Prostitution, should it be legal?

[Barihawk]

Or we can just, you know, create a situation where people are not selling sex at all. And don't give me any of that "what about the ones that enjoy it" crap.

[Yomyth105]

It is already legal here, in New Zealand.

 

 

 

On Topic:

 

They cannot make it illegal. People will still do it. There is no way they could possible stop it, as it would be impossible to catch them doing it.

 

 

 

exactly what i was thinking. even if it is illegal how can they catch u and enforce the law. They cant tell u wat to do with ur body but they should only take part in rape and child pornography

[Saru Inc]

If it's strictly controlled where only licensed brothels can run it I'd suppose it's not bad as long as condoms are worn and the clients aren't allowed to ejaculate within or on the prostitute then I wouldn't see much problems with it.

 

 

 

As long as it's strictly controlled to stop the spread of dangerous STD's, prostitutes are checked every two months for STD's and keep clients on record so they can be informed if a STD is found to be had by a prostitute so they can get tested and if possible have it cured.

 

 

 

Seriously though, you must be pretty lacking of social skills if you must pay a girl to get her into a bed.

 

 

 

 

 

Eh, or, you just want to get laid, and never see the person again.

 

 

 

I love all the people against Prostitution, but pro-gay marriage. Stop forcing your beliefs on me!!!!

 

 

 

/Sarcasm.

 

 

 

Really though, it's better to tax it, and maybe tax a little bit extra and send that to charities to end STDS.

[venomai]

This topic reminds me that the vast majority of people here are either sexist or haven't the faintest clue any knowledge of women.

 

Let me get this straight... Women shouldn't have the choice to work as, say, a call girl? You know them better than they know themselves? :lol:

 

 

 

I'm not completely sure who or what you're comment is aimed at.

 

 

 

You presume I'm fine with all types of pornography? Most types I'm fine with, but I find pornography which depicts a false image of sex as a male dominated process in which the female is submissive deeply misleading and in some cases inappropriate.

 

And what about females dominating submissive males, as in "malesub" pornography?

 

 

 

In what context is it inappropriate? Inappropriate to you, or to a child, maybe, but obviously not to the viewers nor those willingly participating in it.

 

 

 

There are some sites out there which depict rape (although it's obviously not rape, it's acted). Are those sites OK for general viewing, just because the woman in the film agrees to be portrayed in that context?

 

I think the answer lies in whether or not these sites have a negative effect on the public.

 

 

 

A quick snippet from Wikipedia summarizes some interesting findings:

 

[hide=]Japan, which is noted for its large output of rape fantasy pornography, has the lowest reported sex crime rate in the industrialized world, but some attribute this to the emphasis on a woman's "honor" in Japanese culture, which makes victims of sex crime less likely to report it (e.g. chikan[14]). However, a 1995 study comparing crime statistics since 1972 when pornography changed from totally prohibited to freely available with no age restrictions found that:[15]

 

 

 

"sex crimes in every category, from rape to public indecency, sexual offenses from both ends of the criminal spectrum, significantly decreased in incidence. Most significantly, despite the wide increase in availability of pornography to children, not only was there a decrease in sex crimes with juveniles as victims but the number of juvenile offenders also decreased significantly. We hypothesized that the increase in pornography, without age restriction and in comics, if it had any detrimental effect, would most negatively influence younger individuals. Just the opposite occurred. The number of victims decreased particularly among the females younger than 13. In 1972, 8.3% of the victims were younger than 13. In 1995 the percentage of victims younger than 13 years of age dropped to 4.0%; a reduction of greater than 50%. In 1972, 33.3 % of the offenders were between 14-19 years of age; by 1995 that percentage had decreased to 9.6%."[/hide]

 

 

 

Another interesting snippet:

 

[hide=]For the countries of Denmark, Sweden and West Germany6, the three nations for which ample data were available at the time, Kutchinsky analyzed in depth the crime statistics and pornography availability for the years from approximately 1964 to 1984. Kutchinsky showed that as the amount of pornography increasingly became available, the rate of rapes in these countries either decreased or remained relatively level. ... In Denmark homosexual child molestation decreased more than 50 percent from 1966 to 1969 (Ben-Veniste, 1971). These decreases in sex crimes involving children are particularly noteworthy since in Japan, as in Denmark, for the time under review, there were no laws, and still are no laws, against the personal non-commercial possession or use of pictures of children involved in sexual activities; so-called "child-porn" (Kutchinsky, 1985b); pp. 5; Anonymous, 1998a).[/hide]

 

 

 

More research certainly is necessary before we can come to a solid conclusion on the effects of such "deviant" pornography, though.

 

 

 

That same argument could have been applied to racism all those years ago. The image of a movie director filming a story now about white people being dominant over black people, and then using the excuse "I'm only catering to an ideology that already exists", even if the black actors consented, is ridiculous.

 

Catering to the expectations of the public is not a valid excuse if the works are shown to have a detrimental effect on society. As of yet, unless I'm mistaken, no significantly negative effects have been found from casual viewing of pornography.

 

 

 

I promote tolerance and respect, and as far as I'm concerned, prostitution is a very gender-specific trade that only fuels intolerance towards women.

 

While the majority of prostitution and pornography will be aimed at a male audience (perhaps due to biological and evolutionary reasons), there is a growing female audience for male pornography and prostitution.

[NoMoreDead]

Legalize it. Wrap it up. Be smart.

 

 

 

Selling is legal. [bleep]ing is legal. Why isn't selling [bleep]ing legal?!

[venomai]

Or we can just, you know, create a situation where people are not selling sex at all. And don't give me any of that "what about the ones that enjoy it" crap.

 

Just like we can create a situation where people don't pollute the Earth, fight wars, murder each other... :?:

[BlueLancer]

 

However, the above arguments are weak. I acknowledge that much. Please bear in mind, though, that America, the presumed target of the debate of legalization, is a democracy-based republic. You said it yourself: "Not a big fan of prostitution," and that's exactly why prostitution will largely remain illegal: because people don't like it. At least in America, whatever people want, that's what they'll get, and if they don't get it, they have the right to seize it.

 

 

 

I don't like prostitution. I despise racists and neo-nazis (pardon for Godwin's law here). I despise the man running the Westboro church.

 

 

 

Nothing can be illegal in a free country based on "dislike". As long as nobody is physically hurt and there are no direct consequences, it can't be illegal.

 

 

 

Likewise, if someone posts racist commentary on tip.it, it doesn't really matter how despicable the opinion is or how much I personally hate him, if he isn't directly making an insult or threat towards anyone. He still has the right to free speech and expression, so there is no basis I could delete those posts on.

 

 

 

Some women want to be involved with prostitution, due to the high earnings. There is absolutely no way around that. Think it was your own daughter working as a prostitute. You can disown her, tell her it's dishonourable (as would I) but you have no legal right to restrict her actions if there are no victims in the process & the proper taxes are paid. She has the right to engage in any business transaction which has been legalised.

 

 

 

I wouldn't encourage any female person to degrade themselves by offering their body for sale, but from a realistic viewpoint, I can't blame the ones opting to work for legal brothels and earning massive amounts of cash per week instead of working a dead-end job at some fastfood joint.

[RayOxide]

Imo its just stupid its not legal.

 

Hundreds-of-thousands do it and everyone KNOWS people do it, yet

 

1.) Its not legal

 

2.) They actually do NOTHING about it.

 

 

 

Even on COPS people are let off for selling sex.

 

COPS!

 

 

 

But then again it will just let more girls flunk out of school..kinda

[uatrouth]

No, it shouldn't be legal.

 

 

 

I know a girl who used to do it, in a brothel.

 

 

 

A few years ago she injured herself in a motorcycle accident and was left with huge debts to pay off, she turned to prostitution as a way out because she had nobody to help her and found the only way she could. She has told me since she will do anything to avoid going back to that "hell hole", it has taken it's toll on her. She does not fit the profile of a prostitute, she is no different than any other girl she doesn't dress skanky or act any different. You would never know that she ever was one unless she told you.

 

 

 

I'm sure there are many women in this situation, I think it is an unfair expectation for society to have.

 

 

 

Right now its "Why don't you get a job" as the expectation.

 

 

 

It should never be "Well you could do some prostitution for a while"

 

 

 

My friend turned to it because she felt she had nowhere else to turn, its unfair that she was ever put into that situation and then tempted into prostitution by a brothel owner who only cared about making money off her.

 

 

 

 

 

[posting under new account to protect my friends identity]

[Bauke]

So because some friend of yours turned to prostitution, which didn't work out, it should be illegal? What kind of argument is that?

 

 

 

I'm glad it's legal here in Holland. Regulation is better than keeping it illegal. Same for selling weed. Also I think it's wrong that people can't choose for themselves whether they want to sell their body or not. I'm not letting the government decide whether I would do it or not. (Not that I would, mind you)

[uatrouth]

It is a general expectation of society that people work for a living (i.e not on welfare)

 

 

 

Do you think it is acceptable to expect women to become prostitutes if no other work is available?

[Ginger_Warrior]

So because some friend of yours turned to prostitution, which didn't work out, it should be illegal? What kind of argument is that?

 

"Didn't work out" seems to be a misinterpretation of what was said. Try "sex slavery".

 

 

 

I'm not interested in crime stats or so-called 'rights to freedom'. It dehumanises the main issue in this debate.

 

 

 

No woman, or man, should ever be forced into selling their dignity, their body, or their sexual discretion for money, and for the state to turn round and say, "We're not only gonna decriminalise it, we'll even run the brothels to sell yourself in!", instead of providing tangible ways to get them out of the situation they are in to lift them out of debt is horrendous.

[uatrouth]

So because some friend of yours turned to prostitution, which didn't work out, it should be illegal? What kind of argument is that?

 

"Didn't work out" seems to be a misinterpretation of what was said. Try "sex slavery".

 

 

 

 

I used to have the same attitudes as Bauke when I first met "Montana" (that was her alias) she was talkative and seemed to trust me more than her other clients, (she has told me since she left the industry that she changed her shifts to be there when I would visit.) As I got to know her as I person my whole view changed. It just seemed wrong for her to be there, she did not belong and I felt pity for her as well as some personal guilt.

 

 

 

I convinced her to leave, but she needed on going (expensive) treatment for a back injury (Broke her spine in 2 places). So I paid for her treatments. She is now allot happier, I look after her and she knows she doesn't ever have to return. Hopefully she will be able to return to Uni and finish studying medicine.

 

 

 

I have been asked "Why are you helping me?" in the past which I cannot answer completely, but in truth I feel partly responsible for what happened to her.

 

 

 

She has told me what it was like, the abusive clients.

 

The horrible feeling of just being "Chosen" from the line up of girls.

 

The overall feeling of just being "used" instead of treated as a person.

 

 

 

She could not kick abusive clients out for fear of being sacked, she feared having to be out of the street so she just had to tolerate it.

 

 

 

Her only alternative was to be in physical pain and possibly suffer more injury if she did not seek treatment, not holding any high Qualifications and not being able to do physical work she had no other choice. She was lured out of desperation and I will never let it happen to her again.

 

 

 

I can't talk about this anymore...

[i_love_burritos]

Sure why not, if you want to more contract more STDs than you can count on your fingers ... and toes.

[mmmcannibalism]

I used to have the same attitudes as Bauke when I first met "Montana" (that was her alias) she was talkative and seemed to trust me more than her other clients, (she has told me since she left the industry that she changed her shifts to be there when I would visit.) As I got to know her as I person my whole view changed. It just seemed wrong for her to be there, she did not belong and I felt pity for her as well as some personal guilt.

 

 

 

I convinced her to leave, but she needed on going (expensive) treatment for a back injury (Broke her spine in 2 places). So I paid for her treatments. She is now allot happier, I look after her and she knows she doesn't ever have to return. Hopefully she will be able to return to Uni and finish studying medicine.

 

 

 

I have been asked "Why are you helping me?" in the past which I cannot answer completely, but in truth I feel partly responsible for what happened to her.

 

 

 

She has told me what it was like, the abusive clients.

 

The horrible feeling of just being "Chosen" from the line up of girls.

 

The overall feeling of just being "used" instead of treated as a person.

 

 

 

She could not kick abusive clients out for fear of being sacked, she feared having to be out of the street so she just had to tolerate it.

 

 

 

Her only alternative was to be in physical pain and possibly suffer more injury if she did not seek treatment, not holding any high Qualifications and not being able to do physical work she had no other choice. She was lured out of desperation and I will never let it happen to her again.

 

 

 

I can't talk about this anymore...

 

 

 

 

 

Terrible situation, I want to fully say that was awful for her before the rest of this post

 

 

 

okay then

 

 

 

realisticlly you will never stop prostitution from occuring, and since it doesnt literally harm anyone it should be legalized and strictly regulated. To prevent the cases of near sex slavery make a waiting period for said jobs and make a psych evaluation by an objective third party a requirement for employment.

[Giordano]

Though it is quite sad what happened to your friend, she did had the choice to become a prostitute. I don't like saying it, but it's the truth. I'll rather starve than to become a sex slave.

 

 

 

While I really, really, really hate prostitution, it is technically not hurting anybody and I'm forced to say it can be legal if it needs to be. Just don't expect my vote on either side...

[Zonorhc]

So you would rather the industry continue as it is, than have its employers liable to the same regulations that other businesses abide by?

 

 

 

Did you clamour in protest when factory owners were forced to start giving a damn about their employees as well, because you knew a man who'd been injured on the production line?

[I_am_Geed]

No, its extremely unmoral to many people.

[Rainy_Day]

It's legal in Germany I believe, and apparently the woman who do it are very classy. If it were to be legalized, then strict regulations would have to come into effect (Age, locations of conduct, sexually transmitted deceases, drug tests to make sure the men/women are not feeding addiction for such a job? etc). I assume it would cut down rape statistics, but as bad as it sounds, give people legal jobs.

 

 

 

Although I'm sure it would be quite hard to regulate such a thing, especially in England. To my belief, it can be quite bad in terms of numbers throughout England, but it will never be stopped. It would all come to do morality in the long run.

[Zonorhc]

It should never come to the point where governments make moral decisions for people, but unfortunately the first world gets a warm, fuzzy feeling from allowing the ignorant and often impressionable masses to vote.

[saif]

already legal in Reno, Nevada.

 

 

 

+ go to most European cities/countries. Legal there for your sexual needs.

[Varda]

Buying sex got banned 01.01.09 in Norway, I think it was due to men, or women, from Nigeria (or so the news said), that the men used the women, to sell sex for them, and they took the money themselves, while the women where left on the street, to selling their body. I'm kinda glad it got banned, not that I have ever seen prostitutes in Bergen. But I know that in Oslo, they were everywhere, not in some hidden small street. Same with drug dealers, they used to be everywhere in Oslo, outside schools, open in the streets, but I think the police has got rid off most of them.

 

 

 

What a rambling...

[user1991]

In my opinion, it should not. I find it terrible that a woman should use such a sacred act as a last resort for money.

 

 

 

And someone please edit the title so that the spelling is correct.

 

 

 

"Sacred"?

 

 

 

Do you think you have the right to tell people what they can and cannot do with their own bodies?

 

 

 

Give people the freedom to do what they want to themselves, and as long as they do not impose on the freedoms of others, it should be legal.

 

 

 

Drugs, prostitution, etc. It is not the role of government to tell people what they can and can't do to themselves.

 

 

 

You people have a weird mentality. Not weird in the sense that you aren't normal, because obviously the majority agree with you, but I mean, you've been brainwashed to believe that the government should actually be able to legislate laws against things which you do to yourself.

 

 

 

I govern myself. I have the right to do whatever I want to myself as long as I do not impose on the freedoms of others. The government telling you what you can and cannot do to yourself is basically the same as saying "we own you," which is tyranny.

 

 

 

Rights aren't rights if they can be taken away.

 

 

 

Americans, whatever happened to "give me liberty or give me death!"? The harms are irrelevant. Should a woman have the right to have sex with men for money? Yes. A lot of harms can also come with prostitution, a lot of which are only there because it is legal, but even so, you cannot suspend someone's rights.

[psvstef]

it is legal were i live,but why would it we illegal? -.-

[mmmcannibalism]

it is legal were i live,but why would it we illegal? -.-

 

 

 

devil's advocate time(well pastor's advocate time is more appropriate :lol: )

 

 

 

1. its not exactly a moral occupation(not really an argument more like a supporting detail)

 

 

 

2. theory that prostitution existing leads to the breakup of families(because someone thats going to cheat on their spouse will only do it if their are prostitutes available :lol: )

 

 

 

3. makes the city/town/state look bad if their are legal brothels(more of a social stigma argument but it is reasonable)

 

 

 

Ive never really studied the defense of a prostitution ban but Im hoping thats at least a partial list of reasons