Prostitution: immoral or in demand

[ramboondiea]

I say legalize and regulate it everywhere... and prosecute anyone who tries to force or coerce people into it... the immoral bit isn't the prostitution itself... it's the "pimping". This is one case where carefully regulated big business would be an improvement.

...also, any advertising of it in the UK is illegal? Even the kind of advertisement one has to go looking for specifically (like erotic personals on a website like craigslist)?
That just strikes me as a little silly...

the law as it stands says that advertising for sex is illegal, should it be discovered and traced then yes that will be illegal, but to my knowledge there has been no case involving internet advertisements that has made it to the courts so this is a little more unclear.
but the law is targeting phone-booth cards, leaflets, and beckoning

 

[Veldel]

If it's a personal choice, not forced, it's fine. It should be legitimized as a business mostly because that way, they can get health check ups without lying and get them more often.

It's one of the oldest jobs in the world and let's be honest, sometimes they're more available.

This i mean really

 

[SanguineSymphony]

I don't know about morality but I wouldn't want to be in a relationship with a woman who has been or was a prostitute.

I don't feel it should be illegal but I don't feel drugs should be either and I choose not to associate with junkies.

 

[JediMB]

As long as it's between two consenting adults, etc., etc.

Prostitution is basically part of regular relationships anyway, although that might be a bit of a cynical way to look at it.

 

[darth.pixie]

If it's a personal choice, not forced, it's fine. It should be legitimized as a business mostly because that way, they can get health check ups without lying and get them more often.

It's one of the oldest jobs in the world and let's be honest, sometimes they're more available.

This i mean really

Ah...why, exactly?

 

[ramboondiea]

Asking whether prostitution's "immoral or in demand" is a false dichotomy, like asking whether fruit is red or crunchy.

the question comes from a chapter title in one of my books, and it was meant as a comparative,the chapter talks about were this immoral act is what entices people or was there a demand and this is why there are prostitutes, it was not meant as an actually question so sorry bout that,
also thanks for that link, i can probably use that in this assignment

 

[mireko]

If it's a personal choice, not forced, it's fine. It should be legitimized as a business mostly because that way, they can get health check ups without lying and get them more often.

It's one of the oldest jobs in the world and let's be honest, sometimes they're more available.

^^^Pretty much this. Pimps still need to be jailed and burned alive though, if only for their contributions to fashion.

 

[demoman_chaos]

Selling is legal, sex is legal, selling sex is illegal. It is illegal for the same reason weed is, it can't be effectively taxed and controlled by the government. It was made illegal under the ruse of morality by the same governments who have done some very immoral things (like the US which sent all Japanese-Americans into detention camps in the 1940's just because they or their parents were born in Japan).

 

[James_K]

[comment removed]

 

[Wolfram23]

Well first off I've never been with or known a prostitute or anything related.

That said, I think prostitution as a "career" is ok. But unfortunately, as I've heard anyway, most prostitutes are forced into the trade and have "pimps" who take most of the cash and are also often forced to do hard drugs and get addicted to them. That is all very very bad/evil stuff.

But let's say you go to a strip club and offer to take the stripper home for $xxx(x?) amount and she agrees... that seems ok to me. But I don't think working the streets is a decent business at all.

you know thats a false figure, from the number of studies taken into prostitution it would appear that those forced into it due to drugs is actually the minority, and the majority do it due to the economic climate, or just to earn a living and have little to no involvement in drugs
infact pimps are more prevalent in 'mini-brothels' then street sex-workers.

Hmm well that is interesting. But keep in mind you did want "public opinion" and what I said is pretty much what I've been preached about/seen in movies. I'm sure most people don't go looking for data and studies on prostitution.

 

[ramboondiea]

Well first off I've never been with or known a prostitute or anything related.

That said, I think prostitution as a "career" is ok. But unfortunately, as I've heard anyway, most prostitutes are forced into the trade and have "pimps" who take most of the cash and are also often forced to do hard drugs and get addicted to them. That is all very very bad/evil stuff.

But let's say you go to a strip club and offer to take the stripper home for $xxx(x?) amount and she agrees... that seems ok to me. But I don't think working the streets is a decent business at all.

you know thats a false figure, from the number of studies taken into prostitution it would appear that those forced into it due to drugs is actually the minority, and the majority do it due to the economic climate, or just to earn a living and have little to no involvement in drugs
infact pimps are more prevalent in 'mini-brothels' then street sex-workers.

Hmm well that is interesting. But keep in mind you did want "public opinion" and what I said is pretty much what I've been preached about/seen in movies. I'm sure most people don't go looking for data and studies on prostitution.

oh yeah i wasn't pointing out you were wrong or anything, i wanted what the general public wanted. until i was on this course i assumed the same so i was just putting forward some figures because im curious if this changes your standing like it did to mine?

 

[Canid117]

I've personally never seen why it's illegal to pay money for something that it's perfectly legal to give away from free. I'm fairly sure legalising and regulating it would solve many of the problems associated with it in the first place.

The laws banning prostitution were put there a long time ago when everyone who made laws was considerably more conservative than they are now. Any sex where procreation was not the main goal was EVIL and had to be stopped! While sex is far less demonized now, prostitution still has a stigma to it that never went away.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I dont see whats wrong with its something you get into willingly (I know, unlikely, just saying).

Its the world's oldest profession, and no matter the opinions or laws you ownt really stop it.

EDIT:
besides, stripping and going into the personal room with a stripper (the escort kinda stuff) is legal, so why shouldnt this be?

 

[KiKiweaky]

One of the oldest professions on the planet and its still going strong, clearly its in high demmand.The phrase 'sex sells' hasnt been coined for no reason.

I don't really disagree with it, more what it's done for (drugs/the person has been forced/or doesnt have any other options) I feel sorry for people like that. People who take it up a profession when it is their own choice is fair enough, guess they just like it. Don't think I'd avail of any of their services as I'd be terrified plus I wouldnt want it to become a habit either.

 

[Sim4500]

I live in a country where prostitution is legal (Germany) and have had sex with prostitutes before and plan to do it again in the future. ( maybe even this week. Haven't had it in a while )
The following is based on my own experience and on reading a message board about prostitution in my city (The board is run by customers for customers, but a few working girls and brothel operators are registered, too)

Prostitution will always be there, no matter what the law says. Even in very repressive muslim countries it's easy to find prostitutes if you know where to look.
It's like alcohol or other drugs. Prohibition doesn't make the good in question disappear from the market. It only turns the people involved into criminals and grants criminal organization a virtual monopoly.

There is nothing wrong with the exchange of money for sexual services. What's wrong is the involvement of organized crime and pimps.
If you want to protect women from exploitation, then you have to fight organized crime, not prostitution itself.
Organized crime is rampant in all industrialized countries and yet it's rarely spoken about. THAT is the issue.

 

[Crimsane]

An nice escort in Chicago probably saved my (or someone else's) life. Was having an extremely stressful period with a lot of pent-up frustration, and the release she provided really helped me feel better and overcome. That wording sounds like the leadup to a joke. Hmm... pass. Anyway, yeah. Instead of breaking down and hurting someone, I had sex with no strings attached and gained some mental and emotional clarity.

Haven't needed to use an escort since, but I'm not opposed to the idea.

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

Should be legalized, but heavily regulated.

Like STD tests after ever severice, etc.

 

[lee1287]

hey escapist just a little question,

im in the middle of a assignment on prostitution for my university course, and all my readings on theories talk heavily of public perceptions, decisions, and opinions as a bases of a lot of arguments.

so i thought id take a little consensus of what your opinion on prostitution is and how you think it should be dealt with.

so my questions are;what are your feelings on prostitution?. why do you think people become prostitutes?. id you think there should be harsher punishments in place? should it be legitimised as a business opposition. what your opinion on managed and tolerance zones?

also a little side note, here in the UK, prostitution is technically not illegal, just the things associated with it.

What? Paying for sex is ILLEGAL. Isnt it? You can call it "Escorting" or "Massage parlour" But that is illegal....

OP; If you want to pay for sexy time, go ahead, i wont stop you. I'd do it if i saw a realllllly beautiful women.

 

[Verlander]

Sex slavery=bad

Sex working=fine, potentially liberating

Unfortunately, it's hard to legislate, so it's generally banned on grounds of safety etc. Which doesn't necessarily work