Should prostitution be illegal or legal?

[Shell Beau]

I read an article in Glamour about prostitution around the world. Places where it was legal and illegal, the women in the article embraced legalizing it in America. What do you think and why?

[kick-ass-bob]

1. It should.

I agree.

[48pan]

78. Yup. Legal and regulated, just like pot.

[terrya]

2. Legalize it. It's silly to have it illegal.

The police in our cities and towns have better things to do than to enforce idiotic laws against prostitution. As long as it's two consenting adults, that's THEIR business, not the state's.

[Shell Beau]

4. What age would be appropriate for people to take on that job?

18?

[terrya]

12. 21

IMO.

[arwalden]

24. Twenty-One... That Seems Reasonable.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

Yes. Or, more exact, when one's not a minor anymore.

A detail: there's this thing called "age of consent" that in some cases is lower than the majority age. In this case, I think the majority age should be the limit.

[Shell Beau]

15. Yes because I believe 16 is the age where I live. I may

be wrong though. Is 16 too young? I think so. I guess that is where the majority comes in.

[GreenArrow]

3. yes. legal.

.

[BR_Parkway]

5. If someone willing does it, then I don't see it as a crime. Like the

drug laws. If someone is forced into it, or drugged to do it - different story.

But why does the gov't need to tell any properly thinking adult American what they can or can't do with their own body? They shouldn't tell her that she needs to have a baby if she chooses not to, they shouldn't tell her that she'll qualify for 'special rights' if she marries a boy instead of a girl.

[Shell Beau]

7. Why do you think it is illegal in most parts of the world?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

14. Because most of the world is fucked up. (nt)

[Shell Beau]

16. We are all fucked up really!

[BR_Parkway]

33. Mostly men making the rules and wanting to tell women what to do

Seems like the areas that have legalized it have been successful, and there are still prosecutions for abuse and things like that.

And there are still mom's out there who try to convince their daughter's that it's "just as easy to marry a rich man as it is a poor one". There are people who do get involved with people for the money, even if it isn't a strictly 'so many $$$ for XXX' type transaction.

I just don't like the idea of government thinking that it knows better than me what I should do with my body. As long as I'm not posing a danger to others, than they have no say. Or shouldn't, regardless of how much they want to.

For the government to assume that I am not as capable of making up my mind for myself without their potential punishments is the height of arrogance and greatly infringes on my personal 'pursuit of happiness'

If I drive drunk, I'm a danger, but if I sit home and get schnockered, who cares?

If I smoke/take drugs and get on the road or point guns at people, I'm a danger - but again, if sitting quietly at home, who's hurt?

If I freely screw anything and everything (ok, dangerous from a STD standpoint) I'm not breaking the law. But were I to screw one person in exchange for a pack of cigarettes (I'm not that cheap, just making a point) then I'm breaking a law?

[Omphaloskepsis]

40. It is difficult to tax.

I don't really know but some food for thought.

[jmaier]

6. it should be legal, safe and rare

[Shell Beau]

9. Do you think it would be rarer if it were legal?

Kind of like drug use?

[dean_dem]

37. Not necessarily rarer, but at least better regulated.

I guarantee you STD rates and things of that sort would drop.

[NewJeffCT]

53. I think there would be an initial boom

Then, it would lose luster as the novelty faded away...

[Madrone]

8. Legalized.

I'd like to see the cops stop setting up prostitution sting operations and actually focus on protecting and serving!

I don't *like* prostitution, but I like it being a crime even less. And I've never seen any golddiggers get arrested - and they're doing the same thing.

[Shell Beau]

11. Excellent point!

[benburch]

10. Decriminalized.

Legalized implies a brothel system like in Nevada which is in some ways MORE abusive to the workers than criminalization.

It should be like any other personal service job, and should be open to any adult person.

[Wapsie B]

13. Legal

[MemphisTiger]

17. Aren't porn actors/actrss basically prostitutes?

They get paid to have sex on screen. So as long as you film it, it's not prostitution?

[Shell Beau]

18. I agree with you completely.

What is the difference, really?

[MemphisTiger]

20. One group pays their taxes and the other doesn't

that's my guess

[Shell Beau]

21. Well if it were legal, I guess both would.

That makes no sense. Why is it okay to make a film and get paid for having sex, but not okay if no film is involved?

[MemphisTiger]

34. That was my point exactly

You would think the government would want a new form of revenue from the pimps and pro's

[mongo]

44. It's only legal in California

Aren't porn actors/actrss basically prostitutes? They get paid to have sex on screen. So as long as you film it, it's not prostitution?

In 49 states if a performer (male or female) is paid to perform a sexual act while being filmed, it it prostitution.

[MemphisTiger]

51. I did not know that

That just confirms how out of touch those blue-state liberal elite are in CA from mainstream, family values amer-ka. :sarcasm:

[mongo]

56. And I forgot about the Extreme Assoc (Rob Black) case

in the Pittsburgh federal court where judge Lancaster threw out a case against a porn producer who mailed a tape to a Pittsburgh address, so it is now legal to make in Pittsburgh and parts of Western PA.

We'll see how the appeal goes.

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. Legalize it

and regulate it by the health department.

[Justin54B20L]

22. Why not a legalized system like there is in place in parts of Europe?

I mean, Germany, has legal prostitution, but it is regulated by the government. There are regulations regarding employers, employee safety and the like. They are subject to regular governmental inspections.

Just a thought.

[MN ChimpH8R]

29. That seems

eminently reasonable and sensible to me. But then Germans are furriners that aren't as moral and righteous as us fundie wingnut 'murrikans. :eyes:

[dr.strangelove]

23. Tough Call - I don't think I would legalize it

Here we have a profession which entails a certain amount of risk and demonstrated exploitation of women, minorities and the poor. I guess the parameters of "legalize it" need to be detailed extensively before I could agree. My concerns are that the demographics in the prostitute profession are grossly disproportionate to the general population. Far more women, minorities and "poor" (for lack of a better way to describe the lower portion of an economic based demographic) are driven into this career option than Caucasians and minorities with wealth. If we are keeping a career choice illegal to protect a suspect class from exploitation and abuse, I certainly agree with keeping it illegal. If there is some way to legalize the profession while addressing the economic and racial exploitation, physical abuse, and health concerns, I'd be open to discussing it. I do not know if nations where it is currently legal have the same race based exploitation and limited distribution of wealth that is found in the US. I have never given this much thought. I suppose my concerns can be addressed. I don't think it is as simple as "let a man or woman do what they want in their own bedroom".
Just my two cents.

[GirlinContempt]

42. HAH - Protecting a class by keeping it illegal?

The only way to protect that 'class' of people is to educate them and deal with the grassroots issues that affect them (not to mention eradicate classes, but lets not go there right now). You wanna protect those people? Legalize it, and take the power away from the gangs and the pimps, and address the issues with society that cause exploitation. We KNOW that throwing these people in JAIL does NOTHING to stop, or help, exploited people.

[Shell Beau]

25. My opinion is that

I don't see the point of it being illegal. It doesn't really make sense, but I am glad it is illegal. Like I said it makes no sense to tell someone what to do with their body. If someone wants to pay or get paid for sex, that should be their business. It happens in pornos, etc. But for some reason, I am glad it is illegal. I am thinking with my heart instead of my head, but that is how I feel about it.

[CornField]

26. Legalize it, but deal with the health concerns

There would have to be regulations regarding health - that's the only thing I can see as a community/society issue.

[Yavin4]

27. The Benefits of Legalization

- You'd get rid of the Pimps.

- You'd control the transmission of sexual diseases.

- You could eliminate underage prostitution.

How can I say this? Look at the porn world. In the 60s, porn was just as illegal as prostitution, but after a series of judgements, porn was made legal. By making it legal and legitimate, a mainstream porn business community was created. The adult porn world divorced itself from the kiddie porn world because the big money was in the mainstream business.

Finally, the adult porn world rigorously tests all of their actors in the business for sexual diseases, and although there have been a few breakouts of HIV, the percentage in the adult industry is far, far below the percentage in the non-adult industry, even though there's a lot more sexual activity.

[Shell Beau]

38. I agree it would help with STDs, but

would it really help with underage prostitution? Wouldn't they just find some loophole?

[Yavin4]

43. Again, Just Look At The Porn Industry

When porn became legal, a mainstream business grew into an industry. Producers, performers, distributors, and retailers could all operate out in the open. With the money that could be made with legitimate porn, kiddie porn became a huge pariah. Mainstream porn doesn't want anything to do with it. Mainstream porn rigorously checks the Ids of their talent to ensure that they are of age.

Now, when all porn was illegal, the kiddie porn was sold right along side the adult porn since both forms had to operate underground. When everything is illegal, it's impossible to regulate it. It's impossible to know who is performing in the films and what their ages are.

[Shell Beau]

47. I guess you do have a point!

[mongo]

52. Just a small interjection

into your otherwise very true post.

It is still illegal to sell porn in 40 states. Stores like mine exist only because it is more trouble than it is worth for a county to prosecute - and getting a conviction is a crapshoot. Porn is still illegal to make in 49 states.

There is no prior restraint of free speech in America, so there is no way for them to say, sieze my movies and declare them illegal.

But I can be arrested any day of the week for selling ANY movie in my inventory. I have to go through great expense to defend myself in a court of law, and whether or not a particular movie is obscene, and illegal for me to sell would be decided by a JURY.

It is a maddening, quasi-legal status that only serves as a chilling effect on stores like mine.

[Taverner]

28. Legalize it.

It empowers women, so long as we eliminiate the street pimp and the working girls are independant contractors.

[VelmaD]

35. How exactly?

How does it empower women? What is it about being paid for sex that is empowering exactly?

I'm not arguing one side or the other of legalization. I've just heard this argument one too many times with no sound reasoning to back it up.

[Shell Beau]

39. Exactly. If your doing the deed, you should get to keep all the profit!

[NoSheep]

30. Legalize it.

[arwalden]

31. It Should Be Legal... And We Should Be Given Vouchers.

[Omphaloskepsis]

41. Hooker stamps...

mmm... perfection.

[Old_Fart]

70. .........

:evilgrin:

[amazona]

32. oh the usual -- legal everywhere except in MY neighborhood

If you want it in your neighborhood, I don't have a problem with it.

I think most reasonable people agree that if a man and a woman come to a private agreement that she will be paid for sexual service, it's between them and the IRS. What gets up people's noses about prostitution is when they hang out on the street or have strange cars parked up and down the street or anything else that affects the value of my one and only property, my home. My neighborhood is zoned such that NO small business is legal here if it involves customers coming to the home. Prostitution, selling pot, etcetera shouldn't get a special pass.

If everyone's rights are respected, I don't have a problem with it.

[RedCloud]

36. It isn't the world's oldest profession, you know!

How could the very first hooker get paid if nobody else had any payolah?

I say farmer or hunter and gatherer was first.

Prostitution should only be legal between consenting adults and no faking it please!

[Mutley]

45. Legalize it.

It's so prevalent anyway, it's almost a waste of resources to try and stop it.

[leftofthedial]

46. legal

and regulated

[RPM]

48. It should be legalized

So that corporations run by white men can control it and make more profits.

:eyes:

Seriously - if it is legalized, it should be something prohibited from being engaged in by a body corporate.

General partnerships or sole proprietorships with full personal liability.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

63. Corporations run by white men already control it...

Crime syndicates don't want it legalized or it will cut into their profit.

[Old_Fart]

49. It's been around since Mary Magdalen

It's one job that the Bush administration can't outsource.

[Shell Beau]

50. I am sure they would find a way if they could though!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

57. It was around before her...

and I don't believe she was a hooker anyway.

[Shell Beau]

59. Me either!

[Old_Fart]

67. By me saying Mary Magdalen it puts an era on it (I agree with you)

During the stone age they were trading meat for "it". It won't be going away anytime soon.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

77. LOL

Is that why it's referred to in butcher's terms?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

54. Legalize it for legal adults

and let the Health Department monitor the business.

[Shell Beau]

55. Could the health dept. handle more?

They are already overloaded. I agree that would be the only option, but is it too much?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

64. They'd need to create a new branch...more jobs...

and I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't be too happy about that.

[Shell Beau]

66. More jobs is always good, but honestly, who would want to

work in the prostition (<- for lack of a better word) division? I guess if you really needed a job or were formerly a pimp, you wouldn't mind too much.

[GirlinContempt]

71. Why would

people not want to?

[Shell Beau]

74. Because there is such a stigma attached to that profession.

A lot of people wouldn't agree with legalizing it and a lot of people would be ashamed.

[GirlinContempt]

75. I hear that, but

I think there would still be plenty of people who'd work with them. I mean, health care professionals already do.

[Shell Beau]

76. That is true, and if they were medical professionals I would

hope they would not be judgmental. I just don't see people flocking to take on that job is all I am saying!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

79. I agree...

There are people who voluntarily hand out clean needles to addicts for the same reason...They just care about stopping the spread of disease. Bless their hearts!

[barb162]

58. Fro m the standpoint that it debases women, it should be illegal

[GirlinContempt]

61. Some women.

I think it's more 'debasing' to women that they aren't allowed the choice, and legal protection in that choice.

[barb162]

62. interesting way of looking at it.

[mondo joe]

65. I concur. It debases women to treat them like children or victims

in every instance.

[4_Legs_Good]

69. You know, I think it debases men too, and they have to pay for it

[barb162]

72. I agree it debases men too and they shouldn't pay for it or do it

no demand, no supply

[GoddessOfGuinness]

80. A while ago, I read a letter in an advice column

that was written by a man who had purchased the services of a "professional" for his friend. This friend was a paraplegic, who lived with his fundamentalist parents. He is not exactly what most women would consider a desirable life-partner; and has come to terms with the fact that he will probably spend the rest of his days as a bachelor.

Someone tell me why this man should not be able to enjoy sex just like anyone else...

It seems to me that in this case, the services of a prostitute are precisely what he needs, and would probably make the professional feel good about her job as well.

[barb162]

94. I agree

[mondo joe]

82. Nothing is as debasing as telling people they can't choose for

themselves how to use their own bodies.

[4_Legs_Good]

88. I'd love to know how we could dry up demand!

I don't even think making eunichs of men would do it, though I may be wrong. And "the hand" really only satisfies part of the whole urge and not even for very long.

If the goal of society is to decrease the sex drive of men (and women?) then maybe it'd work.

david

[barb162]

95. I guess I approach it from a completely different standpoint

I can't imagine buying it from someone I just met, like in a figurative meatmarket. Or picking up some guy on a corner and offering him money. I am not saying the goal is to decrease the sex drive, just maybe control it a little, like dieting. It's a drive. It's not like blinking or breathing.

[4_Legs_Good]

98. I can't imagine it either, but I don't think that means that

I should force someone else to not be able to do what they will with their money.

And make no mistake, I'm not disagreeing that it's a meat market of sorts - but some people do eat meat, and as disgusting as that notion is to me, I don't think it's fair for me to force them otherwise.

david

[barb162]

100. good points.

Although I think it should be illegal especially because I think it debases women, it won't be stopped because of illegality. I believe it already is illegal in most states. Prohibition didn't really work and we can't wipe out illegal drugs either. Legislating morality simply doesn't work. But I still would like to see it remain illegal where I live.

[Guy Fawkes]

60. Legal and heavily regulated.

legalizing and regulating prostitution would greatly reduce the spread of STDs, I bet...

[4_Legs_Good]

68. Legal

Why should a person have to be in a relationship in order to have sex? Maybe he/she cannot, or doesn't want to, or lacks people skills, etc. We've built this "sex is between people who love eachother" bologna for so long, forcing it on people who don't believe it. For those who do believe that, absolutely fine! But why should those who don't be forced to the same rule?

The sexual urge in humans is very strong, and if there are those who are willing to offer and those who are willing to pay for whatever reason, I don't think there's anything wrong with it.

david

[KG]

73. Legalize it - don't criticize it

Legalize It
Peter Tosh


Legalize it - don't criticize it
Legalize it and i will advertise it


Some call it tampee
Some call it the weed
Some call it Marijuana
Some of them call it Ganja

Legalize it - don't criticize it
Legalize it and i will advertise it


Singer smoke it
And players of instruments too
Legalize it, yeah, yeah
That's the best thing you can do
Doctors smoke it
Nurses smoke it
Judges smoke it
Even the lawyers too

Legalize it - don't criticize it
Legalize it and i will advertise it


It's good for the flu
It's good for asthma
Good for tuberculosis
Even umara composis

Legalize it - don't criticize it
Legalize it and i will advertise it


Bird eat it
And they leve it
Fowls eat it
Goats love to play with it

[bigwillq]

81. Legal

It should be left up to the individual to decide how they make a living. I am not one to pass judgement on how one keeps food on the table. It's their life. People need to have choices even if there'll be dangers involved. There's dangers in any job, prostitution included.

[freethought]

83. Legalize, regulate, and tax it!

I know it seems kind of unseemly to 'legalize' prostitution, but we would probably be better off. Legalize it and you can eliminate a portion of the crime rate, both 'johns' and solicitaions. Regulate it, health and STD checks, maybe liscencing of some sort, age requirements, whatever. TAX IT! This is obviously something not needed to maintain life and health, maybe some percentage per transaction. I could be wrong but my understanding was that prostitutes don't pay income taxes given it is anonomous cash transaction.

[sasquatch]

84. Legalize it and regulate it

It will be a great way to gather tax money too.

[Nikia]

85. I don't know if this is a value that we should be encouraging

I just don't think that it should become normal for sex to become a commodity, which can be bought and sold. I know that, to some extent, the media and popular culture already encourage this. It just seems to devalue people quite a bit to say: "For $200 (or whatever price) you too can have what you always wanted, sex with a very attractive women. She will have you just because you have the money." Maybe, nothing would change in society and few would visit prostitutes who do not already. Men would not see women as a commodity any more than they do already. Women would not see sex as a job or as something that requires money. I just worry. I don't think that sex should become so unimportant that it is just a business transaction.
I do see some people's point though about those with some disabilities and who are otherwise unlikly to find relationships and sex partners naturually. For most people though, I don't think that buying sex is a positive thing. I don't think that selling sex, especially as a street walker servicing several customers per day, is usually a positive thing either.

[GirlinContempt]

91. Buying or selling sex can be a positive thing.

The important thing to do in these kinds of debates is to separate what you think is right, and what you would do with your body from what you think other people have the legal right to do, safely and securely. Do you feel that you speak for all people? Are you so sure that you're right that you would deny the protection of the law to people who don't agree with you, and basically punish them?

To be clear, I'm not saying that IS how you feel. I'm asking if thats how you feel.

[mondo joe]

101. People are already commodities. We sell our sweat, our intellect, our

talents. Why should this be different?

More importantly, why is it "our" job to decide for other people what they should buy OR sell provided they are not directly harming anyone else in doing so?

[Jamastiene]

86. Legal

So should pot. IMHO...

[trof]

87. Legal

Time to drop the remnants of the Victorian Age.

[MrScorpio]

89. Legal...

Taxed, unionized, zoned, covered under health insurance plans and represented as a constituency by legislature.

The Dutch do it right

[stlsaxman]

90. Legal and SAFE!

Just like abortions...

(somehow saying the two in the same breath seems so.... wrong)

[sundog]

92. one of civilization's oldest professions...it's not going away... legalize

[Bzzzz]

93. Legal...

pot, too.

[roguevalley]

96. Only if you don't mind if your wife, daughter, sister or mother is a

hooker. That is the key for me. For some, if its someone else's daughter-mother-sister-wife, then its a victim-less crime. Who the hell cares about someone else's family members. If you could see your family member making a career choice like that and support it, then yeah, it should be legal.

Or son, uncle, father, brother.

[mondo joe]

102. Why does my sister have to choose that career for it to be legal?

My family wouldn't be farmers either, but I see no need to criminalize that either.

[Elidor]

97. That depends. How much are you willing to pay to love my hot body?

You know you want it. Me ruv yoo rong time, Joe. Five dolla.

[Joey Liberal]

99. Legalize it! n/t

[dxstone]

103. Legal!

It's just sex, between consenting adults...
Either that, or we should criminalize ALL sex, in the interest of democracy...

When Woody Allen was asked, long ago (when he was still sane), if sex was dirty, he replied, "Yeah, if you're doing it right!"
It's sex. Sex is WEIRD. Sex is a MYSTERY. EVERYONE NEEDS IT, or they become very angry, unhappy, unpleasant people, if not outright crazed serial killers or televangelists.
What's the big deal? IT'S JUST SEX.
SHEEEEESH!

Very edifying to see that over 95% of the respondees said "LEGALIZE IT!"
We are some cool customers, ain't we?
d

ps: Ganja too!

[tarkus]

104. Legal, but eliminate the conditions that force people into that position

I am sure some women actually enjoy doing that and would enjoy being able to continue doing it with the safety that a legal occupation can provide. However some only do it because they have no other choice, and simple legalization wouldn't give these people what they need.