Why Prostitution Should Be Made Legal

[Anarchist Patriot]

Now don't misunderstand me, I don't go to prostitutes for sex. Furthermore I don't wish to see my wife, daughter, mother or any other family member doing this kind of work. But shouldnt people have the right to do what they want with their own bodies? The plane fact is that anti prostitution laws do nothing to enforce morality (which is not the government's business anyway). But rather it punishes women and others who are trying to make a living.

The law says they are trying to protect women but is this what the laws are really about? Women who prostitute themselves do so because they ether 1) Think its an easy way to make money, which involves very little skill. Just use their natural, God given talents and their good looks, or 2) Have no other way of earning a living.

If the government really cares about the women (or men) doing this line of work than they should provide the work oportunities so these individuals do not have to walk the streets. There should be ways for individuals to support themselves and their children so they don't have to turn to any "immoral" ways to support themselves. This means providing jobs, educational opportunities and unemployment benifits. Provide inexpensive housing and public health care.

What will be left over would be women and men who do this work voluntarily.

The benifits woudl be:
1) Elimination of illegal activity such as child prostitution, "white slavery" and control of the sex industry by organized crime syndicates.
2) Better control of Venerial Diseases, HIV, Genetal Herpes, Syphilis etc.
3) Increase the Tax base.
4) A descrease in sex crimes.

Keep in mind that in most of Europe and Asia, legalized but carefully regulated prostitution has been a success.

[indierockboy]

prostitution is illegal for many reasons.

1)there is no such thing as perfect protection. a condom can break. a pill can fail. spermicides do not always work. there is no way to guarantee against pregnancy or stds.

2)legalizing prostitution would not eliminate child prostitution, or "white slavery", or anything of the sort. that's like saying legalization of marijuana would eliminate the sale of heroin.

3)sex crimes would not decrease in the slightest, except for the crime of prostitution. rape of prostitutes would increase with their availability. same with their murder.

and furthermore, there are always better alternatives to earning a living. stripping is perfectly legal and requires about the same skill level.

[Sodfather]

Originally posted by indierockboy@09-15-2003 08:52 PM 1)there is no such thing as perfect protection. a condom can break. a pill can fail. spermicides do not always work. there is no way to guarantee against pregnancy or stds. 2)legalizing prostitution would not eliminate child prostitution, or "white slavery", or anything of the sort. that's like saying legalization of marijuana would eliminate the sale of heroin. 3)sex crimes would not decrease in the slightest, except for the crime of prostitution. rape of prostitutes would increase with their availability. same with their murder.

Man, you blew every last one of those points:

1. Patriot said that there would be better control of VD, not eradication of it...What's so hard to understand? Patriot is absolutely right - if prostitutes had to be tested and such, the amount of customers getting VD would be almost zilch, hence cutting down on STDs.

2. Okay, you have a (weak) point here. Make that one less point that you've blown.

3. Oh God, are you serious? First of all, a HUGE amount of sex crimes that occur involve prostitutes; if there's a bunch of people waiting for their turn in an office or house (not on the streets, as Patriot mentioned), you think anyone's gonna rape the hooker or kill her with people around? Okay, maybe some still would, but there would still be a considerable decrease in sex crimes.

Patriot, I believe you made some good points, whether they were originally yours or from some study. Good job ;) although teh thought of hookers, legal or illegal, still makes me wanna puke. :o

[GreatWyrm of Babylon]

My main concern here is if we manage to legalize both prositution and drugs is an inadvertant legalization of slavery... While I would rather go without than pay for it, I do not like other people deciding what I can and cannot do. So other than my concerns, go for it.

[Anarchist Patriot]

Originally posted by GreatWyrm of Babylon@09-15-2003 09:31 PM My main concern here is if we manage to legalize both prositution and drugs is an inadvertant legalization of slavery... While I would rather go without than pay for it, I do not like other people deciding what I can and cannot do. So other than my concerns, go for it.

Thanks Sodfather.

I would add my most basic objection as an anarchist and libertarian:

The freedom for consenting adults to have sex with eachother is something that should be protected.

In most "free" societies, there are not laws to tell you who you cannot sleep with. If I want to meet some chick (or some guy) in a bar, a cafe or laundremat and invite him or her to my place for sex, it should be my right. So why do people get so bent out of shape if money is involved?

Hey, I am not saying all sex is moral. I was in a marriage myself and it was ruined after I found out my wife was having sex. I know what she did was evil but it was not illegal. In fact when we went to court I lost custody of my daughter because courts don't give a damm who was cheating, they will just say a kid goes to the mother and the daddy has to pay and pay. I hope you all get the point.

[indierockboy]

Originally posted by Sodfather@09-15-2003 09:08 PM Man, you blew every last one of those points: 1. Patriot said that there would be better control of VD, not eradication of it...What's so hard to understand? Patriot is absolutely right - if prostitutes had to be tested and such, the amount of customers getting VD would be almost zilch, hence cutting down on STDs. 2. Okay, you have a (weak) point here. Make that one less point that you've blown. 3. Oh God, are you serious? First of all, a HUGE amount of sex crimes that occur involve prostitutes; if there's a bunch of people waiting for their turn in an office or house (not on the streets, as Patriot mentioned), you think anyone's gonna rape the hooker or kill her with people around? Okay, maybe some still would, but there would still be a considerable decrease in sex crimes. Patriot, I believe you made some good points, whether they were originally yours or from some study. Good job ;) although teh thought of hookers, legal or illegal, still makes me wanna puke. :o

actually, you blew every one of your responses.

1. if prostitutes were routinely checked for stds, they would have to serve one client and then wait for their results, and then one client etc. this would not be conducive to actually making a significant amount of money. checking for a host of stds takes a significant amount of time and money, which would totally negate the idea of offering a service. unless of course prostitution prices skyrocketted, in which case i'm sure there would be enough illegal prostitution to satisfy the needs of the poor/tighwads. it would create only marginally greater control of sexually transmitted diseases.

2. well said. you certainly proved you have a point here.

3. once again, the feasibility of running such a well maintained (and secure) business negate the entire idea of prostitution (which, unless you are forgetting, is cheap sex). so unless said fantasy business was run, the availabilty of prostitutes would only increase.

for prostitution to become a legitimate business as this hypothesis claims is possible, the costs would increase dramatically. this would make for a business that would 1. be completely unfeasible because it undermines the point of prostitution 2. turn extremely low wages for the women involved, underiming the point of prostitution (making lots of easy money) 3. spawn a "grey market" with reasonably priced prostitution with reasonable saftey 4. spawn a "black market" with significantly less safe prositution for low prices.

[indierockboy]

Originally posted by Anarchist Patriot@09-16-2003 12:25 AM Thanks Sodfather. I would add my most basic objection as an anarchist and libertarian: The freedom for consenting adults to have sex with eachother is something that should be protected. In most "free" societies, there are not laws to tell you who you cannot sleep with. If I want to meet some chick (or some guy) in a bar, a cafe or laundremat and invite him or her to my place for sex, it should be my right. So why do people get so bent out of shape if money is involved? Hey, I am not saying all sex is moral. I was in a marriage myself and it was ruined after I found out my wife was having sex. I know what she did was evil but it was not illegal. In fact when we went to court I lost custody of my daughter because courts don't give a damm who was cheating, they will just say a kid goes to the mother and the daddy has to pay and pay. I hope you all get the point.

but if prostitution existed on exactly the same level it does now (no government/business intervention) legalizing it would only lead to more problems with stds and crime against prostitutes.

i agree with you on the grounds you mentioned in this post, and i don't object to the legalization of prostitution. but the original points you listed don't make sense.

[John]

I believe prostition should be illegal, keeping these girls off the streets keeps them safe, I have seen plenty of cases on the news about prostitutes being murdered.

I however feel the solution is in legalised brothels, brothels have to pass regular health and hygene tests and the girls are all in safe environments, most brothels usually have security cameras in each room and a security guard on call. Much safer than a prostitute on the street isnt it?

[G. Adams]

I for once agree with John, curb crawling is dangerous, while limiting it to brothels means money can be paid up front, bouncers at the door, clean environment, and power is mostly in the hands of the prostitute, rather than the customer. By this point there would little difference between it and porn anyway.

I'm surprised most governments havn't jumped at the chance of legalising it anyway, they'd tax and license it to hell claiming the need to protect these women. (which is fair but i'm sured they'd make in excess of their needs like they do in britain with porn)

[RebelWithanAK]

I agree with John as well (for once). Taxing vice works, dammit.

[Anarchist Patriot]

Originally posted by G. Adams@09-16-2003 09:36 AM I for once agree with John, curb crawling is dangerous, while limiting it to brothels means money can be paid up front, bouncers at the door, clean environment, and power is mostly in the hands of the prostitute, rather than the customer. By this point there would little difference between it and porn anyway. I'm surprised most governments havn't jumped at the chance of legalising it anyway, they'd tax and license it to hell claiming the need to protect these women. (which is fair but i'm sured they'd make in excess of their needs like they do in britain with porn)

The idea of having a camera in every room would be too much an invasion of privacy. At least it would for me, unless your the kind of guy who likes to film yourself having sex. ;-)

[indierockboy]

the biggest argument for legalization of prostitution is the entire adult films industry. when you think about it, it's prostitution on camera. the only difference is both parties are paid, and there is a significant margin for profit.

however, if you read about the adult film world, you'll find it's really not very safe. there are many stds floating around and there are very few adult film companies that advocate (much less enforce) the use of condoms on set.

[RebelWithanAK]

Indie, this may very well be, but there are very few adult film companies if any that don't advocate medical screenings for their stars. It's just common sense.

I think that whole "free society" bit was meant to protect your liberty of who you sleep with in the sense of Lawrence v. Texas, not in the sense of protecting the right of prostitution.

[indierockboy]

Originally posted by RebelWithanAK@09-16-2003 09:48 PM Indie, this may very well be, but there are very few adult film companies if any that don't advocate medical screenings for their stars. It's just common sense.

you'd be surprised, rebel. most porn "stars" make about $100 per movie, which is usually shot over the course of only a few days. while many adult film companies do advocate screening, just as many do not.

[fedfem]

$100.00? I am sure most make more than that. Where are you getting your figures?

[G. Adams]

Originally posted by indierockboy@09-17-2003 04:58 PM you'd be surprised, rebel. most porn "stars" make about $100 per movie, which is usually shot over the course of only a few days. while many adult film companies do advocate screening, just as many do not.

Big porn stars who work for big companies make more around $5000 a film, and considering its only a weeks shooting usually that decent money. Its just like normal films, big stars earn big bucks and the amateurs get crap. But because your not looking for any particular skills (is DP a skill?) like good acting in porn, there is a huge number of porn films released, whereas in films you have to at least try, which means theres less normal films released, which means there is more money per actor (or big actors).

[xm.bretton]

jenna jameson is loaded. :)

[Waychel]

I do not see what the benefits to legalized prostitution would be.. you would see an increase in adultery and a rise in sexually transmitted diseases for sure.

I have mixed feelings.. I believe many women choose to be prostitutes and actually enjoy their "profession". However, I do believe you would see an increase in adultery alone as prostitution became legal and therefore more socially acceptable.

So, it is a grey area for me. I cannot see enough benefits to justify making prostitution a legal and organized practice, however.

[RebelWithanAK]

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Waychel,)
I do not see what the benefits to legalized prostitution would be.. you would see an increase in adultery and a rise in sexually transmitted diseases for sure.

I have mixed feelings.. I believe many women choose to be prostitutes and actually enjoy their "profession". However, I do believe you would see an increase in adultery alone as prostitution became legal and therefore more socially acceptable.

So, it is a grey area for me. I cannot see enough benefits to justify making prostitution a legal and organized practice, however.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>

I'd rather one to go to a discreet place in which to humor their infidelities with the assurance that they are not bringing home any diseases for their significant others. Amsterdam is a good example of an extremely tolerant society, and has considerably low rates of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases specifically because of its government regulations. Obviously, banning does not work. Here in America, it's no wonder that "abstinence education" does absolutely nothing but ensure a lack of understanding as to the consequences when it comes to teens and sex - and statistics show that.