Prostitution, legalise or not?

Sweetdeath · February 03, 2012, 03:33:40 PM

It really shouldn't be illegal. I nevee got why it was. I agree, having sex for free is fine, but charging money--then the gov gets involved? Why?
It's another way to inpede on human rights.

Whitney · February 03, 2012, 05:39:08 PM

I don't see why it should be illegal. I also don't see why it would be bad if that's what the person really wants to do. Stripping is legal in most areas, even full nude stripping, and women could be doing that because they either enjoy it or because they feel they have to for the money. Making something illegal only drives the practice further underground and takes away the ability to insure safe working conditions. With prostitution being legal, as it is in some areas outside of vegas, the service can be regulated (regular checkups and, perhaps, psych evals) and the prostitutes could even call the police without concern if they had a problem with a customer.

But the gov would need to be involved in regulation if prostitution were legal. Just like they have to regulate all other services that could affect public health. The US doesn't have a good working model for how to regulate any health related industry without government involvement. With a tatoo parlor they have to maintain clinical conditions; with a prostitute it would be mainlining her (or his) body to be std free. It wouldn't be a violation of human rights because a person could choose not to enter that industry if they didn't want to go through regular std screenings.

As for taxing...it could be treated like any other taxable service. It wouldn't be fair to everyone else who has more traditional jobs to not tax prostitution at all. I don't agree with special 'vice' taxes though; at least not unless there is a demonstrateable harm of that vice to society and the extra tax money goes directly towards offsetting that harm.

Ecurb Noselrub · February 03, 2012, 05:48:32 PM

If you are going to emphasize human freedom, then you have to take the bad with the good. As long as no one is getting victimized or exploited and public health concerns are being met (which can hopefully be done through regulation), then people should be free to do what they want with their own bodies.

MariaEvri · February 03, 2012, 06:17:59 PM

my opinion is that, unless a woman is forced into it against her will I see no reason to be illegal. Sex is a normal bodily function and if a man (or woman) is horny and doesn't want to do it solo, they should have that option.

Guardian85 · February 03, 2012, 06:45:29 PM

When Norway implemented the most ridiculus prostitution law ever in 2006, the only thing that happened was that the buisness was forced deeper underground. This made it more difficult to keep control of the buisness and made it less safe for the working girls.

A system where you would have to register as a sex worker would be the best. It would be a serious bump in the road for the trafficers, it could enforce regular check-ups, and the fact that it is not illegal would mean that the girls can work in proper facilities with good security.
Nothing makes a guy behave like the knowledge that he can be thrown out, probably butt naked, by a large guy in a Security shirt.

Asmodean · February 03, 2012, 07:15:49 PM

Quote from: Guardian85 on February 03, 2012, 06:45:29 PM
When Norway implemented the most ridiculus prostitution law ever in 2006, the only thing that happened was that the buisness was forced deeper underground.

Also, more coin for the government. That said, it's pretty much just as easy to get street sex now as before.

QuoteThis made it more difficult to keep control of the buisness and made it less safe for the working girls.

Coin for the government... How are the working girls supposed to even slightly tip the scales?

QuoteNothing makes a guy behave like the knowledge that he can be thrown out, probably butt naked, by a large guy in a Security shirt.

Sorry, but this is just wrong. Oh, sure, it does lessen the chance of more minor offences towards the prostitutes, but it won't stop a rapist for instance. Active surveilance might, but then some bleeding-heart freedom to the people types would scream and shout about your batroom being next.

Sweetdeath · February 03, 2012, 07:54:04 PM

Why exactly ia it illegal anyeay? I mean, I definitely most of these people need help.or a pysch exam, but WHY it something that has existed for centuries illegal?
People seem to look down on prostitutes and not the people who come to them. I find it all very hypocritical. Something tells me a religious act is behind why most people want to keep it illegal.

The Magic Pudding · February 04, 2012, 12:20:48 AM

Quote from: Davin on February 03, 2012, 02:39:15 PM
Quote from: Asmodean on February 03, 2012, 10:26:36 AMPenn and Teller, they did a fair episode about this in their Bullshit show.
I think one of the best arguments I saw on that episode was something like, "why is it illegal to charge for something that's perfectly legal to give away for free?"

It is legal to give away but illegal to sell your body parts (transplants) in many places, I can see the sense of it to avoid exploitation. This prohibition may be beneficial because it reduces the incidence of desperates selling their kidneys. The transplant process doesn't lend it self as easily to alleyway/car/cheap room exchanges. With prostitution it is very hard too reduce the incidence of the act, and really it's not the incidence of the thing that concerns me, it is the suffering of the prostitute. I think it's pretty clear making it illegal doesn't assist prostitutes.

I hope I haven't started a why can't I sell my body parts in a free market derail.

Sweetdeath · February 04, 2012, 12:26:37 AM

That's what makes me sad. A lot of these people cant depend on the law to help them.if they are really in trouble. >__<
Make it legal, so they dont have to live in fear and shame if something terrible happens. I dislike the idea of looking down on anyone who needs help.

Ali · February 04, 2012, 12:32:20 AM

Quote from: Sweetdeath on February 04, 2012, 12:26:37 AM
That's what makes me sad. A lot of these people cant depend on the law to help them.if they are really in trouble. >__<
Make it legal, so they dont have to live in fear and shame if something terrible happens. I dislike the idea of looking down on anyone who needs help.

Here here. The way the system works now, it feels like we're failing them doubly. First because many of them seem to have no other or better options than prostitution, and second because if someone hurts them, they can't go to the police for fear of being arrested themselves. That's not the way we should be treating our fellow humans.

Sweetdeath · February 04, 2012, 12:49:29 AM

Quote from: Ali on February 04, 2012, 12:32:20 AM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on February 04, 2012, 12:26:37 AM
That's what makes me sad. A lot of these people cant depend on the law to help them.if they are really in trouble. >__<
Make it legal, so they dont have to live in fear and shame if something terrible happens. I dislike the idea of looking down on anyone who needs help.

Here here. The way the system works now, it feels like we're failing them doubly. First because many of them seem to have no other or better options than prostitution, and second because if someone hurts them, they can't go to the police for fear of being arrested themselves. That's not the way we should be treating our fellow humans.

Yeah, seriously. Making victims feel like they did something wrong is a terrible thing. Our US justice system seems to fail a lot of people.

Anne D. · February 04, 2012, 12:55:07 AM

Quote from: Sweetdeath on February 03, 2012, 06:36:02 AM
My thoughts are, it shouldn't be illegal, because in a sense you are telling someone what to do with their own body, BUT it shouldn't be encouraged in any way.

I think.it should be legal and regulated, though honestly more community services should provide help for these people .

I am personally disgusted at the thought of one selling their body. And even more appauled at anyone WILLING to pay a stranger for sex.... I mean, that is low. Leaving out love or romance, you are allowing a total stranger to touch you. It's just...ugh.. ... Seems so completely dehumanizing......

I'm not appalled at someone paying for sex. I'm appalled at someone knowingly paying for sex that's provided by someone who has been forced to be a prostitute, but not by the concept of paying for sex in general.

Some people would never get to have sex if they didn't pay for it.

Sandra Craft · February 04, 2012, 01:44:54 AM

Quote from: Anne D. on February 04, 2012, 12:55:07 AM
Some people would never get to have sex if they didn't pay for it.

Sweet Cream Ladies I couldn't resist.

Guardian85 · February 04, 2012, 01:54:13 PM

Is everyone agreed that prostitutes are only women who have been forced to sell a service?
Aren't there also women who see this as a way to make good money very fast? I mean, a high end call girl makes more working 10 hours a week then I make in a month.

Quote"Hmmm... I can work 40 hours a week at Kentuky Fried Chicken, or I can blow the Colonel for 30 minutes."
-Bill Maher-

Tank · February 04, 2012, 02:32:55 PM

Quote from: Guardian85 on February 04, 2012, 01:54:13 PM
Is everyone agreed that prostitutes are only women who have been forced to sell a service?
Aren't there also women who see this as a way to make good money very fast? I mean, a high end call girl makes more working 10 hours a week then I make in a month.

Quote"Hmmm... I can work 40 hours a week at Kentuky Fried Chicken, or I can blow the Colonel for 30 minutes."
-Bill Maher-

There was an interesting TV programme called "The Chicken Ranch". It was about a brothel near Las Vagas where prostitution is legal. The women would take a room for a day or so and pay 50% of their take as rent. There was one lady who needed a new engine for her car and could earn that in a day.

News:

Prostitution, legalise or not?