Prostitution - Is it wrong?

[Wile E. Coyote]

In reading the thread about child pornography I noticed that prostitution and adult pornography were brought up in a negative light, and I was wondering what the general consensus is here.

When I was in college I took a human sexuality course that changed the way I thought about certain unconventional lifestyles. The instructor was a very tall, energetic and unattractive woman who had done significant anthropological research into the sexual behaviors of cultures across the world, including ours. She had spent time with prostitutes and transvestites, as well as taking a sabbatical in India with Geisha's. She had been around, acededmically speaking.

Prostitutes, she said, were actually good for society. She acknowledged that men had recognizable urges that typically could not be relieved by hand. In this regard, prosititues actually cut down on abuse of women by allowing basically normal men to release their pressures on willing recipients.

The women she described were not the typical hollywood portrayal of hookers. A lot of times they were educated, intelligent women who loved what they did and saw it as a service to society. They made a lot of money in a short time. Of course, this was in areas where that type of thing is legal, so they were able to establish brothels where the environment is controlled and safe for both the customers and the service personnel. These buildings had security guards and secretaries. The women had full health coverage with doctor visits weekly.

From a moral standpoint I see nothing wrong with prositution. I don't see why the government should have a say in who we choose to have sex with and under which conditions. As long as no one is getting hurt, what is the problem?

I think that the objection to prostitution is a holdover from more religious days. The government should legalize, regulate, and tax that service. Leave it up to the people to decide whether it is a good choice for them.

[LFTKBS]

I voted no, but meant yes.

Not my cup of tea, but the government has no business reglating what people do with their own bodies.

[no one in particular]

Ugh! Your poll question is directly opposite to your thread-header question. I feel you may get some incorrect responses because of this. Very confusing, sir!

For the record, prostitution is a-okay with me.

[Luciana]

Wile:

I don't think it's wrong, either, although I confess that if I found out that my SO had been with a prostitute while in a relationship with me, I'd want him served fried, with potatoes.

Is there any evidence that making use of the services of prostitutes make men less prone to perpetrating sexual violence? I think this is a very difficult thing to prove, and therefore quite a wild assumption.

The reason I"m for prostitution is that, considering there's a market, and there are people willing to provide for it... it's a free world, right? No third party is going to be hurt. As long as all of the involved are adults conscious of their actions, and not working under coercion and being taken advantage of, then why not?

I know that many married men resort to prostitution - but not even my disgust for infidelity could make me be against it. I think they have the right to sell their bodies, as much as I ave the right to fry the hubby, along with the potatoes. :D

[Brown]

Well, personally I think regulation of the practice would be better than criminalization of it.

I consider prostitution wrong in the sense that a person who employs a prostitute where prostitution is illegal acts wrongly. In other words, I am generally opposed to breaking laws, even if I don't necessarily agree with those laws.

I confess that as part of my upcoming visit to Nevada, I have looked into the prospect of visiting a legal brothel. This is in part a matter of curiosity on my part, and I have not made a decision that this is what I plan to do. I mention it only because I have noticed that my perspective on the practice of prostitution changed when the brothels were clean, safe and legal.

[Tony]

No. People have the right to use their bodies as they see fit. If charging for sex is thier cup o' tea, they should have that right. I told my girlfriend (of 2 years) I was gonna give her 20 $ for sex one time, just for fun. Would/should that be illegal?

[Nyarlathotep]

I live in a place where prostitution is legal, at least to a limited extent. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, legalized prostitution is a good thing; having legal brothels means many fewer girls selling themselves on the street, thus reducing the amount of other crime that comes with such activity (I am NOT claiming it altogether eliminates streetwalkers, one can still find a few in Reno despite the fact that several brothels are nearby. They are much fewer in number thatn one would expect, though). Another good effect is that because the houses (and local laws) require the girls to get checked for STD's on a weekly basis, one can feel safer hiring one of the girls in the cathouses than picking up some strange girl in a bar.

Putting pragmatism aside, and looking purely at morality I still see nothing wrong with prostitution. As long as no one is forced into it, it really is nothing more than a simple service for pay arrangement, no different than hiring a cleaning person. Most of the social ills attributed to prostitution are more a function of its illegality than anything wrong witht he practice itself.

[Ursa Major]

If other people are as easily confused as I am, I'm afraid your poll will be all but useless. I voted "NO", meaning I don't think prostitution is wrong. If I'd taken the time to read the exact poll question I would have chosen "YES" .

Sorry.

[Wile E. Coyote]

Sorry, everyone, for the subject/question confusion. That was pretty dumb on my part.

So far it seems that no one is opposed to prostitution, despite the "No" votes that can possibly be attributed to my absent-mindedness.

I still wonder if there are legitimate, non-religious reasons for criminalizing prostitution.

[Melissa Johnson]

Originally posted by Wile E. Coyote
Sorry, everyone, for the subject/question confusion. That was pretty dumb on my part.

So far it seems that no one is opposed to prostitution, despite the "No" votes that can possibly be attributed to my absent-mindedness.

I still wonder if there are legitimate, non-religious reasons for criminalizing prostitution.

Legitimate, non-religious reasons are there, but the situation is clouded. Where prostitution is a problem, there are also problems with drug addiction, violence, robbery, etc. Making the activity legal doesn't necessarily make it all okay--even if you regulate it. Prostitution implies pimps, and while there may be kind pimps out there just like hookers with hearts of gold, I'd be willing to bet the majority are there to take advantage of someone else's situation.

If a woman wanted to be a prostitute and no one was manipulating, forcing, or abusing her, philosophically I can't see any reason why she shouldn't be allowed to do so. But that is an idealistic situation. All sorts of other questions are raised without even getting into the religious aspect. I think even Amsterdam with its own legal, regulated prostitution has its difficulties.

Hope that made some sort of sense :)

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Melissa Johnson


Legitimate, non-religious reasons are there, but the situation is clouded. Where prostitution is a problem, there are also problems with drug addiction, violence, robbery, etc. Making the activity legal doesn't necessarily make it all okay--even if you regulate it. Prostitution implies pimps, and while there may be kind pimps out there just like hookers with hearts of gold, I'd be willing to bet the majority are there to take advantage of someone else's situation.

If a woman wanted to be a prostitute and no one was manipulating, forcing, or abusing her, philosophically I can't see any reason why she shouldn't be allowed to do so. But that is an idealistic situation. All sorts of other questions are raised without even getting into the religious aspect. I think even Amsterdam with its own legal, regulated prostitution has its difficulties.

Hope that made some sort of sense :)

Well, most of the problems like violence, robbery etc, are more a result of prostitutions illegality than anything inherently wrong with the practice itself. If it is legal then the girls have the same protections as anybody else in any other business, ditto the customers.

The whole problem of 'taking advantage of someones situation is a lot stickier' and, I think, mostly a matter of personal opinion. For example, if I offer someone a low paying, demeaning job and they take it because it is the only job they can get, am I taking advantage of their situation or giving someone who desperately needs money a chance to make some? I think the answer is yes to both questions. Whether it is right or wrong is one of those questions tht every person you ask is going to have a different answer for.

[Melissa Johnson]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep


Well, most of the problems like violence, robbery etc, are more a result of prostitutions illegality than anything inherently wrong with the practice itself. If it is legal then the girls have the same protections as anybody else in any other business, ditto the customers.

The whole problem of 'taking advantage of someones situation is a lot stickier' and, I think, mostly a matter of personal opinion. For example, if I offer someone a low paying, demeaning job and they take it because it is the only job they can get, am I taking advantage of their situation or giving someone who desperately needs money a chance to make some? I think the answer is yes to both questions. Whether it is right or wrong is one of those questions tht every person you ask is going to have a different answer for.

I thought of that too, Nyarlathotep. It's a question of where the correlation is, and that's what I'm not sure about--the same criticisms have been leveled at the whole legalization of drugs issue. If you legalize and regulate, will you remove all of the problems, or will you just have another beaureaucratic nightmare?

At the core, it is a question of whether we have the right to do with ourselves what we want and whether we have any responsibility to look after other people's welfare (whether they want us to or not.) My own gut reaction is to leave everyone alone to their own devices. My other thought is of another set of problems.

See, I confuse myself even. :D

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Melissa Johnson


I thought of that too, Nyarlathotep. It's a question of where the correlation is, and that's what I'm not sure about--the same criticisms have been leveled at the whole legalization of drugs issue. If you legalize and regulate, will you remove all of the problems, or will you just have another beaureaucratic nightmare?

At the core, it is a question of whether we have the right to do with ourselves what we want and whether we have any responsibility to look after other people's welfare (whether they want us to or not.) My own gut reaction is to leave everyone alone to their own devices. My other thought is of another set of problems.

See, I confuse myself even. :D

Well, all I can say is, out here 'legal but regulated' has worked out just fine. It isn't a panacea for all social ills but Nevada's example shows that having a legal outlet for certain activities that many people consider 'immoral' (in our case gambling and prostitution) but that people indulge in anyway doesn't cause any extra problems. I don't feel any less safe walking down the streets of Reno or Vegas than I would any other city of similar size where such things are strictly verboten. And the girls that work in these establishments are much better off than any streetwalker in any city where such things are illegal. So I really see no down side from any point of view.

[Melissa Johnson]

Well, there you go then :)

I don't have the experience of living in a state that has legalized prostitution (we have gambling on the Indian Reservations--that's about it--oh, and Lotto). I recall now seeing a spot on one of the cable channels--Discovery, TLC, I forget now--about one of the brothels in Nevada, and how the women liked their jobs and were safe there.

It does seem logical that women (and men) would be safer all-around in such an environment, where they were protected by laws and health checks and so forth--because you're right, people are going to indulge in these activities anyway, whether it's drugs, alcohol, gambling or sex.

And the tax revenue could go to the schools! Sex Ed, of course... Wouldn't that p.o. the righteous folks...:D

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Melissa Johnson
Well, there you go then :)

I don't have the experience of living in a state that has legalized prostitution (we have gambling on the Indian Reservations--that's about it--oh, and Lotto). I recall now seeing a spot on one of the cable channels--Discovery, TLC, I forget now--about one of the brothels in Nevada, and how the women liked their jobs and were safe there.

It does seem logical that women (and men) would be safer all-around in such an environment, where they were protected by laws and health checks and so forth--because you're right, people are going to indulge in these activities anyway, whether it's drugs, alcohol, gambling or sex.

And the tax revenue could go to the schools! Sex Ed, of course... Wouldn't that p.o. the righteous folks...:D

I have a friend whose sister used to work out in one of the houses (Though who was paying money to have sex with this woman is beyond me, I wouldn't have sex with her if she were paying me, but I digress). From what I've heard she looked at it as the best job she ever had, it was good money and pretty easy (though I think the 'pretty easy' part does require...a certain mindset that not everyone has)

[Flame]

I voted no, I'm only replying because it asked for justification.
I don't necessarily thing it's wrong, although I would never do it.
Everything's already been said really - It's the spin-off effects that are the problem.

Toni

[Yahweh]

Like a few of the others, I was a bit confused by the poll question and the thread title, I inadvertantly voted "No".


Well, although in my personal opinion the criminalization of prostitution is too much, here is at least a few justifications as to why it might be criminalized. For the same reason that its a law to wear a seatbelt, the government is looking out for the best interest of its citizens. Street prostitution is obviously a danger to the woman and the involved parties. The woman is putting her self at great risk (she can get raped, killed, abducted, beaten, etc.), both parties run the risk of contracting venereal diseases (a prostitute with a veneral disease who gets around is quite bad news). The government does not want underage teenage women to prostitute themselves. Unwanted pregnancy ruins lives, the life of the child (assuming he isnt ditched in a dumpster) is usually that of neglect, the mother is depressed and obviously ashamed for having an illigetimate child with a stranger who paid her for sex. And duh, a prostitute can make US$1000s a night but pay the tax of a person making US$34,000 a year (I just had to include governmental greed... just for fun... mostly).

In my opinion, a person who "suffers" in any way because of his escapades with a tainted hooker doesnt deserve much sympathy. The prostitute and the other party both know what they are doing, what could result. I like the idea of regulated brothels (however I wouldnt want to see unregulated underground brothels, the safety and welfare of the women would probably be less than acceptable). The Moonlite Bunnyranch appears to be operating just fine, Amsterdam seems to be in pretty good order. As long as brothel regulation is maintained with high regard for the welfare of the women and clients, then the legalization of prostitution is a perfectly fine position (as a legitimate business, additional cashflow is good for the economy).

[Eos of the Eons]

Child prostitution should be illegal. Then they can be yanked off the street, or out of wherever they are, and away from the pimp.

If women want to do it, whatever. I couldn't personally. Most men find you distasteful when they found out you were doing that in your past. Imagine the types of guys too, and the married ones I'd be pissed at.

It's the risk of disease and touching so many strangers that really turns me off of the thought of it. And the physical violence you put yourself at risk for.

I want to enjoy that physical part of a relationship, how can you view it as fun when you do it for work?

I also would find my brain turning to mush. What mental challenge or problem solving and using creativity (like I do in marketing at work) would you get a chance to experience? I don't want to hear it...if you're thinking up some now...blech. Would prolly be need to be censored-and it's not creativity.

I also can't see why men wouldn't see them as disgusting as a prostitute, when they would be turned off if she were a girlfriend prospect.

[Schizobunny]

It is a person's own body. They are not hurting anyone. They should be allowed to have sex with whoever they please at any price. As long both people involved in the trade agree with it, who cares?

[Eos of the Eons]

Originally posted by Schizobunny
It is a person's own body. They are not hurting anyone. They should be allowed to have sex with whoever they please at any price. As long both people involved in the trade agree with it, who cares?

Well, the guy brining AIDS home to his wife...

I'm sure she'll care. Does happen, unfortunately.

[Schizobunny]

Originally posted by Eos of the Eons


Well, the guy brining AIDS home to his wife...

I'm sure she'll care. Does happen, unfortunately.

If it is legal and is a prostitutes job requirement to get checked once a month or so then the person paying for the act won't have to worry about bringing AID's home to his or her spouse.

[Eos of the Eons]

Originally posted by Schizobunny


If it is legal and is a prostitutes job requirement to get checked once a month or so then the person paying for the act won't have to worry about bringing AID's home to his or her spouse.

Well, then he'll care when his spouse kicks his @s*...:D

I can't wait to see your avatar bunny...post post post!

[Schizobunny]

Originally posted by Eos of the Eons


Well, then he'll care when his spouse kicks his @s*...:D

I can't wait to see your avatar bunny...post post post!

Well it would have been his own fault and not anyone elses that he got his a** kicked and if you think of it that way then no one should be allowed to do anything that might cause even a little harm to themselves.

[xouper]

I can't say I like the way option three was worded. I don't think voting "other" is dishonest.

When I lived in the Bay Area (Florida), I went on one of those gambling ships that has no other purpose in life except to go out six miles into the Gulf of Mexico where gambling is apparently legal. I don't gamble much but the free dinner, free boat ride, and free dance band was worth doing once, I guess. Anyway, I remember wondering at the time why there weren't also ships that go out for the purpose of offering prostitution or illicit drugs in a similar way. Would have a whole new meaning for the "Love Boat". For example, can you imagine marijuana cruises, like maybe the "Toke Boat"? Maybe I'm just naive.

[BobK]

If someone marries for money, are they a prostitute?

[xouper]

Are porn actors prostitutes? How is that different from hiring two prostitutes to have sex with each other so you can watch?

[Zep]

Originally posted by xouper
... I remember wondering at the time why there weren't also ships that go out for the purpose of offering prostitution or illicit drugs in a similar way. Would have a whole new meaning for the "Love Boat". For example, can you imagine marijuana cruises, like maybe the "Toke Boat"? Maybe I'm just naive. Something about this makes me recall that this has indeed happened. If I remember correctly (and I'm hazy on this) it was a series of "pleasure cruises," although they could have been organised by mobsters...

[Ove]

I meant Yes too. You really should fix that voting. Off course prostitution should be legal anything else is hypocracy. The Swedes have passed a law that makes it a crime to buy sex from a prostitute. I'm glad my daughter is not going to grow up in that society.:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[arcticpenguin]

Originally posted by xouper
I can't say I like the way option three was worded. I don't think voting "other" is dishonest.

When I lived in the Bay Area (Florida), I went on one of those gambling ships that has no other purpose in life except to go out six miles into the Gulf of Mexico where gambling is apparently legal. I don't gamble much but the free dinner, free boat ride, and free dance band was worth doing once, I guess. Anyway, I remember wondering at the time why there weren't also ships that go out for the purpose of offering prostitution or illicit drugs in a similar way. Would have a whole new meaning for the "Love Boat". For example, can you imagine marijuana cruises, like maybe the "Toke Boat"? Maybe I'm just naive.
That might work for prostitution, since that is an activity that could be commenced when the proper location was reached. I don't see how it would work for marijuana though, since they couldn't leave it on the boat inside the geographical limits. I.e. possession of the substance is illegal, not just use.

[xouper]

arcticpenguin: I don't see how it would work for marijuana though, since they couldn't leave it on the boat inside the geographical limits. I.e. possession of the substance is illegal, not just use.Good point. I confess I haven't really given this a whole lot of thought. :)

[LillyThePink]

Interestingly there was a programme on Brit TV last night _ Louis and the Brothel, where Louis Theroux, an investigative journalist stayed in a legal brothel in Nevada.

The madam was married to the co-owner, who was a big bouncer-doorman type blokey.

the girls seemed happy and well looked after - one of them was getting her high-school diploma with the help and support of her employers. They earned good money, and lived with certain rules re: drink and drugs. They had an intercom system where someone listened to their negotiations with clients, and also they could get help if a client was drunk or violent.


More about Louis:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1488890.stm

I'm not saying that it would especially be my career choice. I'm saying that it will exist anyway, so legalise it and regulate it. Health checks and personal safety can only be of the good.

[epepke]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep
I live in a place where prostitution is legal, at least to a limited extent. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, legalized prostitution is a good thing; having legal brothels means many fewer girls selling themselves on the street, thus reducing the amount of other crime that comes with such activity

Much of the crime comes about because, where prostitution is illegal, a prostitute cannot rely on protection by the police. In Amsterdam, a window prostitute with an unruly customer just presses the button, and the police come.

I am NOT claiming it altogether eliminates streetwalkers, one can still find a few in Reno despite the fact that several brothels are nearby.

But Reno has a city ordinance against prostution. The nearby brothels are outside the city proper.

[epepke]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
Is there any evidence that making use of the services of prostitutes make men less prone to perpetrating sexual violence? I think this is a very difficult thing to prove, and therefore quite a wild assumption.

It may be difficult to prove, but it isn't particularly wild, given the number of people who claim the inverse.

[tim]

Originally posted by LillyThePink
Interestingly there was a programme on Brit TV last night _ Louis and the Brothel, where Louis Theroux, an investigative journalist stayed in a legal brothel in Nevada.

The madam was married to the co-owner, who was a big bouncer-doorman type blokey.

the girls seemed happy and well looked after - one of them was getting her high-school diploma with the help and support of her employers. They earned good money, and lived with certain rules re: drink and drugs. They had an intercom system where someone listened to their negotiations with clients, and also they could get help if a client was drunk or violent.

I'm not saying that it would especially be my career choice. I'm saying that it will exist anyway, so legalise it and regulate it. Health checks and personal safety can only be of the good.

I saw this programme as well.
As far as I am concerned there's no problem with prostitution at all, providing it's professionally run with all the health checks and carefully regulated.
I probably wouldn't want to live next door to a brothel, but neither would I want to live next door to a pub. This is a purely noisy neighbour thing.
As regards not wanting to marry a prostitute we've been here before. I lived with a girl once who had been a "professional girl". It didn't bother me - I rarely thought about it. She did that before she met me or even knew I existed. She found it hard to believe I didn't care - but I didn't.
Most of us sell ourselves in one way or another; why should this be considered evil? It's not the old disapproving Victorian thing again , is it?
:D :D :D

[Romeo]

Sorry, chum. I answered the question in the thread title instead of the one at the ballot box. Hope this doesn't skew the matter.

[Wile E. Coyote]

If fixing the poll question would help matters, I would change it. However, the damage has been done; the poll is useless.

At least the discussion can carry on.

[rockoon]

Prostitution as it happens between two free individuals who can choose to engage or not engage should definately be legal.

There is something completely outrageous about allowing two people to have sex with the one condition that money doesn't change hands.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by epepke


Much of the crime comes about because, where prostitution is illegal, a prostitute cannot rely on protection by the police. In Amsterdam, a window prostitute with an unruly customer just presses the button, and the police come.

Pretty much my point, I think I just worded myslef badly. The houses out here are in isolated rural areas so pressing a buzzer doesn't summon the police (it would take to long for them to get there) but it does call the bouncer. Either way, legalizing prostitution makes the girls safer because they end up with the same protection anyone in any other profession gets.

[But Reno has a city ordinance against prostution. The nearby brothels are outside the city proper.

This is true. However even if that weren't so but everything else was exactly the same, I think there would still be 'streetwalkers' in Reno because the brothels out here are a much more expensive option.

Now if prostitution were completely legal, that wouldn't be the case, since the market would set a going price for sex just like any other service. THAT would eliminate most of the crime associated with the profession, I think, because it would push the criminal element out of it.

[Charles Livingston]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
Wile:

I don't think it's wrong, either, although I confess that if I found out that my SO had been with a prostitute while in a relationship with me, I'd want him served fried, with potatoes.

Is there any evidence that making use of the services of prostitutes make men less prone to perpetrating sexual violence? I think this is a very difficult thing to prove, and therefore quite a wild assumption.

The reason I"m for prostitution is that, considering there's a market, and there are people willing to provide for it... it's a free world, right? No third party is going to be hurt. As long as all of the involved are adults conscious of their actions, and not working under coercion and being taken advantage of, then why not?

I know that many married men resort to prostitution - but not even my disgust for infidelity could make me be against it. I think they have the right to sell their bodies, as much as I ave the right to fry the hubby, along with the potatoes. :D

Well of course the infedility would cause a problem. I mean it really isnt any different than a conventional affair, except I guess their would likely be no emotional attachement. On a different note, would it bother you if your significant other had been with a prostitute before you were with him and when he was not in a committed relationship?

[toddjh]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
I think they have the right to sell their bodies, as much as I ave the right to fry the hubby, along with the potatoes. :D

Just as a side note, I've always disliked the "sell their bodies" line. Prostitutes provide a physical service, but I don't see why they are "selling their bodies" any more than, say, a construction worker or someone who loads a truck.

As for the poll, I voted yes. I think that there's nothing inherently wrong with prostitution, but the nature of the profession warrants it being regulated by the government. The potential for spreading disease is high, and the secretive nature of the profession and the typical clientele opens the door to physical danger. The stereotypical example of a street hooker working for drug money with a neighborhood pimp needs to be opposed.

The situation in Nevada works pretty well. All prostitutes are tested weekly for a variety of STD's, and condoms are required for everything (there has never been an incidence of HIV at a legal brothel). Everything takes place in a centralized location, so if there's a problem, security is on-hand. Sounds good to me.

Jeremy

[Eos of the Eons]

I haven't heard much discussion about pimps who get girls hooked on drugs, and then make them work to pay for them after they are hooked. I guess hookers is a good word for that.

Then there are young girls that are exploited as well.

Street prostitution is really horrible. The brothels that are regulated would be hugely better. Then there's a certain age a female has to be before she can work there.

I still can't imagine doing that for a living. Ucky yucky. :p

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Eos of the Eons

I still can't imagine doing that for a living. Ucky yucky. :p

Yeah, I can't imagine being a proctologist for the same reason. I wouldn't argue there is anything wrong with being a proctologist, though.

[gnome]

If I might throw a monkey wrench in...

When asked if prostitution should be illegal, my answer used to be a solid "no"... until I thought if this implication that very few discuss... maybe because it's easy to dispense with, who knows... but...

Suppose prostitution is legalized and appropriately legislated.

If it's to be legal to hire someone as a prostitute, would it also be legal to include prostitution in a combined job description?

Just one day the thought crossed my mind, and I imagined a job ad in the classifieds, "Administrative assistant wanted: office skills and prostitution duties."

Basically, you're hired to do office work and sleep with the boss.

Is it a good idea to allow this? Can it be avoided and still legalize prostitution? I haven't figured it out yet, so I'm throwing it out here to discuss.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by gnome
If I might throw a monkey wrench in...

When asked if prostitution should be illegal, my answer used to be a solid "no"... until I thought if this implication that very few discuss... maybe because it's easy to dispense with, who knows... but...

Suppose prostitution is legalized and appropriately legislated.

If it's to be legal to hire someone as a prostitute, would it also be legal to include prostitution in a combined job description?

Just one day the thought crossed my mind, and I imagined a job ad in the classifieds, "Administrative assistant wanted: office skills and prostitution duties."

Basically, you're hired to do office work and sleep with the boss.

Is it a good idea to allow this? Can it be avoided and still legalize prostitution? I haven't figured it out yet, so I'm throwing it out here to discuss.

If it is up front that prostitution is part of the job, I don't see a problem with it.

I suspect an ad like that would get few applicants, though,

[rdaneel]

Just one day the thought crossed my mind, and I imagined a job ad in the classifieds, "Administrative assistant wanted: office skills and prostitution duties."

I would imagine that any regulations would include provisions to prevent this. Don't the Nevada laws require that prostitution must be in brothels only?

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by rdaneel


I would imagine that any regulations would include provisions to prevent this. Don't the Nevada laws require that prostitution must be in brothels only?

Yes they do.

[voidx]

I don't think its a question of, is it right or wrong. From my point of view prostitution just is. No society that I can think of has ever successfully eliminated prostitution. Why make illegal and try to police on those terms, something that will never go away and that will always be there? To me its more of a question of, prostituition will exist whether you want it to or not. So...what are you going to do about it? Legalization makes the most sense to me. While not a 100% perfect solution, its the best option by far in my opinion for keeping some semblance of control and safety on something that currently has no controls. It gives you a groundwork to start helping some of these people that are not in it willingingly, and also providing a more beneficial outlet for those that are in it willingly.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by voidx
I don't think its a question of, is it right or wrong. From my point of view prostitution just is. No society that I can think of has ever successfully eliminated prostitution. Why make illegal and try to police on those terms, something that will never go away and that will always be there? To me its more of a question of, prostituition will exist whether you want it to or not. So...what are you going to do about it? Legalization makes the most sense to me. While not a 100% perfect solution, its the best option by far in my opinion for keeping some semblance of control and safety on something that currently has no controls. It gives you a groundwork to start helping some of these people that are not in it willingingly, and also providing a more beneficial outlet for those that are in it willingly.

That's a very good point. I have a philosophy that if you have a law that a sizable chunk of the population ignores (i.e. prostitution, drug laws, speed limits, etc. ) then it makes sense to take a good hard look to see if that law is really worth keeping around. It probably isn't

[KelvinG]

Originally posted by Eos of the Eons


Well, the guy brining AIDS home to his wife...

I'm sure she'll care. Does happen, unfortunately.

Well, sex is a risky venture whether it's with a prostitute or not (although not nearly as risky as the "morality police" would have us believe, especially when it comes to AIDS.)
I believe that it's likely more risky to engage in casual sex with a person you pick up at a bar for a one night stand than it is with a prostitute. Most legitimate prostitutes (and I'm not talking low rent, down by the railroad tracks crack whores here) are very safe and make it their business to ensure they don't expose themselves to STD's. It just isn't good business. It's like a restaurant that violates health codes. Who's going to want to eat there!

[SFB]

Originally posted by Wile E. Coyote
She had spent time with prostitutes and transvestites, as well as taking a sabbatical in India with Geisha's. She had been around, acededmically speaking.

You do know Geishas are from Japan, no? I wonder why they would be taking sabbaticals in India?

:D