Should Prostitution be Legalized?

[lavender]

 

[Thumper]

Voulet Vouz couchet avec moi?

Yep.

Then I could get rich.






Lavy...can ya break a C note?

 

[lavender]

Re: Voulet Vouz couchet avec moi?

 

[alltherage]

I believe that prostitution should be legalized for many reasons. Heath, and safety not the least of these. I have no problem with anyone enjoying porn as long as they understand that many of those who work in the business are products of abuse. That would seem to me the biggest problem with both these businesses. The workers often are abused and have terrible self worth which is futher diminished by their participation. I do not think we should continue to criminalize prostitution as a monument to our false sense of righteousness. We should legalize the business and then offer help for those who choose to seek it. First we should shoot pimps. Or perhaps just feed them to sharks. At the very least women who work in prostitution ought to be able to keep their money. They earned it.

 

[chewbacca71]

My take on this issue is that it should be legalized. There is no reason not to do so. I think that legalizing it would reduce some of the abuse that these poor girls suffer at the hands of the men that manipulate them. It would also provide the women with a legitimate income to support them and their families. I also think that legalizing this may bring down some of the sex crimes that you see on the news all of the time nowadays. If the men were able to take care of their sexual frustration in a safe and legal manner , than some might not feel the need to rape and hurt women. Now, yes I understand that alot of these crimes are perpetrated by men who do this to cause pain and suffering and to dominate the women that they traumatize, but any decrease in these statistics would be appreciated. One last side effect of making this legal could be a healthier lifestyle for the women who pursue this trade. They would probably have an ability to get health insurance which could cut down on the number of STD's that they suffer. Just wanted to put my two cents worth into this thread. Chewey

 

[Calamity Jane]

I'll try to frame my answer somewhat coherently, but I just woke up from one of those brain cell killing afternoon naps... bear with me.

I think that prostitution should be legalized. I think that it is the criminalization of prostitution that fosters the 'darkness' and the danger that surrounds the profession. Consenting adults in an industry that was regulated would stand to not only operate in a safer, more autonomous environement, but their customers would be better protected as well.

As far as the feminist issue, I don't see why the fact that these women are selling their bodies automatically means that they don't believe in the principles of equal treatment. Is it because it's a 'feminine' role that they embrace? In that case, because I'm a stay at home mother, I don't qualify as a feminist. These women (assuming that they're in the profession of their own free will) chose to use their assets in order to make a living. Is that less valid than a woman who chooses to use her brain instead of her breasts? A woman who is extremely tall and athletic becoming a basketball player? Getting paid based on your physical attributes is not a bad thing.

 

[unclej]

i can't speak to the point of feminism...not only am i not qualified but the rules keep changing so if i had adopted a stance i'd probably be wrong by now..(i was trying to put one of those little smiley faces here but don't know how)

the last time i used the services of a prostitute was years ago at the famous chicken ranch in la grange, texas, not far from my home...under controled conditions such as those prostitutes performed a service that has taken many a boy to manhood and helped many a frustrated man to relieve his sexual tensions...shy men could have a little fun without fear of rejection and untold numbers of colledge boy, like i was at the time, could go and have a few drinks and a little lovin' on a sat. night..so yes, i'm all for that...

it is a much scarier proposition today...instead of an occasional case of clap and visit to the doc for a shot you might well find yourself with something that can kill you..as bad as i hate the thought of more government i'm afraid that legalizing prostitution would require some sort of government control...if that could be taken care of then i say yes...bring on the girls...

 

[chewbacca71]

If I am not mistaken, prostituion is legal in some small pockets of the country , correct? I thought that Las Vegas was one of those. Do any of the fine folks of Lit have any experience in a legalized brothel that could shed some light on what we are all pointing out about this issue? Experiences as a guest to a brothel (or as a worker - this would be even more interesting), would be welcome. As far as workers for a brothel. some of the beautiful women here could make a lot of money. wooohooooo
Chewey

 

[Fly_On_Wall]

Lavender come to ontario. Prostitution IS legal.

there are adds all over the place, in the news papper, fuck there are 40 pages in the phone book (yes I counted cause I thought it was funny)

the only part that is illegal is if a prostitute is standing on a street corner looking to pic someone up, she won't be arrested for this but the cops will give her a heafty fine, and the only reason for this fine is because they don't want people stading on the streets at night where they can get hurt, beat, or killed.

other then that everything about prostitution is perfectly leagal where I live.

 

[freescorfr]

Basically, prostitution is a contract between two people. Nobody else should be involved.

 

[FlamingoBlue]

Legalize prostitution....

All hookers should be licensed,zoned and health inspected. And tax the living fuck out out of their activities.


blue

 

[kiwiwolf]

At the moment there is a bill before New Zealand parliament to legalise prostitution. In New Zealand we have a sad situation where a client can offer to pay for sex and he is immune. However a working girl can't ask for money for her services or she is guilty of soliciting. It is a hideous double standard which puts the girls at risk and makes the industry dangerous.

In parlours there are no health regulations in place. Basic health standards for a licenced premises must be adhered to but this only applies to the liquor licence side of the business. No regular health checks or regulations concerning the health of the girls or punters. I have heard of a parlour here in Auckland where for an extra 50 bucks you can fuck the hooker of your choice minus condom. A regular STD smorgasbord...

The bill before parliament aims to address these and other issues. It should go through as it surprisingly has the support of major church groups and most MPs on both sides of the house. I hope it does.

A good friend of mine is a working girl. She has put herself nearly all the way through a masters degree in marine biology, and has provided a good safe environment for her physically handicapped son. She enjoys a standard of living that I envy and I live well. However no matter what the government does with this bill there will always be a stigma hanging over her professional life. No such stigma exists for her clients. They are manly men... she is a whore. Ridiculous isn't it?

 

[lavender]

 

[kiwiwolf]

Yup. Da wolf is definitely one of the good ones.

Aww shucks Ma'am... Thank you...


I do have more to say on the issue. As usual my posting finger kicked in before my brain was fully revved up.

The parlour owners here in NZ are creaming it. They charge the girls 20 bucks a shift each as a fee for towels etc. Then they get 50 bucks from every customer for every hour. On top of this they can fine girls for any reason they consider appropriate. I am talking to my friend on the phone as I type this. Fines include 50 notes for being more than 10 minutes late... up to 150 for not turning up for a shift even due to sickness or personal emergency. Some girls are required to post a bond of up to 1000 buck to work in the parlour. If they are fired or leave without "due notice" they don't see the money.

Aside from regulations governing the conduct of the bar side of thier operation they have no legal obligations to thier girls. With luck this bill will remove some of the inequalities between this industry and others. Parlour owners will have to register and normal employer/employee rights will have to be observed. The girls will have some form of legal comeback for poor treatment. It will force the dangerous operators out of business and hopefully remove some of the stigma these girls face for wanting a better standard of living.

With thanks to Rio... I value your friendship and your help... join up and post baby... you rock, they would love you here.

 

[MechaBlade]

Yes.

Yes.

Then rich old millionaires wouldn't have to marry the women that they want to fuck and leave their money to. They could just keep them on salary, kinda like Hugh Hefner does, but gets away with somehow.

And of course because if more people were having sex, the world would be a happier place.

MechaBlade

 

[Texan]

Prostitution is not a felony in any state. Laws governing prostitution are made at the state or ( in the case of Texas and Nevada) at the local level.

IMO, this is as it should be. I think a community has the right to set its own standards. I don't want prostitution to be legal in the small town in which I live, but if some other city or town wants to legalize prostitution, that's fine with me.

I view laws governing prostitution in the same way I see laws that regulate liquor sales. I see it more as a "zoning" issue. It should be in the control of the local community to establish laws in an effort to control the nature of the community in which they want to live.

just my opinion

 

[lavender]

Re: Yes.

 

[Weird Harold]

If I am not mistaken, prostituion is legal in some small pockets of the country , correct? I thought that Las Vegas was one of those. Do any of the fine folks of Lit have any experience in a legalized brothel that could shed some light on what we are all pointing out about this issue?

Prostitution is legal in Nevada, but NOT in Las Vegas (Clark County.) I don't believe it's legal in Washoe County (Reno) either. I have posted pictures of some of the brothels along US 95 between Las Vegas and Reno although I've never takent the time to stop in -- It would be very easy (and expensive) to turn an eight-hour drive into a full wekend on the road.

If you'd like more info on the brothels closest to Las Vegas, this link came from Las Vegas Online (lvol.com): Brothel information and FAQs

 

[miles]

Some government we have, huh guys?

The laws against prostitution can't be logically explained. They are based on the "morals of the majority" rather than the rights of individuals. That is the true definition of a Democracy (which we aren't) where the majority rules. Bad idea.

How many people in the U.S. are either dead or under the supervision of the criminal justice system because of our stupid drug laws? I have yet to hear a logical, factual (not emotional) argument that can say decriminalization would be worse than our current pathetic war on drugs.

 

[NoRegrets]

Go through a day without breaking a law!

This is a very important and broader issue for me.

Huge numbers of people engage prostitutes, use illegal drugs, commit homosexual acts, practice sodomy, roll through a stop sign walk the dog off-leash, etc. By making everyone a criminal there is less respect for the law and the police become the enemy. This seems like the beginning of a break down in social order and lots of strife. At the very least, these laws get selectively enforced and make discrimination very easy to practice.

I understand how a feminist could oppose legalized prostitution but if it’s legal at least there is a better chance of keeping kids out of it and protecting sex workers.

I want my government to protect me from foreign and domestic threats of violence and fraud. Until this is accomplished, I don’t want any resources squandered protecting people from themselves.

BTW: The famous super-bowl commercial claiming that if you buy drugs you support terrorism is dead wrong. Making drugs illegal is what feeds terrorists and organized crime.

 

[Ishmael]

To our shame

I believe that prostitution should be legalized for many reasons. Heath, and safety not the least of these. I have no problem with anyone enjoying porn as long as they understand that many of those who work in the business are products of abuse. That would seem to me the biggest problem with both these businesses. The workers often are abused and have terrible self worth which is futher diminished by their participation. I do not think we should continue to criminalize prostitution as a monument to our false sense of righteousness. We should legalize the business and then offer help for those who choose to seek it. First we should shoot pimps. Or perhaps just feed them to sharks. At the very least women who work in prostitution ought to be able to keep their money. They earned it.

Unfortunately you are precisely right. You forgot to mention victims (some would dispute the use of that term) of incest also.

I beleive that it should be local option. And that it is a contract between two parties. The caveat is that there are public health issues at stake and like the food business, should have certain standards applied.

On the other hand it would bring an entirely new meaning to the phrase "Going out for a bite to eat."

Ishmael

 

[floridaguy64]

Sign me up............

Legalize pros................ make em safer and cleaner................

I'd be getting more than the wife gives me now .....................

It'd cost me WAY,WAY,WAY,........... LESS!!!!!!!!

Hell yeah!


Legalize it ALL........... The prices would drop down beyond belief, pleasures would abound...................

I am a Libertarian.............. No man should pre-decide what you can and should be able to do with your body. I say.......... Let you and GOD decide your fate................ F**K government intervention!

 

[chewbacca71]

Thank you for the clarification and information Weird Harold, I appreciate it. Chewey

 

[bored1]

I don't recall discussing this before. It would be interesting to hear your take on the matter.

I see no harm in legalizing prostitution. I think I use the same abstract justifications for the legalization of prostitution and the legalization of drugs. I think the legalization of prostitution, in many ways, has less negative consequences than the legalization of drugs.

As a sidenote, do you believe that prostitution in its American form truly contradicts principles of feminism? I've been reading numerous articles about the Third Wave of "feel good feminists" saying that women who are pro-porn and do not fight prostitution simply don't understand feminism. I can't help but disagree, on several levels. I understand the basic argument. But, at the same time I think of all the women who are living large by selling their bodies in a way.

I just would like to hear some of your viewpoints.

Yes It should be legal,The workers should be tested periodically for STDs. Prostitution can never be legislated away,As everyone knows its been around since the beginning.As for the feminists,Seems to me if a women wants to earn money in this way it is her right........Its her body and her choice.....

 

[Sabineteas]

I don't recall discussing this before. It would be interesting to hear your take on the matter.

I see no harm in legalizing prostitution. I think I use the same abstract justifications for the legalization of prostitution and the legalization of drugs. I think the legalization of prostitution, in many ways, has less negative consequences than the legalization of drugs.

As a sidenote, do you believe that prostitution in its American form truly contradicts principles of feminism? I've been reading numerous articles about the Third Wave of "feel good feminists" saying that women who are pro-porn and do not fight prostitution simply don't understand feminism. I can't help but disagree, on several levels. I understand the basic argument. But, at the same time I think of all the women who are living large by selling their bodies in a way.

I just would like to hear some of your viewpoints.

I believe in principal that prostitution should be legalized. Today in America it is controlled by men<probably some women> whose only goal is to make as much money as possible off women. Legalization would remove most, but probably not all from their control.

Would it eliminate the abuse of the women that work as prostitutes? Probably not, because many of these women do not have the support of family/friends to help them avoid abuse. So many prostitutes are runaways and women with no where else to turn and they are the easiest to abuse. Just legalizing prostitution will not eliminate the abuse of women who are involved in it.

I don't think we want a government run business, but without full government control, women will still be abused. That is where I think there is a feminist issue. If a woman wants to sell her vagina for money, I believe that she should be able to do so. And feminists should butt out on that issue, but they don't. But, I feel that feminists should be involved where there is abuse of women. I don't know what is the right way for that involvment, but that is where it should be.

As a person with a close view of the fringe of the sex industry, I can tell any of you that there is abuse at all levels. My experience was monetary, in fees, sharing what I made with the club, penalties if I was late, or could not be there when I was supposed to be there. The possible loss of my job if I didn't meet the clubs "Standards". There were many ways that they could get you, and they used all of them. I can only imagine how prostitutes or porn actresses are abused by the industry.

There has to be a way, but our country's lovely, fearful legislators would not, will not address this issue. First of all they would be afraid that the moral majority will ensure they won't be re-elected and second, there is not a real constituency that they feel they would be serving that would be to their benefit. So, I don't see this becoming an issue that we are going to see debated any time soon.