Should prostitution be legalized?

I just think that it is hypocritical to argue that a woman can choose what to do with her body in the case of abortion and then argue that she can't do what she wants with her body in the case of prostitution.

choice is choice

Viktyr Korimir said:

That is borne of the thinking that prostitution engenders. It is borne of the idea that a man is entitled to sexual favors, that other people exist to provide those favors. When you reduce sexuality to market exchange, it becomes subject to the rules of the market. When it is a thing to be bought and sold, people believe that they can buy it-- whether it's for sale or not.

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I hate to sound like an ultra-cynic, but most things get reduced to market exchange. For instance, the major reason for divorce is because of financial pressures, and adoption agencies won't give children to poor couples.

This is one of those issues where I have to separate my religious values from my political ideals. I know that prostitution is damning. I know that people that participate in this activity are putting the future of their soles in jeopardy. I don't know their relationship with God, so I can't know their ultimate fate.

I do list myself as "Very Conservative" but I also have Libertarian leanings but all of that falls under the umbrella of the Constitution. So, my opinion on prostitution is this: The Constitution does not give the Federal Government to regulate or legislate how one uses one's body. Whether you want to be a body builder in the best possible physical shape or a complete sloth that is ready to commit suicide because your peanut butter isn't chunky, The Federal Government has no power to make those decisions for you. That includes prostitution.

Since the Federal Government isn't responsible for regulating or legislating prostitution, that leaves the right (if you can call it that?) to have sex for compensation up to the individual and the states. Unless one can prove that having sex for compensation is a natural right, I don't see why the states can't regulate and legislate prostitution as they see fit.

42 percent said NO... Can't believe there are so many prudes this day and age.

ricksfolly

Resist the gov. said:

I say yes, If women want to sell there bodies let them, it shouldn't be the governments job to tell them no.

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Why do you act like only women do it?

Chappy said:

Making it illegal just assures that women will be victimized; it is better to regulate it, establish standards and protections.

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I agree with this statement. I used to live in Germany, and prostitution is legal there. I think legalization helps to protect the prostitutes and keeps std/i rates low. You also don't want the industry exploiting children, and legalization definately helps prevent that. Everybody knows where the protitution is, where the people go to buy sex... the red light districts, cops drive down there to patrol.

And pimps can be brutal to women and children, beat them and force them to prostitute... make it legal, keep people safe, and help people get out when they want to.

Viktyr Korimir said:

The existence of prostitution assures that women-- and men, and children-- will be victimized. Society's response should be to ensure that there is as little prostitution as possible.

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Keeping it illegal isn't going to fix the problem.

I don't think prostitution is a job somebody choices, somebody wants... Making it illegal won't make them stop or get them out, especially if they want out and are forced to stay by a pimp. Regulating the pimp is better than not regulating him, but community outreach and actually doing something about the exploitation of children and women and paving a path to social advancement is more likely to fix the problem you're complaining about.

If prostitution is legalized would cities have the right to ban brothels and streetwalkers within city limits?

X Factor said:

Once again, the "people will do it any way" justification is no justification at all. People will commit all crimes regardless of their legality, so, by your logic, everything should be legal.

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You are right... why don't we just make alcohol and tobacco illegal again? I mean, those are also victimless crimes too...

The only thing illegality changes is that doing it is supposed to bring punishment, and the threat of punishment is supposed to prevent the crime from happening. There are dozens of prostitutes on the street tonight, selling their bodies... why aren't they all sitting in jail instead? It seems your stance is as practical and effective as the war on drugs. I am not convinced that you are offering an actual solution that is good for or benefits the rest of society...

Jetboogieman said:

I think it should be for the protection of the woman.

But one thing that has troubled me. Is if it becomes like a "guys night out thing".

5PM Hit the bar
9PM Hit the club
1:00AM hit the whorehouse...

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I agree that is disturbing... When I lived in Germany the boys did that when they were old enough. I think it's like going to strip club, they are just curious and want to see what it's like to walk down the red light district. Most of them don't mess around the prostitutes, but would go to the brothels and party with them. I admit I even went a few times, just to see for myself... lol

I never went into a brothel or talked to a prostitute though...

X Factor said:

Criminal laws are all enforcing morality to some extent.

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Is drinking, smoking, gambling, and adultery considered moral... lol... because those are legal.

SheWolf said:

I don't think prostitution is a job somebody choices, somebody wants... Making it illegal won't make them stop or get them out, especially if they want out and are forced to stay by a pimp. Regulating the pimp is better than not regulating him, but community outreach and actually doing something about the exploitation of children and women and paving a path to social advancement is more likely to fix the problem you're complaining about.

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Yes, I agree with this. Keeping prostitution illegal is about keeping the customers out of the game. Helping the prostitutes-- especially the ones who didn't have a choice-- is a matter for social work.

But that social work will never develop if prostitution is legalized and treated like anything but a social disease that needs to be eradicated.

Your Star said:

Well you could suggest that one of his mates would rather be crushed, then crush someone else

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I don't understand this conversation... lol

It should be legal. The government should not be involved in morals.

Viktyr Korimir said:

Yes, I agree with this. Keeping prostitution illegal is about keeping the customers out of the game. Helping the prostitutes-- especially the ones who didn't have a choice-- is a matter for social work.

But that social work will never develop if prostitution is legalized and treated like anything but a social disease that needs to be eradicated.

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I disagree... As long as people continue to misunderstand prostitution and think locking them up in jail or prison for their "crimes" is some kind of solution... it's just going to be a social disease without a cure. It needs to be understood before anything can really be done, and part of understanding entails society expecting prostitutes be treated like human beings by everybody... their customers, their pimps, and the rest of society. Give them rights and help them protect themselves.. don't tie their hands

SheWolf said:

Why do you act like only women do it?

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(making an assumption based on my limited knowledge and specifically on what is relatively commonly known)

Its not ONLY women but the great majority of male prostitutes are involved in homosexual prostitution. the reality is that most women could walk into a club, announce her intention to have sex, and she would have guys lining up vying for the honor whereas men spend hours and mucho dinero trying to get laid. Thats just a reality.

VanceMack said:

(making an assumption based on my limited knowledge and specifically on what is relatively commonly known)

Its not ONLY women but the great majority of male prostitutes are involved in homosexual prostitution. the reality is that most women could walk into a club, announce her intention to have sex, and she would have guys lining up vying for the honor whereas men spend hours and mucho dinero trying to get laid. Thats just a reality.

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But doesn't the reality of gay male prostitution kind of defeat the myth that guys would jump on the chance to f anything for free? Why would one guy have to pay another guy... they both have the same goods, and want what the other has... lol

SheWolf said:

But doesn't the reality of gay male prostitution kind of defeat the myth that guys would jump on the chance to f anything for free? Why would one guy have to pay another guy... they both have the same goods, and want what the other has... lol

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To be honest and fair, prostitution is more than just "pure sex." This is especially the case with regards to gay prostitution, apparently.

Rep. Barnie Frank, for example, hired a gay prostitute not just for sex but also for companionship in the early-mid '80's. Apparently, this was quite common for gay men to do, mostly do to the stigma of homosexuality back then. Many gay men wanted male companionship, sometimes sexual, sometimes intimate, sometimes both, but also required discretion. Gay prostitutes was the way to do this.

Also, not too long back, it wasn't uncommon for a father (or sometimes a mother) to hire a prostitute for a son who was socially awkward in attracting and courting women. They would hire a prostitute for a young man to "show him the ropes" and teach him things about sex that wouldn't have been proper for them to be taught in a classroom. This was also done to give the young man a sense of confidence in his sexuality that he could then use to attract other women.

So one reason why people look for the services of prostitutes at all is to address sexual needs that they would be embarrassed to approach others about. For some, this could be homosexuality if they are in the closet, or for others certain fetishes that they are ashamed to approach their intimate partners about for whatever reason.

So there's actually a lot of reasons why people hire prostitutes, ranging from companionship to exploring their sexuality to just having their sexual needs met.

SheWolf said:

But doesn't the reality of gay male prostitution kind of defeat the myth that guys would jump on the chance to f anything for free? Why would one guy have to pay another guy... they both have the same goods, and want what the other has... lol

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I cant answer why anyone would pay ANYONE for sex-never been my thing...but if Im guessing the reason male prostitutes are as prevalent as they are in the great grand scheme of things is that there are enough men that live in heterosexual relationships that like to take the occasional walk on the wild side, quick and anonymous-like. I dont think men would do ANYTHING that moves...but I have seen more than a few guys get caught in the walk of shame sneaking some last minute pick-up out of a dorm room. I never understood it myself...If you are that desperate...buy a Playboy and a bottle of lotion. A lot cheaper, a lot safer...

VanceMack said:

I cant answer why anyone would pay ANYONE for sex-never been my thing...but if Im guessing the reason male prostitutes are as prevalent as they are in the great grand scheme of things is that there are enough men that live in heterosexual relationships that like to take the occasional walk on the wild side, quick and anonymous-like. I dont think men would do ANYTHING that moves...but I have seen more than a few guys get caught in the walk of shame sneaking some last minute pick-up out of a dorm room. I never understood it myself...If you are that desperate...buy a Playboy and a bottle of lotion. A lot cheaper, a lot safer...

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LOL.. that made me laugh so much

I voted legalize it.

It wouldnt make ME happy but I cant really come up with that good of a reason not too, of course there are some but I can defeat them all in my head.

Just seems wrong for it not to be illegal.
I mean I can go next door and charge money to paint the fence, dig a hole, lay cement, pose nude, give a massage etc etc and all that is fine. But sex would be wrong? Doesnt really seem to make any sense at all when you think about it. BUT if I go next door I can GIVE all the sex away I want FREE?

again, its not that im a fan of it but I cant see why its fair or right to have it illegal?

Of course I would want it regulated like hell to make it more safe. Take the taxes and put into health care and education.

Dirty Harry said:

If prostitution is legalized would cities have the right to ban brothels and streetwalkers within city limits?

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Likely, "streetwalkers" would likely remain illegal all-together.

SheWolf said:

I agree with this statement. I used to live in Germany, and prostitution is legal there. I think legalization helps to protect the prostitutes and keeps std/i rates low. You also don't want the industry exploiting children, and legalization definately helps prevent that. Everybody knows where the protitution is, where the people go to buy sex... the red light districts, cops drive down there to patrol.

And pimps can be brutal to women and children, beat them and force them to prostitute... make it legal, keep people safe, and help people get out when they want to.

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At one time prostitution was legal in the US. Then women in developing cities convinced their husbands that it was bad influence for the children, the world's oldest profession went underground, and rape and abuse ran rampant.

When I was a kid, sex and porn was the only thing boys thought of, but rarely did mom or dad know about it... Either that or they were too wrapped up in their own sexual frustrations to acknowledge it...

ricksfolly

samsmart said:

So there's actually a lot of reasons why people hire prostitutes, ranging from companionship to exploring their sexuality to just having their sexual needs met.

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It's essential that a young man try every form of sex, every form of gambling, every form of business, and every form of philosophy. If he doesn't, he will grow old wondering about, or regretting all the things he missed.

Been there, done all of that and then some, and have no regrets...

ricksfolly

SheWolf said:

But doesn't the reality of gay male prostitution kind of defeat the myth that guys would jump on the chance to f anything for free? Why would one guy have to pay another guy... they both have the same goods, and want what the other has... lol

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fat ugly homos need lovin too. and some men don't want others to know they have gay desires, hence the market for gay prostitutes.