Legalizing and Normalizing Sex Work - A Net Positive or Negative for Society?

[TheGxForum]

She grew up hot? That's your takeaway from her story!? She grew up being forced into sexual objectification - that's the furthest thing from "hot".

Well yeah simmer down guy not everyone is so blessed or privileged to grow up in the best environments...

 

[Chilllax]

Would legalizing and normalizing sex work be a net positive or negative for society?

Imagine sex work being legitimized and normalized; workers being licensed and bonded and perhaps coming to your home. Workers who are as dedicated to their craft as Physical Therapists or Massage Therapists and likewise held accountable for following a strict code of ethical conduct.

My feeling is that the positives far outweigh the negatives. There are simply too many people going without physical intimacy - which for many is an irrepressible life-force that is as essential to happiness as laughter. Perhaps some of the SW’s could even have specialized training and certification for servicing those who are elderly, or have severe health issues or disabilities, etc..

On the other hand, perhaps it would be just another vice like gambling, drugs or alcohol that drains bank accounts, ends marriages and breaks up families. Or maybe making access to sex so easy would only further inhibit young people from developing the sort of interpersonal skills that lead to more substantive relationships, like gaming and watching porn for hours on end.

Either way, I’ve always found it hard to understand why we allow those with a talent for brutality to make millions in pro sports, but we don’t allow those with a gift for giving sexual pleasure to monetize their talent, especially when their skills cause no physical harm.

Your thoughts? Would you be a client, or know someone who would benefit?

As a late entrant, permit me to say great thread! Very thought provoking.
I haven't read through all the posts but beyond the moral issues is the very important law and order issue. For the record I am all for legalizing prostitution. I think the benefits ( regulations, maybe reduction in human trafficking, better health services and maybe even reduced crime) outweigh the cons( increased human trafficking perhaps and I recognize it can go both ways,. potential for exploitation etc). That's why I believe that infrastructure to handle a potential increase in crime is the most critical issue. If a prostitute cannot go to the cops or rely on the justice system then everything is down the drain. My humble 2 cents.

 

[TheGxForum]

As a late entrant, permit me to say great thread! Very thought provoking.
I haven't read through all the posts but beyond the moral issues is the very important law and order issue. For the record I am all for legalizing prostitution. I think the benefits ( regulations, maybe reduction in human trafficking, better health services and maybe even reduced crime) outweigh the cons( increased human trafficking perhaps and I recognize it can go both ways,. potential for exploitation etc). That's why I believe that infrastructure to handle a potential increase in crime is the most critical issue. If a prostitute cannot go to the cops or rely on the justice system then everything is down the drain. My humble 2 cents.

The problem with prejudice from the police is always the same problem with pig culture and pig brutality etc I think the best solution for that is reducing pig powers by abolishing/defunding the police and allowing everyone to hire their own security and allow everyone more ability to defend protect themselves instead of the government always having a monopoly on self deference and protection etc...

 

[LMWM321]

The problem with prejudice from the police is always the same problem with pig culture and pig brutality etc I think the best solution for that is reducing pig powers by abolishing/defunding the police and allowing everyone to hire their own security and allow everyone more ability to defend protect themselves instead of the government always having a monopoly on self deference and protection etc...

That's an interesting topic for another forum, I think. ..Maybe the Politics forum.

I do think that if sex work is to get the same respect as being a physical or massage therapist, cops need to evolve. On that we can agree. The rest of your post? ..Um, probably not so much.

 

[TheGxForum]

That's an interesting topic for another forum, I think. ..Maybe the Politics forum.

I do think that if sex work is to get the same respect as being a physical or massage therapist, cops need to evolve. On that we can agree. The rest of your post? ..Um, probably not so much.

Ok well that apoligists opinion that continues to give police culture excuses and rationalizes away bad police behavior saying that police culture is evolving abs getting better etc has been the same for the past 2 centuries ever since the police was invented and as we see nothing charged with same pig culture getting away with murder and worse worldwide everyday that's why I don't believe pig culture can ever improve and I suspect the majority of sex workers will never trust police culture either...

 

[LMWM321]

Ok well that apoligists opinion that continues to give police culture excuses and rationalizes away bad police behavior

Apologist? How did you come to that conclusion?

Look Gx, if you ask those Americans who live in communities with the highest crime rates, they OVERWHELMINGLY support the existence of law enforcement. Indeed, their biggest complaint about cops is that there isn't enough of them in their neighborhood.. Their second most common complaint? Police abuse. So, yes, there are indeed bad cops - It's a huge problem. But having NO cops is not the answer. Only the most naive would believe we could safely exist in such a world.

 

[TheGxForum]

Apologist? How did you come to that conclusion?

Look Gx, if you ask those Americans who live in communities with the highest crime rates, they OVERWHELMINGLY support the existence of law enforcement. Indeed, biggest complaint about cops is that there isn't enough of them in their neighborhood.. Their second most common complaint? Police abuse. So, yes, there are indeed bad cops - It's a huge problem. But having NO cops is not the answer. Only the most naive would believe we could safely exist in such a world.

Ok let's keep this on the topic of sex work like you said I think most of them have prospered most when the police aren't around and I'm pointing out the correlation between less police and more prosperity for sex workers in places where sex work is illegal as well as in places where sex work has been decriminalizsd and that most sex workers would rather have their own private security rather than pay taxes towards theb current pig culture mess found worldwide...

 

[LMWM321]

Ok let's keep this on the topic of sex work like you said I think most of them have prospered most when the police aren't around and I'm pointing out the correlation between less police and more prosperity for sex workers

...Yes, and that's because cops are supposed to stop prostitution. But, as proposed by my post, what if Sex Work was legalized AND normalized - i.e., it was viewed as a form of mental/ emotional health care the same way other forms of therapy are regarded? I'm not saying this would be easy or immediate. But I do think it's possible.

Think of marijuana. 20 years ago, the presence of cops reduced the amount of pot available to a community and the those who sold it were under constant threat of being hassled/ arrested by cops. ..But nowadays?? There are multiple dispensaries in every town AND if a robbery is taking place at one, the cops show up to arrest the robber, not the guy selling the pot legally. This could be true of Sex Work if there is enough public support for it's legalization and normalization.

 

[AprilTwenties]

...Yes, and that's because cops are supposed to stop prostitution. But, as proposed by my post, what if Sex Work was legalized AND normalized - i.e., it was viewed as a form of mental/ emotional health care the same way other forms of therapy are regarded? I'm not saying this would be easy or immediate. But I do think it's possible.

Think of marijuana. 20 years ago, the presence of cops reduced the amount of pot available to a community and the those who sold it were under constant threat of being hassled/ arrested by cops. ..But nowadays?? There are multiple dispensaries in every town AND if a robbery is taking place at one, the cops show up to arrest the robber, not the guy selling the pot legally. This could be true of Sex Work if there is enough public support for it's legalization and normalization.

Ok let's keep this on the topic of sex work like you said I think most of them have prospered most when the police aren't around and I'm pointing out the correlation between less police and more prosperity for sex workers in places where sex work is illegal as well as in places where sex work has been decriminalizsd and that most sex workers would rather have their own private security rather than pay taxes towards theb current pig culture mess found worldwide...

I think we just want our cake and eat it, boo! True, less police calls for more girls...but also calls for more pimps, filling that 'power gap'. Fine. Bitch coerced? Intimidated? Beaten? For most, that's not on. Me, I have my own kink, but in the main I think we'd just like to work freely, with some safe support and not abused.

Taxed so to get healthcare and shit? That'll be a better idea - and cost less - than private that my madame/owner has to pay for, but, by and large there's big difference in pot than people.

People are more hung up on sex and relationships than drugs. Do drugs, don't do drugs....most people wouldn't really care, but...being in a relationship with a sex worker? There's that jealousy thing going down...likewise with the users of us sex workers.

As I wrote, some time back, there's very few men that stick with their women whoring. I've seen it a lot. It's a relationship ruiner, in the main, and that's the main reason why it'll not be taken into legality.

A x

 

[LMWM321]

People are more hung up on sex and relationships than drugs. Do drugs, don't do drugs....most people wouldn't really care, but...being in a relationship with a sex worker? There's that jealousy thing going down...likewise with the users of us sex workers.

All good points AT, but remember... If Sex Work becomes legal it doesn't mean it HAS to be allowed in a relationship. If a couple has a monogamy agreement now, that could still be the case if SW is legalized.

When I think of making SW legal, I also think about all the lonely people who go years, decades, maybe even a lifetime without experiencing physical intimacy. People who would LOVE to be in a relationships but can't find a partner. Sure, sex with someone you love is perhaps better, but many people would prefer paid-sex with a SW to never having sex at all.

One the obstacles to making SW legal is that people don't want brothels in their neighborhoods. ..But what if all SW activities took place in peoples' homes? Kinda like having a masseuse show up to your home. ..Or at an area hotel.

One last point. Tell me if you agree.... A LOT of cops believe prostitution should be legalized. They see it as a largely victimless crime that they spend an inordinate amount of time trying to stop. And it's hopeless. It can't be stopped. I'm betting many would prefer having to arrest only the abusive Patrons instead of ALL Patrons and ALL SWs. ...It frees them up to pursue violent offenders instead of status offenders, which is what SW is - a status offense. Agree?

 

[AprilTwenties]

All good points AT, but remember... If Sex Work becomes legal it doesn't mean it HAS to be allowed in a relationship. If a couple has a monogamy agreement now, that could still be the case if SW is legalized.

When I think of making SW legal, I also think about all the lonely people who go years, decades, maybe even a lifetime without experiencing physical intimacy. People who would LOVE to be in a relationships but can't find a partner. Sure, sex with someone you love is perhaps better, but many people would prefer paid-sex with a SW to never having sex at all.

One the obstacles to making SW legal is that people don't want brothels in their neighborhoods. ..But what if all SW activities took place in peoples' homes? Kinda like having a masseuse show up to your home. ..Or at an area hotel.

One last point. Tell me if you agree.... A LOT of cops believe prostitution should be legalized. They see it as a largely victimless crime that they spend an inordinate amount of time trying to stop. And it's hopeless. It can't be stopped. I'm betting many would prefer having to arrest only the abusive Patrons instead of ALL Patrons and ALL SWs. ...It frees them up to pursue violent offenders instead of status offenders, which is what SW is - a status offense. Agree?

Kinda agree, boo, but I'm mostly concerned with the bitches themselves. Very few people would actively date - as in be in a relationship - with a prossie. Making it legal brings all those that their partners don't know they work, out into the open.

Coming home, after you've had god knows how many punters between your thighs, to an empty home can be soul destroying.

Get me, boo?

A x

 

[LMWM321]

Kinda agree, boo, but I'm mostly concerned with the bitches themselves. Very few people would actively date - as in be in a relationship - with a prossie. Making it legal brings all those that their partners don't know they work, out into the open.

Coming home, after you've had god knows how many punters between your thighs, to an empty home can be soul destroying.

Get me, boo?

A x

Ah, now I get your point. ..Well, maybe if sex work becomes legal and normalized it will destigmatize those who engage in it, thus making being in a romantic relationship with a SW more palatable for men.

In the end, men would just have to get over themselves; a woman is free to do with her body what she choses. Heck, maybe I'm naive, but some men might find it exciting, especially if it's legal and done safely. .I'm pretty sure there are plenty of active porn stars in relationships and marriages.

 

[human_male]

Prostitution in legal in New Zealand. I think its a good thing. It brings everyone under the protection of the law, and I think people's safety is the main thing.

 

[TheGxForum]

...Yes, and that's because cops are supposed to stop prostitution. But, as proposed by my post, what if Sex Work was legalized AND normalized - i.e., it was viewed as a form of mental/ emotional health care the same way other forms of therapy are regarded? I'm not saying this would be easy or immediate. But I do think it's possible.

Think of marijuana. 20 years ago, the presence of cops reduced the amount of pot available to a community and the those who sold it were under constant threat of being hassled/ arrested by cops. ..But nowadays?? There are multiple dispensaries in every town AND if a robbery is taking place at one, the cops show up to arrest the robber, not the guy selling the pot legally. This could be true of Sex Work if there is enough public support for it's legalization and normalization.

Even when it's legal and decriminalized ther police with their pig culture will find ways to bully and lord over the sex workers the only protection anyone including sex workers can truthfully trust are the protectors they choose for themselves not the protectors the governments choose for them...