Should prostitution be legal?

pattygreen · May 19, 2009

Have you ever heard of addictions patty? Everyone has one, smoking, drugs, alcohol, shopping, gambling, eating. No one is perfect, and no one should be denied food or medical care just because you don't think they are worthy enough or live perfect enough to receive it.

And prostitution? That's an addiction? Cause that's what we were originally talking about here. Prostitution doesn't have to be.

Kat817 · May 19, 2009

I don't think anyone considers prostitution an addiction, at least from the prostitutes side of it---possibly from the customers side on occasion.

The subject at hand leads to other subjects some times. And sad to say prostitution and addiction, often times go hand in hand. Which could maybe be controlled some with legalization, and required UA's like they do at my DH's work. Random urinalysis, and if you test positive, you lose your job. When you have to go back to the streets with no protection---maybe it would be incentive to avoid the drugs. Yes it is a long shot, but they have nothing encouraging them now.....

Nothing HAS to be an addiction. And some are easier to break than others, and easier for some people.

My brother has smoked for years. He smokes a few cigarettes a day----many times his pack goes stale before he finishes it. He will not make a trip to the store just to buy cigarettes, they don't matter much to him. I on the other hand, smoked like a freight train when I smoked, and worried where the next pack was coming from when I was opening one! It was hard to quit for me.....he could likely do it without issue.

BUT he is an alcoholic! He has been sober for 8 years but he cannot drink a drop----he would be back to a bottle of vodka a day. I on the other hand can and do go months without even wanting any kind of drink, then can have one or 2 and stop----something he could never seem to do.

We share the same parents, and were raised in the same manner---yet our issues with addiction differ vastly.

Your experience, nor mine, bears any effect whatsoever on another persons addiction, or how hard it will be for them to kick that addiction. Just because it was easy for us, or difficult for us, it may be a total different story for them.

BJean · May 19, 2009

Oh, ok, patty. Now I get it. You're perfect.

I am sorry that in reading your posts I came to the incorrect conclusion that you are an intolerant, judgemental, hard-hearted person. I should have known better. Afterall, you've been quite clear about how you don't judge people, you just like to point out that they are sinners and in what ways they sin. You may sound like you hate people but you don't. You just hate the sin. And you're here to tell them when they sin. Otherwise, you love the sinners the same as you love everyone.

I'm glad that you took the time to explain all that to me. I sure had you figured wrong.

pattygreen · May 19, 2009

Oh, ok, patty. Now I get it. You're perfect.
I am sorry that in reading your posts I came to the incorrect conclusion that you are an intolerant, judgemental, hard-hearted person. I should have known better. Afterall, you've been quite clear about how you don't judge people, you just like to point out that they are sinners and in what ways they sin. You may sound like you hate people but you don't. You just hate the sin. And you're here to tell them when they sin. Otherwise, you love the sinners the same as you love everyone.

I'm glad that you took the time to explain all that to me. I sure had you figured wrong.

If I were posting on the 'loose is not lose' . or the 'biggest loser' or the 'elective C-section ' forums, I wouldn't be discussing sin at all. But these posts on 'abortion', homosxuality', and 'prostitution', are ABOUT sin. And why we believe they should or shouldn't be legalized. Do you just want me to agree with you and end the debate? I don't agree prostitution (or any other thing that God deems sinful) should be legalized. If you feel that I am being judgmental towards others because in order to tell my reason for why I don't want them legalized is to point out that it is sinful, then so be it. I would ONLY point out someones sin, or make them aware of it in a forum like this that is debating it. I certainly don't go around in my life telling others that they are sinners, or being judgmental towards others. You see me as intollerant, judgemental and hard hearted, because you ONLY have seen me on controversial boards that discuss sinful situations like the ones I've mentioned.

Carrie_C · May 19, 2009

And prostitution? That's an addiction? Cause that's what we were originally talking about here. Prostitution doesn't have to be.

No, prostitution is not an addiction, but a lot of women do it to pay for their other addictions. IF YOU WOULD READ MY PREVIOUS POSTS, YOU WOULD KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. You only read what you want. You mentioned that someone who smoked shouldn't be given food. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. People shouldn't be denied food or medical care just because they have an addiction. DID YOU HEAR ME THAT TIME?? GEEEZZZ

BJean · May 20, 2009

It's true patty. I don't know you from Adam's off Ox. (long shaggy dog story)

All any of us can do here is write about what we know and what we observe and respond to what someone else has posted.

Lydiafree · May 28, 2009

No, prostitution is not an addiction, but a lot of women do it to pay for their other addictions.

and many of them start addictions to deal with prostitution.

I've worked with current and erstwhile sex workers (which includes strippers and porn actresses) for years. In my experience almost none wanted to be in that "industry", but through some circumstance, were forced into it. Addiction is a way to cope with an often times dehumanizing and violent situation.

I say, decriminalize the selling, and put those who buy it and the human traffickers who force people into it in jail.

Legalization, i feel, simply makes it easier to hide the overwhelming problem of human trafficking.

BJean · May 29, 2009

Lydia, that's an interesting perspective. Do you believe that legalization would make it easier to hide human trafficking than it is now with prostitution illegal?

pattygreen · May 29, 2009

I believe that all parties involved in prostitution should be held accountable. It should be illegal for anyone to purchase sex from a prostitute.

BJean · May 29, 2009

Since prostitution is currently illegal, I agree that all parties involved should be prosecuted for their involvement in prostitution, whether they are the john, the pimp or the prostitute. But unfortunately in most cases that is not the case. The female is held accountable and the john is looked upon as someone who can't help his biological drives and who is rather expected to give in to the allure of a woman who is willing to have sex with him. What a load of you-know-what! If everyone involved was prosecuted it would be an entirely different industry - in fact, men would probably pass the laws to make it legal. But I can assure you, prostitution would not go away in any case.

Lydiafree · May 29, 2009

Do you believe that legalization would make it easier to hide human trafficking than it is now with prostitution illegal?

I guess that's a subjective sort of thing, but yes, I do think so. Sex workers already face horrifying treatment at the hands of law enforcement and a dismissive, apathetic attitude from the public at large. As an example, the rape and abuse of prostitutes is frequently referred to as "NHI" in police departments. NHI means No Human Involved.

If it were flat out legal (as opposed to decriminalized for those selling it (not pimps, btw)), that coupled with the dehumanizing attitude held towards sex workers, would only increase the apathy towards them, and do little to decrease the hostility focused on them (and amazingly enough, not the men whose demand creates the damn problem).

So, while there are positive benefits to legalizing - such as allowing sex workers to unionize, get benefits or get health care, etc. - there's no guaranty that the number of people willing to do such work would increase. The demand side is always present and VERY demanding, and unfortunately, will be supplied by any means necessary.

I don't see how legalizing it combats that. Decriminaliztion might not either, but it seems somewhat more effective to punish those demanding it and those forcing people to supply it, then the actual sex workers themselves. What's to be gained by punishing victims?

If the human trafficking and coercion problem could be dealt with, then there's no reason not to legalize.

This, by the way, is the common attitude of the sex workers I've worked with. Decriminalization first, then, if Americans ever grow up, legalization.

All that said - I don't want to give the impression that they all victims. They're not. Or that they're all women. They're not. I (or the public at large) may not agree with their choice of employment, but it's damn lucrative so i understand its appeal. And, even those who do sex work because they want to deserve protection, safety and respect. they're human beings.

(This, of course, unearths a number of feminist arguments as well, but that's for another time.) :smile:

Lydiafree · May 29, 2009

Since prostitution is currently illegal, I agree that all parties involved should be prosecuted for their involvement in prostitution, whether they are the john, the pimp or the prostitute. But unfortunately in most cases that is not the case. The female is held accountable and the john is looked upon as someone who can't help his biological drives and who is rather expected to give in to the allure of a woman who is willing to have sex with him. What a load of you-know-what! If everyone involved was prosecuted it would be an entirely different industry - in fact, men would probably pass the laws to make it legal. But I can assure you, prostitution would not go away in any case.

You're absolutely right about that. It's frequently the prostitute that gets arrested, while the man who sought them out (and yes, it's virtually always men - whether the prostitute is female or male), gets a slap on the wrist, if anything.

Misogyny. That's what that is.

BJean · May 30, 2009

Lydia: "If it were flat out legal (as opposed to decriminalized for those selling it (not pimps, btw)), that coupled with the dehumanizing attitude held towards sex workers, would only increase the apathy towards them, and do little to decrease the hostility focused on them (and amazingly enough, not the men whose demand creates the damn problem)."

Do you believe that this is true for those who work in the industry where it has been legalized?

From everything I've read or seen in documentaries, hostility doesn't seem to be prevalent toward the prostitutes where it is a legal profession. The dehumanizing attitude isn't at all the same as it is where prostitution is illegal. The only times the police would even come in contact with a prostitute are when an officer would avail him/herself of those services, or when the prostitute broke some other law.

I understand why the sex workers themselves would believe that decriminalization is the first step toward making it legal, and that may be true. But decriminalizing it doesn't at all solve the problems that are currently in play where it is absolutely illegal. All decriminalization accomplishes is that they would not be routinely harrassed by the police and they would not have to go through the humility of being arrested on a regular basis. And they will certainly still be treated with distain and hostility.

Only if it is legalized and controlled under a specific set of rules and guidelines will the attitudes toward prostitutes become less apathetic and more accepting as well as there being less hostility toward the sex workers in general.

And a very important factor in legalizing prostitution is what I said earlier, that it would create a far safer environment for both the sex workers and the general public.

Lydiafree · June 1, 2009

Do you believe that this is true for those who work in the industry where it has been legalized?

From everything I've read or seen in documentaries, hostility doesn't seem to be prevalent toward the prostitutes where it is a legal profession. The dehumanizing attitude isn't at all the same as it is where prostitution is illegal.

In America, yes I do think it would still be true. It may lessen over time, but we're a sex-obsessed yet oddly prudish country that loves its bigotry. I've seen too much to believe we're capable of anything else. At least right now.

Now, I'm certainly not saying that it shouldn't be legalized. I'm saying America isn't mature enough for it. Decriminalization is a step in the right direction - it would prevent the prostitutes from being the sole focus of punishment. But, it's not the last stop on the tour.

I agree with you - the benefits to sex workers is numerous in a legal atmosphere. I'm just not convinced that it solves the problems inherent in the industry. Human trafficking won't be stemmed by legalization. Rape, abuse, etc. won't be stemmed by legalization.