Poll: Prostitution

[WilliamWhite1]

The real question here is whether or not it would become some insane outbreak like in the twentieth century prohibition era. Think about it; we've had illegal prostitution here for a while, and it's somehow still occurring everywhere. Why? Because where there's a will, there's a way. When they banned alcohol, more people got drunk and smuggled alcohol in. As soon as they lifted the ban, everybody chilled.

Will that happen again? Possibly. But how can we be sure?

 

[cicaba]

Anyone with the slightest bit of sense will tell you that's wrong. Morals are universal standards everyone should be held to, regardless of situation, religion, or upbringing. The stupids of the universe pervert them into supporting their cause, which is why there's so many "morals" that disagree with each other.

You think morals are universal? How?

Was this a joke? It didn't sound like it.

 

[BonsaiK]

I approve of prostitution. That is all.

 

[Doug]

Legalize it like they do in Holland and Las Vegas. Just get them to stay off the streets. The pimps can't get business for 'their' ladies anymore (Bo-fucking-boo to the sick bastards), so go out of business - the bothels can be held to a minimum basic standard (checks for STDs, consentual checks, etc), and can be inspected. Hookers can paid taxes from a legal profession, and because of the security offered by a bothel (most of whom do employ brick-shithouse built security guards), prosistues are less likely to get raped.

All in all, it just generally makes things better if you decriminalise prosistuation, and will probably allow the police to find the Pimps and horse-whip their arses into jail more easily.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

Prostitution is illegal because like pot, it cant be taxed

If they were legalized they could.

 

[Maze1125]

Because the significant majority of woman who are prostitutes, even of their own choice, don't want to be and only do it because they feel they aren't worthy of doing anything else.

Pretty much any time a man visits a prostitute he is exploiting a psychologically vulnerable person. There are of course exceptions, but not enough to validate legalising it.

You contradict yourself. If the woman is a prostitute of their own choice, they want to be one, one comes from the definition of the other.

Oh bollocks.
Even if that's technically true by the defintions (which it isn't). It still doesn't effect the point I'm making.

They don't want to do it, they only do it because they feel they have to.
If someone came into your house with a gun and said "Break this kitten's neck or I'll kill your family.", you'd do it, but you (I hope) sure as hell wouldn't want to.

Who the hell are you to deny them that?

I'm not denying them that, they can sell sex perfectly legally, I also agree with the concept of regulation and free STD checks for them.

The only people that would be doing anything illegal would be their clients.

And on a quasi-related note, how the hell do you know this? Do you have regular interaction with prostitutes, or anyone else directly involved in that side of the business?

Yes, that is the only way I could possibly know any of this.
It certainly not like anyone has ever done studies on the subject or written books about it...

 

[cicaba]

Nothing morally wrong with it in my utilitarianistic eyes.

Won't legalising it make the pimping situation worse? (Easier to do, less legal issues)
Am I missing something?

Yes, you are missing 'regulation'.

My bad ^^
You mean, people know who's a prostitute and who isn't? So if people are a prostitute but they aren't known about they could be being organised by a pimp and this would be illegal?

 

[Booze Zombie]

Legalizing prostitution would indeed help a lot of people. The prostitutes would have to be willing, they'd probably require mandatory STD checks and papers certifying them safe to "service" customers and they'd be able to call for police assistance without fear of being arrested.

I'm not seeing any negatives from legalizing it.

 

[cicaba]

Nothing morally wrong with it in my utilitarianistic eyes.

Won't legalising it make the pimping situation worse? (Easier to do, less legal issues)
Am I missing something?

State-sanctioned "houses" for prostitution where women operate of their own volition.

No pimps.

Well...

...

I guess that means the State is the pimp, but we're really nice pimps.

Okay ! Sounds better to me.

 

[Agayek]

You think morals are universal? How?

Was this a joke? It didn't sound like it.

I am 100% sure there is universal moral law. People interpret differently to suit their purposes, ultimately perverting the whole thing.

There's been a whole big ethical research and whatnot done over the years, and the philosophers have come to the conclusion that it does indeed exist, though no one can agree on what it is exactly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant - The only name I remember from the study I did on this a while back.

 

[Maze1125]

So no, being a prostitute shouldn't be illegal.
On the other hand, visiting a prostitute, or being a pimp, should be.

Why? They have a service they want to sell, why make it illegal when no one involved is unwilling?

Because the significant majority of woman who are prostitutes, even of their own choice, don't want to be and only do it because they feel they aren't worthy of doing anything else.

Pretty much any time a man visits a prostitute he is exploiting a psychologically vulnerable person. There are of course exceptions, but not enough to validate legalising it.

This is called 'stereotyping' boys and girls.

As a friend of a famous prostitute/porn star who went to college and majored in marine biology, I can say this is bunk.

No, it's called statistics.
It would be stereotyping if I went up to a particular prostitute and insisted she didn't like what she was doing and was only doing it because she felt she had to.

 

[Bowl Full]

Let's say, in this case, she isn't a prostitute but she dresses like one. It would offend her greatly if someone stopped their car, waved money at her, and asked her to get in. I bet she'd sue or something.

People should go out of their way to not offend other people, regardless of how easily offended they are? Isn't it somewhat to do with the person taking offence? This sounds too much like political correctness logic to me.

It's hard not to offend EVERYONE but mostly it can be avoided by not being a douche bag. ;
Everyone just needs to learn tolerance.
Besides, don't people normally go by the standards of political correctness? Like how to say someone is mentally retarded, black, disabled, a whore/prostitute, or a dwarf. You can't make fun of them because it's not nice and not politically correct.

 

[Maze1125]

There's been a whole big ethical research and whatnot done over the years, and the philosophers have come to the conclusion that it does indeed exist, though no one can agree on what it is exactly.

Except, not.
The majority, by far, of modern philosophers agree that morality is subjective.

 

[ExodusinFlames]

It should be legalized, regulated, and taxed. Plain and simple.
While not an essential it can have its uses. Sure they may be lecherous means.
But here's the way to look at it. If someone wants something, in this case we'll say sex, they'll first go to their other half, failing that, they'll go to exes or what not, THEN prostitutes, and failing that availability, it could become more dangerous. Rather that asking, propositioning or buying it outright, someone who wants it may be tempted to take it by force and then we enter into a whole new realm of troubles.

I'm not saying street walking is a good idea, but brothels on the other hand would work phenominally.

 

[veloper]

1. Every city has brothels and anyone can find a prostitute if they wanted to.
2. Prostitution is still illegal all over the world, minus a few small enlightnened parts.

So it's illegal, accessible and unstoppable. In a situation like this, there are only losers.

Legalize it and you can regulate some and make tax money. It's also very useful to have prostitutes who can talk to the police without fear.

 

[cicaba]

Because the significant majority of woman who are prostitutes, even of their own choice, don't want to be and only do it because they feel they aren't worthy of doing anything else.

Pretty much any time a man visits a prostitute he is exploiting a psychologically vulnerable person. There are of course exceptions, but not enough to validate legalising it.

Protecting people from other people is kinda easy, protecting people from themselves sounds really difficult and I'd be too afraid of crossing over boundaries.
Boundaries like the idea that people should be able to do what they want to themselves, I just don't feel like my IDEA of what's right and wrong should really be enough to control other people with regards to THEMSELVES like that.

 

[Cliff_m85]

So no, being a prostitute shouldn't be illegal.
On the other hand, visiting a prostitute, or being a pimp, should be.

Why? They have a service they want to sell, why make it illegal when no one involved is unwilling?

Because the significant majority of woman who are prostitutes, even of their own choice, don't want to be and only do it because they feel they aren't worthy of doing anything else.

Pretty much any time a man visits a prostitute he is exploiting a psychologically vulnerable person. There are of course exceptions, but not enough to validate legalising it.

This is called 'stereotyping' boys and girls.

As a friend of a famous prostitute/porn star who went to college and majored in marine biology, I can say this is bunk.

No, it's called statistics.
It would be stereotyping if I went up to a particular prostitute and insisted she didn't like what she was doing and was only doing it because she felt she had to.

Oh, I see. Well then I guess it's ok to say "Because the significant majority of black people like chicken" because I'm not saying it about a particular person?

 

[bjj hero]

I have to pay my taxes, hoes should pay up too.

People saying it cant be taxed should think of it like construction contractors. They pay taxes on most of there work but on weekends/evenings will do a job cheaper for friends if its cash in hand.

While it stays illegal most of them will claim benefits on the side.

 

[Agayek]

Oh bollocks.
Even if that's technically true by the defintions (which it isn't). It still doesn't effect the point I'm making.

They don't want to do it, they only do it because they feel they have to.
If someone came into your house with a gun and said "Break this kitten's neck or I'll kill your family.", you'd do it, but you (I hope) sure as hell wouldn't want to.

You're right. I wouldn't want to. Nor would I do it. I'd take the guy's gun and beat him to death.

That said, we'll move the rest of my counter to this a paragraph or two down.

I'm not denying them that, they can sell sex perfectly legally, I also agree with the concept of regulation and free STD checks for them.

The only people that would be doing anything illegal would be their clients.

Making it illegal for clients to visit them does the exact same thing as making prostitution illegal. They'll have to go underground to actually sell sex, because their clients won't get caught and it will be no different than it is now. You are denying the women their freedom to sell their services.

Yes, that is the only way I could possibly know any of this.
It certainly not like anyone has ever done studies on the subject or written books about it...

Actually, it is. Taking anything that you do not experience first hand on faith is a rather tricky proposition at best. Granted, if it's a reputable source, it's probably true. Seeing as I have no personal experience with them, I couldn't say. All I will say is that you are making assumptions and assigning stereotypes based on something you've never been a part of.

Also, it really doesn't matter if they don't feel they could do anything else. They chose to try and sell their bodies. Why do you have the right to sit around on your moral high horse? You don't agree with it, therefore it must be banned is the logic of your argument. It makes no sense and restricts freedom.

There's been a whole big ethical research and whatnot done over the years, and the philosophers have come to the conclusion that it does indeed exist, though no one can agree on what it is exactly.

Except, not.
The majority, by far, of modern philosophers agree that morality is subjective.

Eh, fair 'nuff. Toss me a link or source and we'll see where it goes.

In my experience though, morality is universal, and there's only the one basic rule behind it, that of the law of equal freedom.