NationStates Jolt Archive

I saw this in the UN history, and thought it was outrageous. The problem i have with prostitution is that there are no neutrals on the subject. Either we take the option that our biology wants, and mate like humans (who actually have more sex than rabits, if you didnt know! :fluffle: ) or we take the religous route and ban all sex before marriage. Why can we not just see sex as an act that 2 people perform WHEN THEY ARE IN LOVE. Now the main swaying point in the UN post, i believe was that how else is an uneducated woman/girl meant to get money if she cannot get a job? the answer is down under, no pun intended. In Australia we take care of the poor. If you have no job, we look after you and give you enough money so that you can feed your family, have a house and live, without selling yourself. This, i know would increase taxes, but isnt it worth the sacrafice of dealing a massive blow to poverty AND the transmission of STDs? not to mention a welfare system as it is called would deal a blow to crime as well, removing the need for people to steal to live.

The original point of this post was- "Are you pro-prostitution or anti-prostitution?"

prostitution should be legalized. if a woman chooses to sell her body then that's fine, but government regulation of the industry should ensure that she is doing so of her own free will and not because of abuse or coersion. STD testing should also be mandatory for women (or men) in the industry, as a matter of public health. people have the right to have sex whenever and for whatever reason they want, provided that all parties are consenting adults and the location is in accordance with public ordinance.

i agree with bottle. As long as there are regulations and guidelines it would be a lot safer for the prostitutes and their customers if prostitution was legal and controlled

i agree with bottle. As long as there are regulations and guidelines it would be a lot safer for the prostitutes and their customers if prostitution was legal and controlled

And this is coming from the woman who doesn't want woman in the military :p

that's because women don't belong in the military, they wern't meant for stuff like that whereas i think they can cope with sex

Why can we not just see sex as an act that 2 people perform WHEN THEY ARE IN LOVE.
You seem to think it would be easy to legislate love...Often times people who are actually in the relationship don't know if it's love. How is the government supposed to regulate it?
Now the main swaying point in the UN post, i believe was that how else is an uneducated woman/girl meant to get money if she cannot get a job? the answer is down under, no pun intended. In Australia we take care of the poor. If you have no job, we look after you and give you enough money so that you can feed your family, have a house and live, without selling yourself. This, i know would increase taxes, but isnt it worth the sacrafice of dealing a massive blow to poverty AND the transmission of STDs? not to mention a welfare system as it is called would deal a blow to crime as well, removing the need for people to steal to live.
no, it isn't...If I'm working hard to make a living, why should I have to give my money to someone who isn't working? Giving money to the poor takes away the incentive to work. I mean, if the government gives me the bare minimum for choosing not to have a job- why should I work 40+ hours a week to make just over the bare minimum?

that's because women don't belong in the military, they wern't meant for stuff like that whereas i think they can cope with sex

I would start in with disagreeing on your stance on women in the military, but thats a matter for another thread. But as far as prostitution goes, legalizing it would make people a lot safer, all parties included. This way the government can even tax the prostitutes as well as keep everyone safe from diseases, limit human smuggling and countless other things tied to the sex trade. In this matter, governemnt shouldnt bother with questions of morality (prostitution will never disappear), it should focus on keeping the prostitutes (and customers) safe from STD's, abuse and jail.

By the way the poll isnt very good. Is it do you agree with prostitution? Should it be legalized? Do you personally like prostitution? Bad poll

that's because women don't belong in the military, they wern't meant for stuff like that whereas i think they can cope with sex

What do you mean women don't belong in the military? They can be good soldiers and have just as much right to defend their country as men. Anyway, speaking of prostitution I think it should be illegal. There is no way, I repeat, NO WAY that regulations and STD testing would work. Especially in huge cities, you aren't going to be able to hunt down every hooker and get them tested. Sorry, it just wouldn't happen.

If there is one thing we can say is ours then it is our own body. It then stands to reason that it is up to us to decide what to do with it. Hence opposing prostitution on the grounds of it being "immoral" would then be immoral itself.

To say that it is potentially dangerous and hence should not be legal would be hypocrite as well unless one opposes gun possession, alcohol, coffee, sugar, the so-called dangerous sports, junk food, etc, as well.

Its better than paying taxes for welfare.

If they allowed prostitution in Iraq, Abu Ghraib would never have happened.

I think it should be legalized in America, considering the high rape stats of the country. 57% of rapes occur on a date...do you think there might be less if they could go to their local whorehouse?

If they allowed prostitution in Iraq, Abu Ghraib would never have happened.

You think those soldiers are paid enough to be able to afford a prostitute? What happened with the food stamps?

I think it should be legalized in America, considering the high rape stats of the country. 57% of rapes occur on a date...do you think there might be less if they could go to their local whorehouse?

As if the rapeist you speak of can actually afford 'legal prostitutes'

You think those soldiers are paid enough to be able to afford a prostitute? What happened with the food stamps?
We get paid over 2,000 dollars a month including benefits.

prostitution should be legalized. if a woman chooses to sell her body then that's fine, but government regulation of the industry should ensure that she is doing so of her own free will and not because of abuse or coersion. STD testing should also be mandatory for women (or men) in the industry, as a matter of public health. people have the right to have sex whenever and for whatever reason they want, provided that all parties are consenting adults and the location is in accordance with public ordinance.

Ditto.

We get paid over 2,000 dollars a month including benefits.

All of you?

prostitution should be legalized. if a woman chooses to sell her body then that's fine, but government regulation of the industry should ensure that she is doing so of her own free will and not because of abuse or coersion. STD testing should also be mandatory for women (or men) in the industry, as a matter of public health. people have the right to have sex whenever and for whatever reason they want, provided that all parties are consenting adults and the location is in accordance with public ordinance.

Uh... it is legal in some places. Ever been to Vegas? Now, it's not legal everywhere, and that's the thing.

when something detrimental to society is legalised and regulated, there is a risk that the problem will increase. perfect example: hong kong legalised soccer gambling last year, and now there are more and more sadistic gamblers, and even youngsters are gambling. talking about controlling greed and selfishness is completely idealistic, not practical at all.

plus, prostitution is not a matter of a person selling his/her body, it may mean the breaking up of families, increase in crime, spread of diseases, breakdown of society and values etc. etc.

if these things run so wild while being illegal, i don't know what legalising them can help the problem. it will simply encourage more to commit these deeds.

when something detrimental to society is legalised and regulated, there is a risk that the problem will increase. perfect example: hong kong legalised soccer gambling last year, and now there are more and more sadistic gamblers, and even youngsters are gambling. talking about controlling greed and selfishness is completely idealistic, not practical at all.

plus, prostitution is not a matter of a person selling his/her body, it may mean the breaking up of families, increase in crime, spread of diseases, breakdown of society and values etc. etc.

if these things run so wild while being illegal, i don't know what legalising them can help the problem. it will simply encourage more to commit these deeds.

Legalizing it would help stop the spread of STD's because people would be required to be tested, just like porn stars now. but people's lives can be broked by things that are illegal now, as opposed to them being lega it would provide more treatment options rather than making people criminals.

I do not agree with prostitution mainly because it is not safe for the prostitute. It's like the movie Monster, look what happened to her. It's just not a safe thing. It's not a question of morality with me, just of saftey

I do not agree with prostitution mainly because it is not safe for the prostitute.

Don't you respect your fellow human beings enough to allow them to make their own decisions about their own bodies? I believe government should ensure that nobody is forced to rent their body (whether through poverty, physical coercion etc), but if an adult wants to be a prostitute despite this, why should they be stopped?

If prostitution was legal, prostitutes would not be afraid to come forward and take advantage of STD testing, or to report incidents where their rights were not respected (e.g. if a customer refused to wear a condom, or if a pimp was taking the prostitute's earnings).

Bringing the industry out of the underground makes it safer for the prostitutes and their clients, slows the spread of STDs (prostitutes would have the right to demand the use of condoms and could make use of regular testing), respects the individual's sovereignty over his/her body, and cuts off prostitution as a source of funds for organised crime (in the same way that ending prohibition removed alcohol as a source of money for organised crime).

If you're mentioning the movie Monster, consider the dynamic that made her acts perceived to be so horrific. Plenty of serial killers kill prostitutes, but most of society is somewhat used to that, and they hear "prostitute", and they can depersonalize her. She's not a person, and if she has a name, it doesn't matter much, because she's like an object. Aileen Wournos was killing johns. THEY had names and families, and they were never referred to simply as "johns", but rather as "missing businessman". That's the point. They were people. THEY were missed.

Prostitution is a sordid world, no matter what anyone says or tries to do about it. There is so much abuse and exploitation, not to mention degradation, happening to these women. Legalizing it is not the answer. Then we could just add one more exploiter to the list, because it could be legislated and taxed. The government could get their cut, and everyone could feel better about their men going to prostitutes with a medical plan. Spare me.

It would be better if we could be unjudgemental toward these women, and get them into a treatment plan that would include the STDs and the substance abuse, and give them skills to go back to the real world, where they could be respected for their selves, without the stigma of prostitution on them. Something like what we do with ex-convicts. I believe that we should make the penalties for pimping as harsh as we can, and not glorify the practice. I also think that the johns should get jail time, at least a month of it, if they are caught trying to solicit. Then maybe we can make this problem a bit more manageable. Perhaps we could use a protection program too, like a battered women's shelter, for the women who turn in their pimps.

If people wanna do that and pay for it/make money for it fine if they stay indoors and not out on the streets or anything. But whorehouses etc. I can deal with and I don't think they need to be regulated in fact if hookers wanna go to a clients house thats fine to but like I said keep it out of my face I don't wanna see it. Nor do I nor will I participate

Okay, first off, you can't possibly base your opinions or arguments concerning the morality of prostitution on a film. Secondly, how can you compare 'ideal' treatment of prostitutes with today's treatment of ex-convicts? Convicts, by and large, are people who have done something wrong. Prostitutes are, for whatever reasons, using their bodies as they wish. I think it's sickening that people who have no idea of poverty, to the extent that they equate prostitute with offender, decide that women and men can't use their bodies as they please. It's pretentious, disrespectful and degrading.

They don't call it "the oldest profession" for nothing. All of you saying to crack down harder on it and it'll go away are fooling yourselves. Cracking down on prostitution even harder is just going to drive the real nutball horny guys to rape and the not so nutball guys to forming true affairs with emotional involvement (which is even worse if your argument is it breaks up families).

Most women seem to be against prostitution and that's because they do not understand the strong male urge that is probably 10 times stronger than a womans sexual urge. Hell, whole nations throughout history have gone to war and risen and fallen due to male sexual drive over some woman/women. What makes you think the modern day is any different?

I'm not taking my opinion on the matter completely from film. I've seen what prostitution does to women, and how much they suffer for it. The reason I suggest rehabilitation, like that offered for ex-cons, is because I think it's a resource that isn't extended to prostitutes, not because they're offenders.

As for sex being such a strong urge in men, I think that's a socialized concept, something they're brought up with, rather than something they are born with. Not that I don't think they have the urge, but because I think that they aren't raised to be aware of the control they're capable of. I think a better and more comprehensive sex ed program would help.

Prostitution is sordid because society isn't willing to look at it, so there's a stigma. Because it's illegal, much like drugs, there are a lot of people who profit from it, and I'm not talking about the prostitutes. There's a lot of mob involvement and freelance pimps who coerce girls into it, and control them and take their earnings. They always have to watch their backs so that some psycho doesn't rob them or rape them or kill them, or give them an STD or get them pregnant, because the slob doesn't want to wear a rubber. You see, I think the johns exploit them as much as the pimps do. They're treated as a commodity, a product. It's one of the most exploited professions there is. A lot of them are introduced to a drug habit too, to make them easier to control.

You tell me how this is a good situation. If you have a better idea, I'm dying to hear it.

Also, I'd like to know what nations you're saying have gone to war or fallen over a woman and a man's sex drive.

Okay, first off, you can't possibly base your opinions or arguments concerning the morality of prostitution on a film.
My opinons aren't based off of the film, and also it's not just a film. Aileen was a real person, and that really happened to her. That shouldn't happen to anybody, and it is more likely to happen to prostitutes. They go into it not knowing how horrible rape is, and I don't want anyone to have to live with that, and I don't care if I'm telling them what to do with their bodies. Rape is the most horrible thing in the world, and should be prevented at all costs.

My opinons aren't based off of the film, and also it's not just a film. Aileen was a real person, and that really happened to her. That shouldn't happen to anybody, and it is more likely to happen to prostitutes. They go into it not knowing how horrible rape is, and I don't want anyone to have to live with that, and I don't care if I'm telling them what to do with their bodies. Rape is the most horrible thing in the world, and should be prevented at all costs.

It isn't rape if the prostitute has consented. And if prostitutes were not themselves criminalised, it'd be much easier to catch those times when they did not give consent (the victims would not be afraid to appear at the police station and report the crime), so this would then act as a deterrent.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/wuornos/1.html?sect=11

I think that if more people would think of these women as someone who could be their sister, or their mother, or their wife, maybe we'd get somewhere. There has to be a human face on them. They HAVE names, and families, and aspirations. I'm not saying think of your sister, mother, etc. as if she could be a whore, although I know some men do, but to think of the prostitutes as women every bit as human as the ones you care about.

They're worth giving a chance to be productive members of society, and ones who can do something besides exploit that goldmine they're sitting on.

Oh, and you can't consent to rape. By definition, rape is always done without it. To put it crudely, you can't rape the willing.

Most women who get rapped don't report it anyways, prosititute or not. I think it is more important to prevent it than to punish the person who did it. It's too late, it's all ready happened.
Even if she said she would have sex with him, and he starts beating her, and she tries to leave, but then he has sex with her anyways, is that not rape?
Prostitution is too dangerous. They are more likely to get rapped or murdered. Even if it was leagle, nobody would admit to doing it, so it would still have the same dangers.

Most women who get rapped don't report it anyways, prosititute or not. I think it is more important to prevent it than to punish the person who did it. It's too late, it's all ready happened.
Even if she said she would have sex with him, and he starts beating her, and she tries to leave, but then he has sex with her anyways, is that not rape?
Prostitution is too dangerous. They are more likely to get rapped or murdered. Even if it was leagle, nobody would admit to doing it, so it would still have the same dangers.

I disagree that noone would admit to it. Especially if there was confidentiality when they went for check-ups etc.

As to prevention at all costs, are you going to ban women from walking around at night on their own, in case someone jumps out of a dark alleyway and grabs them?

Think prostitution should be legal for tax reasons.Then no need to hammer the motorists ;)

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/wuornos/1.html?sect=11

I think that if more people would think of these women as someone who could be their sister, or their mother, or their wife, maybe we'd get somewhere. There has to be a human face on them. They HAVE names, and families, and aspirations. I'm not saying think of your sister, mother, etc. as if she could be a whore, although I know some men do, but to think of the prostitutes as women every bit as human as the ones you care about.

They're worth giving a chance to be productive members of society, and ones who can do something besides exploit that goldmine they're sitting on.


the problem i have is the implication that exchanging sex for money is not a valid trade. yes, i realize that prostitutes are somebody's daughter, sister, mother, etc, and i think the greatest wrong our society does is in telling them what they do is wrong. rather than ensuring they have healthy work environments and treating them with the respect due to any unskilled laborer, we tell them they are dirty and wrong and need to be helped to do something better. true, their situation needs improving, but the practice of prostition itself is not the problem. a cleaner and safer industry, legalized and regulated, makes it a perfectly acceptable career choice.

just look at the legal brothels in Nevada; women are tested twice a week for STDs, they make more money as "whores" than they would as secretaries, they have bouncers and security personel to make sure they aren't abused by clients, and they retain the right to refuse service to anybody.

i'm not saying it's the profession i would choose, but then i also wouldn't choose to be a garbageman. i would wish for greater things for my kids (were i to have any), but i certainly wouldn't be ashamed if they chose to be a sanitation worker...so why would i be ashamed of my kid for being a prostitute? the only reason i would currently oppose such a choice would be the conditions that exist because of prostitution's criminal status, and if those were fixed then i would have no objection.

i beleive prostitution should be legal but controlled stricktly and taxed...a "john" should not be liable of a baby but should be required to use a condom..anyone caught knowingly spreading desease should be charged with manslaughter regardless..STD tests should be mandantory. Pimping should be Illegal..A company should be able to charge a monthly fee to a prostitute to be a part of its call girl service but not a %

THE BOTTOM LINE IS YOU CAN NOT STOP IT!!!! Regardless of how much money you spend on enforcing it you will never stop it...Why do you thing prohibition failed?

PS The Kennedy family made much of its fortune by bootlegging alcohol.

As for sex being such a strong urge in men, I think that's a socialized concept, something they're brought up with, rather than something they are born with. Not that I don't think they have the urge, but because I think that they aren't raised to be aware of the control they're capable of. I think a better and more comprehensive sex ed program would help.


Yeah that's why there's so many more women rapists than men. Men are not taught to go around raping women, it's instinctual and no amount of education is going to stop the truly driven, better to allow them a legal outlet.




Prostitution is sordid because society isn't willing to look at it, so there's a stigma. Because it's illegal, much like drugs, there are a lot of people who profit from it, and I'm not talking about the prostitutes. There's a lot of mob involvement and freelance pimps who coerce girls into it, and control them and take their earnings. They always have to watch their backs so that some psycho doesn't rob them or rape them or kill them, or give them an STD or get them pregnant, because the slob doesn't want to wear a rubber. You see, I think the johns exploit them as much as the pimps do. They're treated as a commodity, a product. It's one of the most exploited professions there is. A lot of them are introduced to a drug habit too, to make them easier to control.


All the more reason to legalize it and crack down on the all of the issues you mention above.


Also, I'd like to know what nations you're saying have gone to war or fallen over a woman and a man's sex drive.


Ever heard of Cleopatra?
Helen of Troy?
About 5 Caesars killed by manipulative women and their lovers?
Not directly related to the fall of a nation but how about the countless affairs by the likes of JFK, Clinton, LBJ and other leaders. Yes these were uneducated individuals who were never told they needed to control their sex drive.

You obviously don't understand male sex drive and seem to think it can just be 'taught out of them'. Different males have different sex drives, the ones you are refering to are the 'fine upstanding husbands who have never cheated/been caught' and you account this all to having been 'taught'.

So you're blaming Cleopatra and Helen now for something they didn't do? It was Marc Antony and Paris who started any wars.

I'm not saying you can teach men anything. I think you can teach boys respect, though. As for a legal outlet, there is one. There are all kinds of women who don't charge for it, which should appeal to any man.

I just think that a lot of men make excuses to see prostitutes, and not many of them are valid, because they're not honest. Basically it's because they're kinky, and can't do something with their wife/girlfriend, who isn't aware that they like to be humiliated and pissed on by a woman with a whip, or they are hideous, or think they are, or they're not imbued with the social skills to convince any sensible woman to have sex with them...or they just like the businesslike, no strings attached sex.

I think men are fully capable of controlling their sex drive, but some of them have no inclination to do so. That would mean going without, or practicing self-discipline, or even some introspection.

I know that because of this lack of inclination, men are so whipped that they'll even pay for it. It's why they think women have no sex drive, or less of one. We're just better at controlling it, because it's used as a tool. Besides, it's often the case that we don't feel much like putting out for an idiot who can't wipe his arse correctly. We know he can't because we're usually the ones who wash the shorts.

Selling is legal. F*cking is legal. Why isn't selling f*cking legal? Why is it illegal to sell what is perfectly legal to give away?

I've heard arguments for and against it, but that says it all.



Greywollffe has spoken...


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Sheilanagig,

You sound like you are against prostitution because you feel threatened by it. Maybe you feel your man may stray because it's available. All of your arguments above have nothing to do with not legalizing prostitution and more to do with your opposition to someone having kinky turn-ons.

I don't see how you can be against protecting a workers rights when you seem to be a "holier than thou" moralist and that noone should have different things that appeal to them sexually.

Prostitution is not going away, it has been with us since day one and will be with us until we are extinct. So, we can allow it to remain in the state it is or legalize it, restrict it and crack down on the cheap street walkers in favor of discreet, controlled and taxed locations that are not offensive and contributing to crime and drug use.

Anyway, speaking of prostitution I think it should be illegal. There is no way, I repeat, NO WAY that regulations and STD testing would work. Especially in huge cities, you aren't going to be able to hunt down every hooker and get them tested. Sorry, it just wouldn't happen.

It works just fine in Las Vegas, which I would say is a pretty big city. Testing also works in the porn industry, where no one who has tested positive for an STD can be in a movie, and when one does test positive, anyone who has been in a movie with them recently is voluntarily "quarantined." Besides, no one is saying *all* prostitutes would be tested, just most of them, which is better than we have it now. Most people willing to pay for sex would rather go to a prostitute that has his/her certificate of testing than one who doesn't. You're going to get less spread of disease (not to mention less tax evasion) if you legalize it.

well, since according to Bottle and other well thought out libs we have here ;) maybe we should legalize slavery again? after all, who has the right to tell somebody that they can't have a slave?

there are thousands of better ways for women or men to make money other then through prostitution that ARE ethical, is safe and is not demeaning to the the mind.

I don't know for sure, but I would imagine if you asked prostitutes themselves, MOST would say they are in that situation because they were either: runaways, drug addicts, homeless, depressed or some other mental condition, or in some financial bind and had a lack of EDucation or help to find another way to solve their problem.

the thing most people forget is that people who become involved in ANY illegal trade, whether it be drug dealer, prostitute, w/e, is normally because they are uneducated in how to survive in their particular economy.

but thats just my opinion :)

well, since according to Bottle and other well thought out libs we have here ;) maybe we should legalize slavery again? after all, who has the right to tell somebody that they can't have a slave?

:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

Simple, painfully obvious difference, which I really should not have to point out - slavery is ownership of a human being, which is a clear violation of the slave's right to sovereignty over his/her body. Legalising prostitution is respecting that right, because the government is allowing people to do what they like with their bodies.

:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

Simple, painfully obvious difference, which I really should not have to point out - slavery is ownership of a human being, which is a clear violation of the slave's right to sovereignty over his/her body. Legalising prostitution is respecting that right, because the government is allowing people to do what they like with their bodies.



i forget how sarcasm is not obvious on here, even with a ;)


sorry bout that. but since we are on the subject, how about legalizing suicide? or self torture. or giving yourself a disease on purpose? its your body right?

and im sure some of you think that SHOULD be legal. But let me ask you this. when a person DOES do one of those things AND they don't have medical ins. or someone who has to pay the bills, who pays then? WE DO!!! Our tax dollars would have to foot the bill wouldn't they.

have any of you personally talked to a prostitute? have you ever asked about how wonderfull of a life they must live? and the other reason i brought up slavery is the fact is folks, MOST of those who are on the street ARE slaves. Slaves to their fears, slaves to their pimps, slaves to the fear of change, fear of standing up on their own two feet and being independent. MOST of them who are in prostitution are there because they are f-d up. if you think its so glamorous and an ok option for someone to live their life like that, go spend some time with them...

It wouldn't be so bad if it was legal. And no matter how bad it is, of course we should try and help those who want help but those who actually do want to do it should be allowed. Even if nobody wantedf to do it it should be allowed purely for the principle.

well, since according to Bottle and other well thought out libs we have here ;) maybe we should legalize slavery again? after all, who has the right to tell somebody that they can't have a slave?

there are thousands of better ways for women or men to make money other then through prostitution that ARE ethical, is safe and is not demeaning to the the mind.

I don't know for sure, but I would imagine if you asked prostitutes themselves, MOST would say they are in that situation because they were either: runaways, drug addicts, homeless, depressed or some other mental condition, or in some financial bind and had a lack of EDucation or help to find another way to solve their problem.

the thing most people forget is that people who become involved in ANY illegal trade, whether it be drug dealer, prostitute, w/e, is normally because they are uneducated in how to survive in their particular economy.

but thats just my opinion :)

exactly how would prostitution be like slavery, if the woman were selling herself at her terms? how is prostitution in that sense any different from any other form of unskilled labor? you are paid a fee to use your body for a given purpose...what's unethical about that?

if you had actually read what i posted you would know that i totally agree with your objections to CURRENT forms of prostitution; women are forced to sell themselves, are abused, raped, and otherwise compromised by others. however, before the advent of equal rights, that was an accurate description of what a woman could expect in a marriage; does that mean we should eliminate marriage altogether? of course not. there is nothing inherantly unethical about prostitution, just like there is nothing unethical about marriage. it's simply the execution of the process that needs to be reviewed.

exactly how would prostitution be like slavery, if the woman were selling herself at her terms? how is prostitution in that sense any different from any other form of unskilled labor? you are paid a fee to use your body for a given purpose...what's unethical about that?

if you had actually read what i posted you would know that i totally agree with your objections to CURRENT forms of prostitution; women are forced to sell themselves, are abused, raped, and otherwise compromised by others. however, before the advent of equal rights, that was an accurate description of what a woman could expect in a marriage; does that mean we should eliminate marriage altogether? of course not. there is nothing inherantly unethical about prostitution, just like there is nothing unethical about marriage. it's simply the execution of the process that needs to be reviewed.

i just don't think that selling your body for sex is comparable to say a factory worker or a laborer. one is using thier body to serve or make things, the other is serving themselves for somebody else to use for their pleasure. I can not picture any self respecting human able to be a prostitute. and i am sure you will argue with me on that, but as someone who has had MANY unskilled jobs or medium skilled jobs when i was younger, I know i didnt get any self gratification or feel good about 'the job i just did'. so i would think a prostitute would have to feel even lower. i think thats why drug abuse is so high among that 'profession', just like it is in the 'sex industry(x rated movies). most folks can't do that with a clear head, much less a fully concience one....

and ps, i was just playing with you bottle, you one of the few i still recognize here :)

Slavery would be to forbid people to do with their own body, which can rightfully be called their most basic possesion, as they please. The later would basically come down to saying "No, your body is NOT your possesion."

i just don't think that selling your body for sex is comparable to say a factory worker or a laborer. one is using thier body to serve or make things, the other is serving themselves for somebody else to use for their pleasure. I can not picture any self respecting human able to be a prostitute. and i am sure you will argue with me on that, but as someone who has had MANY unskilled jobs or medium skilled jobs when i was younger, I know i didnt get any self gratification or feel good about 'the job i just did'. so i would think a prostitute would have to feel even lower. i think thats why drug abuse is so high among that 'profession', just like it is in the 'sex industry(x rated movies). most folks can't do that with a clear head, much less a fully concience one....

and ps, i was just playing with you bottle, you one of the few i still recognize here :)

unsurprisingly, i don't agree with you. i think many self-respecting people could be prostitutes if there were not such a stigma against it. in other cultures it was seen as no shameful thing to spend a time as a prostitute or courtesan, and there isn't anything inherantly shameful about it. only our system, which makes sex a restricted and shameful thing, turns prostitution into the dirty, awful mess we see.

true, education opens more doors, and people would probably not choose to spend their entire lives in prostitution, but then some might. some people like manual labor more than going to school, and some people feel pride and completion in unskilled labor. i don't see any difference between being a factory worker and being a prostitute, in terms of how much one could respect oneself at the end of the day (assuming the changes i already have covered).

drug abuse is high in "the industry" because we still maintain sexual standards that label people in that industry as damaged goods. girls are basically becoming sex workers as a last resort, and have usually already started drug use etc by the time they start making porn or stripping. if, instead, working in the sex industry were considered on par with being a waitress you wouldn't see that sort of thing. it's only because of the society of shame we have built that women see sexual services as wrong or dirty.

as long as sex is consentual, i don't see anything wrong with it in ANY FORM AT ALL. money doesn't change it or make it wrong. people should do whatever they want with their bodies, as long as the people they do it with are willing.

Decriminalize, and regulate. Possibly force prostitutes to work their business out of a brothel, as it would be nearly impossible to properly regulate prostitution to any degree while it's being done in dark alleyways in lord-knows-where.

In the event of a breach of law, fines should be levied; or in the case of repeat offenders, their 'license' should be revoked. Amongst other things, mandatory STD testing at set intervals would be something I'd like to see.

I hate pimps since they use women as both wage slaves and capital, but prostitution is simply the result of a hierarchial, monetary society. You can't condemn prostitution without opposing the causes, mainly poverty, capitalism, etc.

Legalizing it would help stop the spread of STD's because people would be required to be tested, just like porn stars now. but people's lives can be broked by things that are illegal now, as opposed to them being lega it would provide more treatment options rather than making people criminals.

who is there to make sure everybody in the industry will go for a checkup. let's look at it from an economics point of view.

legalising something will usually increase demand, therefore supply must increase as well. if the legal supply doesn't increase as fast as the demand is rising (which usually happens), the overspill demand will be absorbed by illegal supply - illegal suppliers who don't go to health checkups.

and the destruction of families? you being a wife, finding out your husband looking for prostitutes, legal or otherwise? what would you feel?

It works just fine in Las Vegas, which I would say is a pretty big city. Testing also works in the porn industry, where no one who has tested positive for an STD can be in a movie, and when one does test positive, anyone who has been in a movie with them recently is voluntarily "quarantined." Besides, no one is saying *all* prostitutes would be tested, just most of them, which is better than we have it now. Most people willing to pay for sex would rather go to a prostitute that has his/her certificate of testing than one who doesn't. You're going to get less spread of disease (not to mention less tax evasion) if you legalize it.

Yeah, but how could you be sure that the people who "use" the prostitutes don't have STD's? Test all of THEM. If you thought that there were a lot of prostitutes...

Yeah that's why there's so many more women rapists than men. Men are not taught to go around raping women, it's instinctual and no amount of education is going to stop the truly driven, better to allow them a legal outlet.



*trying not to yell at the puter scream*

YOU THINK THAT MEN ARE NATURALLY RAPISTS???

do you KNOW what rape is?
a prostitue isnt a substitute for rape
you can rape a prostitute just as you can rape any other human being. those who rape are not doing it for a sexual outlet. they are doing it to dominate and hurt another person

no its not better to rape a prostitute than to rape a "good" woman.

rape is a crime; most men are not criminals.

prostitution is not legal in las vegas. it is not legal in any of clark county nevada (the county that las vegas is in, a very big county) prostitution is common in vegas but that doesnt make it legal. the closest legal prostititution to las vegas is parhump nevada, home of the chicken ranch

now that im a bit calmer, let me say that i dont understand the poll. are you asking if i think prostitiution exists? are you asking if i would like to BE a prostitute? are you asking if i would recommend it to someone else? or are you asking, as seems to be assumed, if i think it should be legal?

i would not be a prostitute myself nor would i recommend it to anyone. there are too many dangers physical, psychological, and spiritual.

should it be legal? yes.

this is the only way to give prostitutes any measure of safety. it protects her from exploitation by a boss. it gives her legal recourse to non paying customers, it makes it easier for her to summon the police when necessary.

i dont think that the government should make a prostitutes life any harder than it already is.

who is there to make sure everybody in the industry will go for a checkup.

You are looking at it from the standpoint of leaving things as they currently are and just flipping a switch from illegal to legal. That is not what I think people are proposing. You'd need to regulate it (i.e. it can only be located in zoned areas similar to how adult video stores and strip joints are regulated now in some areas) and has to be an indoor affair not out in the public.

As for testing that would be the burden of the company employing them and they would have to be licensed just as liquor stores are today. They don't follow the rules they lose their license.

I don't think anyone would just say "legalize it and leave the street walkers alone".

Yeah that's why there's so many more women rapists than men. Men are not taught to go around raping women, it's instinctual and no amount of education is going to stop the truly driven, better to allow them a legal outlet.



YOU THINK THAT MEN ARE NATURALLY RAPISTS???


I think you mistook my meaning. I meant that the men who are rapists are not taught to be rapists it is inborn in them.

You're still saying that it's a mans instinct to rape another woman/man

prostitution should be legalized. if a woman chooses to sell her body then that's fine, but government regulation of the industry should ensure that she is doing so of her own free will and not because of abuse or coersion. STD testing should also be mandatory for women (or men) in the industry, as a matter of public health. people have the right to have sex whenever and for whatever reason they want, provided that all parties are consenting adults and the location is in accordance with public ordinance.

You said it! :)

You're still saying that it's a mans instinct to rape another woman/man

How am I saying that above?

I said a rapist was not taught how to rape, it's inborn in him. How is that saying all men are rapists?

You're still saying that it's a mans instinct to rape another woman/man

I actually hear this claim a lot.

I think you mistook my meaning. I meant that the men who are rapists are not taught to be rapists it is inborn in them.


PHEW
that makes much more sense

i dont know that criminals are born or made but certainly rapists arent taught to rape.

but prostitution still isnt a solution to the problem of rape. even when its date rape, a man continuing on after his date has said NO (and meant it), its spontaneous and that man is not going to leave his date and go to a professional

after all he can get sexual release all on his own for free.

Prostitution should be legalized in some states, and banned in others. There should be strict condom laws, and more male-circumsicioun clinikc

What with all the different things flying around I'll keep mine simple :D

I say: legalize it.

im for it!!!

Prostitution should be legalized in some states, and banned in others. There should be strict condom laws, and more male-circumsicioun clinikc
woah tats scary mate!

More male circumcision clinics? That's a daft idea if I ever heard one. It's an unnecessary procedure. True, a lot of uncut guys don't know how to clean out the cheese, but some cut ones don't. It's still not a contributor to STDs. It's a matter of personal choice and taste.

As for it being legal, yeah. I think prostitutes should have legal protection, and not get robbed by pimps or customers or madames, and be able to call the police and get taken seriously if they're assaulted, or go to the hospital, or get free condoms, or drug treatment, OR get retrained for something else if they wish.

As for it being a threat to the family, yeah, it is. If a guy goes to them because he hasn't been honest to his wife about his rubber fetish, or because he really prefers to be sucked off by a young boy, then yes, I think he should reconsider the deception he's pulled on his wife/girlfriend. Maybe he should rethink being married at all.

It helps perpetuate this whole cycle of him finding her unattractive in her domesticity, and her finding his spitting, skidmarks and snoring unattractive, not to mention the neglect, and feeling less like doing anything with him. It contributes to many divorces, some of which shouldn't have ever been marriages.

I believe in some places it already is legal and regulated. Is anyone here from Amsterdam? I hear it's legal there. We should ask them.
I think, if you put a tax on prostitutes, mandated regular and frequent STD testing, the use of condoms and such, that it would be fine. Someone should make an NS issue out of it, unless they have already.

I have been to Amsterdam and yes prostitution is legal as are many other things there. You can buy cilicybic mushrooms from a vending machine! I love that country!~ We believe with strict government regulation and compulsory aids testing/VD testing every six months that prostitution would be a profitable tax revenue.

Well it's already legalized in some parts of Nevada. I'm for legalizing it.

I believe in some places it already is legal and regulated. Is anyone here from Amsterdam? I hear it's legal there. We should ask them.
I think, if you put a tax on prostitutes, mandated regular and frequent STD testing, the use of condoms and such, that it would be fine. Someone should make an NS issue out of it, unless they have already.

Prostitution is already legal in many countries. It is de facto legal in many more (illegal on the books, but either not enforced or enforced very lightly). As many have noted above, it is even legal in some US jurisdictions.

A good article on the subject: http://www.sexwork.com/coalition/whatcountrieslegal.html
The parent page is also good: http://www.sexwork.com/

There is also already an issue on it.

and the destruction of families? you being a wife, finding out your husband looking for prostitutes, legal or otherwise? what would you feel?

If someone's marriage is so bad that they are out looking for prostitutes, their family is already pretty much destroyed. This problem is not going to be increased if you legalize it - if that husband can't get a prostitute right now, he'll just go out to a bar and find a one night stand.

i have actually been to a nevada brothel

well i dint get to go inside, the madam was afraid that a "lady" might get bothered by the male guests who were already inside.

i drove a handicapped friend of mine out. he is wheelchair bound and has been unsuccessful in attracting a female love interest willing to give him a chance. given that he has less than 10 years left to live, i felt it was a good thing to aid him in his quest of losing his virginity.

the place was clean, the women were beautiful, they insisted on total safe sex practices--even to the administration of spray disinfectants. they were sober, well paid and professional, they had a menu upfront with prices clearly listed.

i cant help but think kindly of women who are willing to help out a man in need in exchange for money. its ridiculous but i think of them as angels of mercy.

im glad they have a clean, safe, well-regulated place to work in. they deserve the full protection of the law.

i would discourage anyone from working as a prostitute. its a dangerous job. there is no need to make it more dangerous by having it be illegal, unregulated, run by criminals with the workers having no legal rights.

I don't think prostitution should be legal. Not for religious reasons, but because prostitutes seem to be breeding grounds for sexually transmitted diseases.

Someone hasn't been reading ANY of the thread

I don't think prostitution should be legal. Not for religious reasons, but because prostitutes seem to be breeding grounds for sexually transmitted diseases.

WOOO WOOO here comes the clue train! step on up and get on!

if prostitution is legalized the government has control of the industry, prostitutes will be checkedfor STDs, forced to use condoms with their customers and more, plus you can TAX IT then,

just like the porn industry, regular STD checks

I think it should be legalized in America, considering the high rape stats of the country. 57% of rapes occur on a date...do you think there might be less if they could go to their local whorehouse?
I do think that prostitution should be legalised, but I do not agree with that line of reasoning. Rape, leading psychologists believe, has little to do with sex, and a lot to do with power and control.

We get paid over 2,000 dollars a month including benefits.
Jesus, thats only $24,000 a year. Isn't the poverty line at $20k? That wouldn't be bad if you were flipping burgers, but I'd have thought, risking your life for your country and all, they could pay you a bit better than THAT.

when something detrimental to society is legalised and regulated, there is a risk that the problem will increase. perfect example: hong kong legalised soccer gambling last year, and now there are more and more sadistic gamblers, and even youngsters are gambling. talking about controlling greed and selfishness is completely idealistic, not practical at all.

plus, prostitution is not a matter of a person selling his/her body, it may mean the breaking up of families, increase in crime, spread of diseases, breakdown of society and values etc. etc.

if these things run so wild while being illegal, i don't know what legalising them can help the problem. it will simply encourage more to commit these deeds.Yeah, but the thing is, you see it as the problem being caused by the action, whereas I believe the problem is caused by the state of the law. Things like "increase of crime" would not happen if it was legal, as it would no longer be a crime, and there would be less profit for gangs to make on prostitution.

I support legalising it, but with strong controls and safeguards, as would be applied to any form of industry. Also, very strong controls with regard to where the money goes, making it impossible for pimps to operate if they are connected with gangs or if they aren't looking after the girls.

Yeah, but the thing is, you see it as the problem being caused by the action, whereas I believe the problem is caused by the state of the law. Things like "increase of crime" would not happen if it was legal, as it would no longer be a crime, and there would be less profit for gangs to make on prostitution.

I support legalising it, but with strong controls and safeguards, as would be applied to any form of industry. Also, very strong controls with regard to where the money goes, making it impossible for pimps to operate if they are connected with gangs or if they aren't looking after the girls.

ooh i came in late i didnt see her bullcrap conservative rhetoric which makes no sense if everyone wants to look on over at the NETHERLANDS where things are legal and doing just fine, is the idiot assertign this suppsoedly christian nation cant handle legalizing things because they will make us bad

well, since according to Bottle and other well thought out libs we have here ;) maybe we should legalize slavery again? after all, who has the right to tell somebody that they can't have a slave?A moronic counter example.

Consent. You can't consent to be a slave, you can consent to sell your body.

hell, if i thought i could make money (despite being a minor), i would do it.

If a woman freely chooses to have sex for money, I really don't see why she shouldn't be able to do it. After all, it is HER body. I wouldn't recommend that career path, but to me it's a clear cut case of the woman being able to do what she pleases with her body.

WOOO WOOO here comes the clue train! step on up and get on!

if prostitution is legalized the government has control of the industry, prostitutes will be checkedfor STDs, forced to use condoms with their customers and more, plus you can TAX IT then,

just like the porn industry, regular STD checks


I have news for you. Most prostitutes use condoms. They insist on it. It's the customers who have a problem with it. It's a perennial problem with men, that they just don't like them, even if it could save their lives.

I have news for you. Most prostitutes use condoms. They insist on it. It's the customers who have a problem with it. It's a perennial problem with men, that they just don't like them, even if it could save their lives.

if it was legal they have to or they dont get any

if it was legal they have to or they dont get any

Good luck. From what I gather, there would have to be a bouncer watching at all times to pull them off if they broke one on purpose, or pulled it off, etc.

Good luck. From what I gather, there would have to be a bouncer watching at all times to pull them off if they broke one on purpose, or pulled it off, etc.

theres gonna be some one there, not in the room but in the building