Legalize Prostitution?

Emperor Shadow

There are several proponents of legalizing prostitution in the United States. These advocates feel the better treatment of "sex workers" would rise through regulation in terms of humane treatment and medical care. Additionally, the taxation of these industries would finance educational reform, etc.

So says one side, what say you?

Questions for debate:

1.) Should we, as a nation, advance the legalization of prostitution?

2.) If yes, under what conditions?

3.) If no, why not?

REMINDER: Respect your fellow debator. Never engage in personal attacks or belittle their position in this debate. To do so would be a violation of The Rules and your account may be suspended. Being calm and remembering opinions are like lightsabers, everyone has one, gives you a lot of clout around here. Debate the issues, not the character of someone you disagree with.
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The Realist Party. You can't repel appeal of our magnitude.

Darth Suspiria

I believe that prostitution is demeaning to both the prostitute and the person employing the prostitute. We forget sometimes that our emotions and our ability to reason lift us above the level of the animals. We devalue the experience of intimacy when we engage in random sexual activity. But some believe it has a place. I might feel as I have posted, but I also understand that others might not. Prostitution has existed since ancient times, and I do not believe that it is going away.

I believe therefore that like in the Netherlands it should be legalized and regulated. They have 'houses' where prostitutes do business. Diseases could be controlled and the 'workers' not subjected to the whims of violent pimps. It could also be taxed as the Emperor has suggested. I might not like the whole idea as someone who disapproves of prostitution, I think it diminishes dignity and destroys self-respect, but I believe it is the best route to take. That allowing the activity to be controlled by criminals and elements of organized crime is worse.
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Emperor Shadow

Darth Suspria,

I enjoyed your post very much. It brings to light an important social expectation versus human behavior. According to some researchers like Alfred Kinsey, sex is not as intimate as groups (religious and secular) would make it. His thesis rests on the assumption that humans are animals, and animals have recreatioal sex "all the time," so why shouldn't humans?

Now, I will agree that the demeaning nature of prostitution comes into play/conflict with one's personal values. If you believe it is demeaning, then it is likely your opinion will never change. However, there is a market (pardon the term) that believes it to be a healthy, natural part of life. It isn't called "the world's oldest profession" for nothing! Razz

Oh please, never call me Emperor in a debate! I'm Will. Very Happy

There is that middle-ground of the debate. Prostitution is not go away, may as well make it comfortable for everyone. I agree, regulating would better protect the women and men who engage in the sex trade. Human trafficking, violence perpetrated by pimps and johns would decrease, and wider public health would ultimately benefit.
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Today's Evil Overlord Mood/Thought Process of the Day: Gungan opera

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High Commander Vexen

Well...its already legal were I live...so I personally couldn't care about the rest of the country Very Happy

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Darth Suspiria

Thank you Will. That was an excellent post you made. My name is Lin. Please feel free to use it. Kinsey always looks at things from a purely scientific point of view. It doesn't take into account any factors which aren't measurable in the 'life-equations'. (Isn't Kinsey deceased?) Sometimes very good conclusions are drawn. They leave out though what I call the 'human factor.'

Denying that random sexual activity exists does not change the situation. I would prefer to see young women properly cared for and the facilities clean. Also eliminating the criminal element would be good. I don't try to export my morals to others and I don't expect everyone to feel as I do. I am a pragmatist who likes the moderate middle ground. I stray from it once it awhile, but it is the most comfortable place to be. (For me anyways) I will see what statistical research I can locate to add to the debate. Very Happy

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Supreme Commander Alor

High Inquisitor Gra'tua · Sith Marauder Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 1071

I'm going to guess Nevada because that is the only state where it is legal.
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Darth Suspiria

I think I know where he lives. There is only one state I believe where prostitution is legal. Vexen, (You and the Commander can also call me Lin if you wish.) you have a unique position in the debate.

How do they conduct supervising it there? What is the crime rate, etc? I would be interested in hearing your take on things.

For interesting websites on the issue go to http://prostitution.procon.org
or http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6178793.htm The Canadian system is also very different from ours here in the US. http://www.sexwork.com/montreal/law.html I believe that it is good for us to understand that how prostitution is dealt with in the US is not the norm for a large part of the industrialized world.

This last one is very interesting. It is a prostitute's point of view. http://www.bayswan.org/Laura.htm

One site is the basics involving general info, pro and cons, the second involves the Netherlands and Europe, the third our neighbor to the North and the last Nevada from the prostitute's point of view. This should make for well-rounded information and debate.
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High Prophet Crozeus

Lin... that's a great name Very Happy

I'm Ollie.

I believe that the governments should set up the brothels, and have regular inspections. General Montgomery had health checks on prostitutes he employed for his soldiers. Pimping is wrong and should be outlawed, but if a woman wants to be a prostitute, then she should do so cleanly and in a well run establishment. Any clients should also be checked, as STD's are going to fast become big killers.
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Darth Suspiria

I love your name Ollie. I agree with you 100%. Though I have personal feelings on the matter, I believe it is important to put them aside. STD's and we can never forget about the threat of AIDS. Most scientists believe that the eventual mutation to a more virulent form will come from Africa, but there is no absolutes of that and caution on a global scale is important. Regulated, brothels, inspected for cleanliness, prostitutes with adequate health care, etc. I also believe that they should have the right (and they should do so) to turn away a John who appears dirty, etc. I think it is more likely to happen in a supervised enviroment. There is no saying that the John could also not be the disease carrier and probably often is.
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Darth Ultiria · Sith Acolyte Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 143

I think it should be banned. If a woman has to lower herself to that level then she doesn't deserve the money. Get a job, a real one, not selling your body to a load of desperate perverts.

Emperor Shadow

Jerina, prostitution is only demeaning to those who do not engage in it. Those who do, it is simply a job.

If I remember Nevada state statutes, it's only legal OUTSIDE city limits.

Lin, excellent points. It is ultimately about protecting the women and men who choose to engage in the sex industry. Whether or not anyone likes it is another matter, but basic human life should be afforded safety. Government regulation would at least require basic health benefits and it would remove the danger from so-called street walking.
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That, that is, is; that, that is not, is not.

Today's Evil Overlord Mood/Thought Process of the Day: Gungan opera

The Realist Party. You can't repel appeal of our magnitude.

Darth Ultiria · Sith Acolyte Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 143

Well, we can nver really know, can we? Although I persoanlly think (from what I've read) that nearly all prostitutes hate it. They may think of it as a job, but I'd rather work 12 hours a day in a shoe factory than have some sweaty old man push me down.

Darth Suspiria

Thanks Will. And you are right. Prostitution is not legal in Nevada until you are 60 miles outside the city limits of Las Vegas. Prostitution is illegal within the city by ordinance. I have just come off the UN website and I may have some more info later on. Has to be downloaded by PDF and my accelerator isn't responding for some reason. I will download the slow way tonight.

The generation before mine has been the stewards of the planet until now. My generation is beginning to take over and eventually it will be the generation after mine. To be a good steward you must be armed with appropriate information whether it is about global warming or prostitution which could cause a new AIDS outbreak. (or some as yet unknown illness). To be informed, to make wise choices and decide well what path to take is important.
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Emperor Shadow

Jerina, I've read many cases where prostitues enjoy doing what they do and that's why they do it. I will not argue, there is a "forced" component to it where women do it because they have to. But there is always a free will element.

Yes, addressing an earlier question, Kinsey is dead.

AIDS is already upon us. I daresay it is more dangerous in back allies and the back seats of cars than it is in regulated brothels.
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That, that is, is; that, that is not, is not.

Today's Evil Overlord Mood/Thought Process of the Day: Gungan opera

The Realist Party. You can't repel appeal of our magnitude.

Darth Suspiria

Yes Aids is already upon us. The object I think is to make certain it stays out of the regulated brothels if possible. Thank you Will for the Kinsey information.

About 45 miles from where I live is a city with a very large Red light district. It is rampant with violence, crime and drugs. Police resources are used up there. Much of it arresting street walkers and johns. In our resource-limited economy with so many more important issues to deal with wouldn't it be better to regulate? Get rid of a lot of that activity? Put police resources to use where they are really needed? To me it seems like a common sense solution.

There are some women who are brought here from foreign countries to be prostitutes. That is not the norm. That is the result primarily of Asian, and Russian organized crime activities.(The Tong and the Russian Mafia.) Many of them are lied to and are no better than slaves. Most American women who choose prostitution do so willingly.
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High Prophet Crozeus

Really? I think a lot of American women are forced into it through pimping.
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Darth Suspiria

Most American prostitutes choose to be. The problems come after the choice. Once the violent pimp takes over then the situation changes. Those like in Nevada and the escort services often make a great deal of money.

The streetwalkers are usually the type of prostitute who end up the victims of violence. That is why I believe that regulation is a good idea. Eliminate the criminal element.
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Darth Cruiciatus

Emperor, whenever i see you in an out of character setting, I'm calling you "Free Willie".

Now, Free Willie, I think it should be legalized in the regulated brothels with checkups and such performed regularly. Condoms should be used every time. That would reduce the possibility of an outbreak of AIDS or other STD's. Thank you for reading, Free Willie. Laughing

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High Commander Vexen

Darth Suspiria

Thanks Steven. I'm Lin. So it is legal within other city limits. That is curious to me but there must be reasons. The Russian mob has become pretty big. It is strange though that people can go to legal prostitutes yet still go to those associated with the mob.

Ollie how is it handled in Great Britain?
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High Prophet Crozeus

As usual, the law is ridiculous. Prostitution itself, whether on the streets or in brothels, is legal. "Massage Parlours" i.e. non-licensed brothels, aren't. Curb-crawling is illegal, but fixed red-light districts aren't. Pimping is impossible to track, as the Met can't be bothered. I don't really experience it much as I live in London, but in places like Liverpool and Sheffield it is rife.
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Darth Suspiria

Sounds confusing Ollie. Is there a criminal element as there is here? England doesn't really have organized crime like the US right?
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High Prophet Crozeus

Oh, it does. It is very confusing. Basically, only go to a licensed brothel in a licensed district, and you won't be breaking the law.
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Darth Suspiria

I will never understand why people would choose to go to an illegal unregulated place for sex when you can go to a regulated brothel where there is cleanliness and it is disease-free. Sometimes I think people like the element of seediness, danger, taking a risk. Am I wrong?

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