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Should prostitution be legalized?
Well, people have been complaining that this place is dead. So here's an interesting topic that I saw being debated (rather ineptly if you ask me) in the opinions section of The Peak.
My opinion: yes. A characteristically long-winded explanation of this opinion will follow after a few people have been able to get their ideas out. :)
My opinion: yes. A characteristically long-winded explanation of this opinion will follow after a few people have been able to get their ideas out. :)
Comments
It is not a "real" job. It is disgusting. Prostitutes should be told to go get a real job or else be thrown in jail for life.
Prostitution is not something that should be encouraged. What is the benefit of it??
Gross!
And hell, if they legalize it, the government can tax it, just as they would anybody else with a job. They would have to spend less money on police out to bust "Johns" and actually do something useful for a change.
Whether you like it or not, making it illegal won't make the problem go away, so why not embrace it, in order to make the best of the situation?
What difference does it make, it is going to happen whether it is legal or not. Making it legal might actually save some of their lives from the sick freaks out there. But that costs money, and there are some more important things out there to spend it on.
In this case, the commodity is their sexual organs
Hell to make it more extreme, 95% of us sell our bodies out as commodity because we work for someone for a wage.
A lot of it has to do with our Judeo-Christian society in my opinion.
I don't think it's all that compelling to say that it's going to happen anyway, so why not legalize it. I mean, murder is going to happen anyway. I think it should be legalized not because you can't stop it, but because it shouldn't be illegal. I don't recognize the government's ability to tell me or anyone else what is or is not moral. That's not their mandate. Think whatever you want about prostitution, but making it law is another matter.
Weed, on the other hand should be legalized :D
Sex is not illegal. So why then does it become illegal when it's sold as a service? It doesn't make any sense.
Before even engaging in a debate regarding the subject we must acknowledge that the laws regarding prostitution are selectively enforced (i.e. enforced unfairly). This is related to why it's a locational problem: the city's (or a particular neighbourhood's) image is tarnished when we see prostitutes advertising themselves during night. This is when it becomes problematic for the authorities so they arrest the prostitutes, a perishable solution considering many prostitutes are not prostitutes by choice. The law should apply to everyone equally, so why not enforce prostitution laws on pornographers and keepers of "massage parlours"? This would probably be impossible, so I believe it would make sense to legalize and regulate prostitution. Aside from being fair, there would be numerous other benefits:
1. Less contraction of STDs. Parlours would be legalized and regulated meaning that all workers would have to be regularly checked (much like in the pornography industry). Pimps on the street don't care about how healthy their prostitutes are.
2. More revenue. Prostitution could be taxed and this means more revenue. Law enforcement agencies wouldn't exert much energy enforcing the law because it would all be legal, in turn saving resources.
3. Less abuse to women. Women wouldn't be abused by pimps and johns because they'd be working in highly regulated environments. There would also be less drug abuse because pimps would not be addicting prostitutes to drugs.
4. Personal freedom. People can do as we please insofar as they do not harm others. As it was said before, why should something become illegal when it's sold as a service? It doesn't make any sense.
Keeping the practice illegal will perpetuate the abuse, drug-taking behaviours, STDs, and unfairness. The only counter-arguments so far presented is that it's gross and shouldn't be encouraged because there'd be no benefit. Well I listed some above and I'm certain there are many that I missed.
The practice should be legalized everywhere, end of story.
How is that more dangerous than ignoring their problems and indeed punishing them more? Even the less desperate ones - the ones who are not addicted or enslaved by a pimp - have absolutely no recourse if they are assaulted or raped.
[edit] - Insatiable: Very well said. Though I might have ranked those four points a little differently. :p
oops
Kevin M., you mentioned before that legalizing prostitution would increase assaults against them but I think this is a wrong way of looking at it. The relationship between fully legalizing prostitution and the factors it's associated with is a complicated one. All advocates of legalization obviously have some form of restraint or regulation in mind. That is, keeping prostitution in designated buildings and having workers and perhaps clientele examined for diseases (regulation). That's how it is in Nevada and Amsterdam. Hence, if anything, legalization (if done correctly) would lead to less abuse and disease--isn't that what we all want. Of course a significant amount of religious zealotry would have to be overcome to make this happen but I do see this as a possibility in Canada's future (considering how tolerant and open of a nation we are).
Morro, thanks for agreeing with me. I'm certain that the arguments for legalization practically sell themselves. Also, the benefits from legalization come in no particular order and I'm sure there are more short- and long-term ones apart from what I mentioned.
Overall, this is just one of those issues where prohibition does little but perpetuate the harmful concomitants of prostitution (I can think of abuse against women, drug abuse, and disease as immediate ones). Quite literally, I don't see any viable arguments against legalization (or maintaining the status quo) unless you think that sex is somehow evil or should not be encouraged. We must recognize that any arguments for legalization usually have some sort of regulation in mind so the legalization view should not be taken as outright legitimation of street prostitution. Many misunderstandings often arise here because the prohibitionists take a rather displaced view of the legalization and obviously disprove it. If you want to disprove legalization, you must first understand it properly and take a proper verison of it.
Ultimately, for better or for worse, "the world's oldest profession" is here to stay. Such a constant (it exists in practically every society for practically as long as money has) cannot simply be uprooted with prohibition. We must change our outlook and how we conceive the problem if we are to make genuine progress.
Protitutes are for those losers that cant speak english or cant get a decent girlfriend.
If you all think it should be leagalized, you're nuts. Its a disgusting "occupation"....its not even a real job. I dont care why they're on the streets, there is no lack of jobs in this city right now, same goes for all the other homeless losers on the street.
Same goes for strippers. Pathetic jobs for girls who cant go out and find a real job. Sure, just sell your body, that works better. Its the easy way out, right? Some people need to have self respect. Horrid!
Oh sure, go and legalize it. Cuz prostitution just looks so great on our city streets. Really. Looks great.
It is not a real job.
No one benefits from it except the coke-head whores who are getting a little bit of money to buy more cocaine.
It is not something that should be allowed or legalized or whatever. Its a matter of what is right and what is wrong. Do you honestly think that prostitution is right? I honestly do not see how. ITS NOT A JOB! Its a disgusting thing that is on our streets and shouldnt even be there in the first place.
We should be helping those women by making places where people can help them find proper jobs, not setting up " legitimate places of business" so that they can whore their bodies out. Now THAT would be good. That is what the government should put some money towards.
Oh no, wait, I forgot, lets all donate money to save the trees in Stanley Park, cuz, after all, thats more important....right?
:/
And, as I already said, legalizing something is not encouraging it. Cigarettes are legal - does the government encourage that? Casual sex without the exchange of money is legal - does the government encourage that? Of course not.
Prostitution could be the most disgusting thing imaginable - doesn't matter. Not the issue.
I have my opinions. You asked if I thought it should be legalized. No i do not think it should. It is not just sex between two consenting adults. The women are forced to do it (because of their income situation, etc). Do you really think they WANT to be prostitutes? Well if they do, then fine, go for it. I dont think they really do tho.
Now, as for prostitution being a legitimate profession, I would think that if they legalized it, it would be just as legitimate as anything else, like being a servant, or plumbing. They all provide a service. You're selling your own labour and your body to complete a service for a person. A butler/maid also sell their bodies to do work, is that not a real job? As for disgusting? Plumbers are arm-deep in shit some days (some would say that's true for prostitutes too, ZING), that sounds a lot more disgusting than having sex for a living. As for being for loser guys who can't get girlfriends....well, plumbers are for losers who can't fix their own fucking toilet. And some would argue fixing a toilet is much easier than obtaining a girlfriend.
You can't ostracize an entire group of people just because of the profession they choose. They need to earn money, so why not let them? In the current state, as mentioned before already, legalizing and regulating it would just help to create a much safer environment for them. Hell, I think being a missionary is a pretty stupid profession, but I don't think taking that right away from them to become a missionary is a proper thing to do.
Let me get this straight tho....im jealous of girls who whore themselves out to get money from random men who ejaculate in them (porn and prostitutes) or drool and degrade them while they strip in strip-clubs? Yah....that makes sense.
Im quite attractive thanks, so if i wanted to do that shit, i prolly could (not that you really have to be attractive to do any of that stuff). However, i CHOOSE not to....cuz i have self-respect for myself and my body :)
Nice try tho.
Are you being serious? Random guys are ejaculating inside of you....on a daily basis. What the fuck? Thats not normal. I honestly dont know what kind of sex lives you people on here have, but for me, i have sex with one person....my boyfriend. No other random creepy guys. That is so disgusting its not even funny. Hmmm, lets see, a guy cant fix his toilet seat....go out and buy a new one, thats ok with me. A guy cant find a gf so he goes downtown to sleep with a whore who is prolly disease-ridden and high on coke....and thats ok to you guys? No, it isnt.
I was at a restaurant downtown once and walked in a hooker in the washroom who left the door unlocked. She was all like, "oh, i never lock doors, but hey, come here and look at this rash here and tell me what you think it is" as she's flashing me her vagina. I was so disgusted that i ran out of there back to my date who was sitting at the table. She walked by us, outside, and a cab rolled up and she got in and they drove off. That is not right guys, im sorry i dont care even if you say it is.
And im guessing you guys dont understand this because you dont have a vagina. Id like to hear some responses from other girls on here.
Being a prostitute is QUITE different than being a prostitute. VERY different "professions".
Besides, you keep dancing around the issue of being "disease ridden". It's been mentioned several times that with proper regulation and supervision, prostitution could be made safe by enforcing the practice of safe sex. And no, not ALL prostitutes are coke-fiends, that's just a stereotype.
The argument is that if prostitution were legal:
1. It would not be in public any more.
2. There would be rules and restrictions.
Again, I dont know what kind of relationships you have. Any girl who dates a guy just because he wants to have sex with her is a complete idiot. Glad im not in that situation.
Its not the same thing. Sorry, its not. Cant fix a clog, call a plumber. Cant get a girlfriend? Go get a hooker?? Doesnt seem right to me. Guys should just jerk off instead if they're THAT desperate.
I really cant be bothered to keep fighting about this. I know im right. Prostitution should not be legalized so that those whores can have "safe" places to do it and that pathetic guys can keep fucking them. And it DOES spread diseases by having them there doing that.
Its the truth. If it were up to me, they'd all be thrown in jail or shot. Same goes for the pathetic losers who go to them to have sex. The end.
:)
Hell, you admitted to having premarital sex. Religious fundamentalists, (who would probably agree with your view of prostitution, by the way) would probably refer to you as a whore as well, for not adhering to rules of pre-marital celebacy. You'd probably think they're retarded. And rightly so, because that's only their opinion, and their moral beliefs. It doesn't apply to all of society.
Besides, you're missing the point completely. The issue at hand isn't whether or not prostitution is morally right or wrong. That's completely irrelevant. It's not a moral issue, it's a social issue. Regardless of the "rightness" or "wrongness" of it, it's a problem that will continue to persist. The real issue is whether or not legalizing it and regulating it would benefit society (or at least those involved with the sex trade) when comparing it to its current state. And with this in mind, I haven't heard any reasonable argument against it.
Anyways, I believe prostitution should be legalized. Not because I support it, but because I believe it’s the most humane thing to do. There will always be prostitution, whether you like it or not. To believe that there will be a time where no one will sell their body is idealistic. Sex sells.. that’s the way it will always be. Legalization makes the problem worse. It perpetuates abuse again women, spread diseases, addictions, etc. How does it do that? It creates a community where prostitutes feel powerless and are taken advantage of. The government and police force who are suppose to protect its people, including its most vulnerable citizens, turn their backs on them or punish them. She gets abused by her pimp/client, where does she go for help without being judge or thrown in jail. She becomes sick because she has contracted a disease. She can’t afford the medication to help her get better- she using her money for bare essential such as food, shelter, etc. Even if she could get the medication, she fears being judged and humiliated because of her lifestyle. She wants to go back to school- but the pimp takes most of her money, leaving her with barely anything… so the cycle continues.
If it were legalized, women that are being abuse would be able to come forward without the fear being thrown in jail. Clients that abuse the prostitutes will be punished. If women are provided with disease testing every 3 months, they become healthier. Any money made will not be taken by pimps, and she may be able to save $$ towards school, for better a life. For some, a sense of trust will be established with people (whether its cops, health workers, community service workers, etc) and hopefully this will motivate her to seek help out of her situation, because she realizes that someone cares, she can do better and she has people supporting her. Government tax could be used towards services that help people in this situation – housing, treatment centres, employment resources, etc. Wouldn’t you want to create the best possible environment for a person to seek help, to heal, to grow, to become a better person? Legalization does this, making it illegal does not.
Even when it's not legalized prostitution occurs. Stop lying to yourself
However if there's a legalized system,
say, prostitutes should renew their license every half a year, do their body check and get their license renewed only if they are HIV negative.
would any guys wanted to consume "non-licensed" prostitute anymore?
as least they are "uninfected" knowing that it won't stop them doing it when it's not legalized.
say, they worked in a registered area with security personel around that building.
Legalizing prostitution could help the society in some way, in my opinion