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Should prostitution be illegal?

I feel that our society's disdain of prostitution is derived from irrational religious morality so I'm curious to learn what you heavens think about this topic.

Here's what I think-
The exchange of sexual services for money between consenting adults is not immoral and should not be illegal. Porn actors are paid to have sex and that is legal but if a sex worker is paid to have sex he/she has committed a crime. How does that make sense?

Legal prostitution is safer/healthier because it can be regulated and is not pushed into back alleys and seedy places. Currently, prostitutes work under the thumb of often brutal and manipulative pimps who take advantage of them. They can not go to the police for help so they must rely on a pimp for protection. If it were legal, they would work in regulated brothels and would be protected by the law rather than persecuted by it. They would also be tested regularly for std's which would help control the spread of disease.

Regardless of how you feel about prostitution personally, the freedom of others to make their own life decisions should not be infringed upon if those choices do not cause harm to others.

Prostitution is as old as civilization itself. People always have and always will exchange things for sexually services and attempting to end it is folly. The prohibition of it causes much more harm than prostitution itself.

Prostitution prohibition is a result of a paranoid society sexually repressed by irrational religious beliefs. I see no detriment to allowing prostitution to operate freely and in fact I think it can be beneficial for people to have the choice of gaining sexual release without a need for commitment to a relationship. There have been lots of societies throughout history that allowed and even encouraged it without issue.

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RoboGraham 8 Dec 30
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114 comments (26 - 50)

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6

When you realize how much religion corrupted our view of sex it's just mindblowing. Many countries have already legalized it and gained notable income because of it, while providing a safer, healthier environment for sex workers.

SamL Level 7 Dec 31, 2017

@TheMiddleWay I disagree with Wiki. There are plenty of religious and secular accounts that say different. I'm not going to bother to cite them. They're just too numerous.

@TheMiddleWay You win. You're right. I'm too lazy and busy with other things to argue with you.

3

There seems to be an opinion that the only ones or at least the vast majority of people that would become prostitutes are "damaged" people who have suffered some sort of abuse or that they are victims of human trafficking and have no choice.
Have you looked at the majority of dating sites lately?
They are SMOTHERED with women looking for "sugar daddies". There are even sites DEDICATED to women looking to trade "companionship" in exchange for help with their college bills. And that isn't even including ESCORT sites.

Decriminalize it.
Buyer beware.

5

I have no problem with legalizing it, but there is still the problem with "Human trafficking". So there would still have to be laws protecting sex workers and children.

That's where the regulating would come in. We already have child protection laws. Legalizing prostitution shouldn't affect those. New laws of course, to protect the workers.

7

As odd as it may sound, I think having legal regulated prostitution would be very healthy for a society. We all know what can happen when sexuality is suppressed (Catholic and Orthodox priests), and not everyone has someone with whom he or she can get some. I talked to my friend from Italy, to them sex is as natural as eating and breathing. There are MANY individuals who would benefit from some fun in the sack =D

That doesn't sound the least bit odd.

In fact it sounds pretty healthy and rational.

2

Prostitution IS by far the Oldest Profession in Human History, it's a historical FACT that innumerable Brothels in Rome for Centuries were OWNED and Operated by Cardinals, etc, etc, and frequented by others INCLUDING Popes themselves YET the Catholic Church in its High and Mighty Self-Righteousness frowns upon Prostitution even to this day. Bigotry is very much alive and thriving in religions, especially Catholicism.
YES, legalise Prostitution, monitor it, regulate it and eradicate ALL stigma and the filthy, parasitic Pimps associated with it.

6

I think the safest thing to do is to legalize it and regulate it. Put in into houses, make sure the sex workers get regular checkups, have the right to call police in case of someone getting dangerous, etc. If someone freely chooses that occupation, it is their business. I don't understand it, I could never do it .... but if someone wants to do that, fine. Make it safer. It maybe would cut down on a lot of the trafficking - forcing children or vulnerable adults to do this. Get the pimps out of the equation.

SKH78 Level 8 Jan 1, 2018
2

I have heard - I don't know this, but have heard - that Criminal Sexual Conduct goes down in states and countries where prostitution is legal. Do some research, anyone?

SKH78 Level 8 Jan 1, 2018
2

And so I will go boldly and just speak from my heart here. I don't like the idea that if a single mom needs a job, suddenly sucking dick is an acceptable option to pay the bills. Prostitution is old, and so is abusing women. I wonder myself how it affects women who work as prostitutes mentally. I really don't know, is it actually good for them? Sex is a sensitive thing and what she likes matters too. Notice most of us think of female prostitutes when we think of prostitutes, unless you think of men prostituting themselves for other men. This isn't because women don't have sex drives or enjoy sex. Women have been given neurosis for a long time that entraps them in regards to sex, you are a slut or you are frigid. The sex entertainment industry caters to men generally speaking and aims it more as a sport than an interaction between two human beings with mutual wants and needs. Personally, I feel like being that close with someone requires trust and the persons involved caring for each other. Now, do I think that throwing prostitutes in jail is solving anything? No. I think society in general being more compassionate and understanding towards the needs of both men and women is needed.

What's wrong with sucking dick? Why shouldn't it be an acceptable option? People shouldn't feel shame over sexual acts, it's totally natural. Your prudish attitude here is exactly what I'm getting at when I say that religion has created a sexually repressed society.

@RoboGraham Unless you did read and comprehend what I wrote and just chose to deny it. I think the word is gaslighting.

@thinkwithme I guess I don't get it.

2

As long as people practice safe consensual sex who are we to say what type of sex should or shouldn't be done. If you want to pay and someone wants to charge why should I care?

0

the people shall have what they wish

1

Legalize it for men & women, be sure to offer counseling if requested & even job training. Men tend to be driven by sexual desire more than women, & are in an inferior position when it comes to attaining that unless they are attractive, rich or brutal enough (tho there is the question of whether rape is all about dominance/power or sex). To have a safe accepted outlet for that drive may be beneficial to women in general. Sort of like having free transportation available to those too drunk to drive on New Year's Eve!

1

If it’s not your body, it’s not your choice. Period.

2

Legalize, regulate and fornicate. As long as everyone is of an age to consent, and the money is going to the service provider, I trust women with contol over their bodies and making the decisions that are in their own best interests.

1

Yes....I do agree, what adult person is doing it is their business not mine! And why would be a crime to have sex?

1

I think we should be careful with how we approach this issue. Particularly with the difference between legalization and decriminalization.

[newrepublic.com]

Liam Level 3 Jan 3, 2018

Ok so yeah full legalization is the way to go then.

Only if you want to keep causing trouble for sex workers.

2

Of course it should be legal, and regulated. Here in Australia, the laws vary between the states. Brothels are legal only in some states, where prostitution is regulated. In other states. independent sex work is legal, but brothels aren't.

It seems like you Ozzies have really got it together. Gun control, legal prostitution, riding kangaroos everywhere to cut down on carbon emissions. Have you guys legalized cannabis yet? I think we did beat you to the punch on homosexual marriage though.

@RoboGraham Medicinal cannabis only, so far, and not in every state. Gay marriage, though, is nationwide now. Do you have it in all states? Kangaroos give an incredibly bumpy ride, although the pouch is handy for the shopping (providing Joey's left home).

@Coffeo Our Supreme court ruled in favor of marriage equality a few years ago so it applies to all states. Although many states would rather not have it. The red ones particularly. Are there many holy rollers in Australia? Do you guys have a bible belt?

@RoboGraham There is one of those Hillsong churches a few kilometres away, and I think they are a bit pushy. But I've never encountered them around here. There is no bible belt, thank god (or whoever) 🙂

@Coffeo Wonderful. Although Ken Ham is one of yours. I thought it was pretty funny how he blamed the atheist when his arc museum failed. That guy is delusional.

1

As someone who wouldn't be here if not for my biological mother being a prostitute, getting knocked up and not believing in abortions, I say legalize it! She made a lot of money doing it, but a good handful of it went to her pimp who was abusive and when she left him so she could lead a better life, he promised he would find her and kill her. She lives with fear because she saw one of his boys (I assume one of his thugs?) and one of his girls (another girl that worked for him) after she moved states away, she was for sure he was gonna find her. But she has not heard from him since and hasn't seen them. So, I hope she will be okay, but I'm sure she will as long as he doesn't bring a gun. She took self defense classes to protect herself in case something with a client went wrong. If they do regulate it though, they should teach self defense as something mandatory, in my opinion.

Good for your mom, I'm glad she alright. No one should have to deal with that kind of shit though. The police should protect sex workers rather than persecute them.

2

One of my big problems with organized religions is their unmitigated gall in telling others how to live! Legalize it so the pimps are OUT & women can choose this career path if they wish!

1

Well, again, I live in Nevada, so.....not really an issue here. Legalize, of course.

1

I get the impression most of the people posting or commenting to this post act in a responsible manner regarding their sexual activity. It HAS been an interesting discussion.

Yes, a lot of people have made a lot of good points. Where do you stand?

@RoboGraham legalize it. I posted my thoughts days ago. Then someone commented on my post and I scolled thru all the posts after mine and posted the comment you queried me on.

How much do you charge?

@Zoidburg for what? tracking posts?

@silverotter11 Indeed! Sorry, should have been more specific!

1

No. Legalize it.

2

It is already legal in some parts of this country. It is widespread in much of the rest. It should become legal to reduce the influence of the criminal element.

2

Wow. I expected to come to the discussion and leave a smart-ass comment to throw a little silly into the mix, but this is actually quite a fascinating topic discussion. Thank you all for your insightful perspectives. It is again clear to me why I wanted to join this group.

1

It is legal in the form of escorting, nearly all escorts are up for that. And if you're that worried about it, just set up a video camera and call it porn...

2

As per me - While I would never use such a service myself, I see no reason for it to be illegal. As long as the people engaging into such an occupation are not driven to it by force, coercion, deception or other means that infringe their own right of consent.

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