Because I'm willing to bet those women turned to prostitution to support their habits. Isn't a legally-sanctioned income like that better than, say, theft? I believe so.

No, if I read that correctly, the increase in prostitution is symptomatic of a drug problem that's getting out of control. Based on the apparent situation, the government claiming it cracks down hard on drug use while simultaneously announcing burgeoning drug addiction may not be a reliable source of information about problems caused by prostitution.

[Weazleby]

I think it should be legal for a very simple reason: if consenting adults want to pay for sex than let them. What goes on in someone's sex life is nobody's business as long as it's between consenting adults.

Prostitution is illegal also because it is dangerous. It can be (and is) abused. Women (and girls) are put at risk. Prostitution is dangerous. Health and safety are coming to my mind right now. While I think prostitution is morally wrong, if legalizing prostitution (as in, our government legalizing it but highly regulating it) could save lives, then maybe we should. It seems Amsterdam (etc.) has been able to juggle this issue and maybe we can, too. Prostitution is still wrong, though. Legalizing it doesn't make it moral. But the morality of it is not an issue, the government's purpose is to protect physical/tangible lives before lofty ideals. Legalizing prostitution might be a step forward, instead of ignoring the issue.