Should Prostitution be Legalized?

[ShiningIce]

Yes or no?

 

[grippedchimp]

It's like asking the question if cannabis should be legalised. Anyone who does either of those for a living aren't necessarily bad people. Women turn to prostitution due to financial hardship, and have to get by in life. They don't want to do it, but it's a last resort. What's wrong however, are pimps. Like drug dealers, they're generally evil and somewhat fatcat in personality.

So should prostitution be legalised? Well, maybe. As long as pimps aren't.

 

[rajee]

There are a number of different reasons why girls and women turn to prostitution:running away from an abusive situation at home and need to survive, want the tax-free cash and amount of money they can get a year and they get deceived by the Pretty Woman movie, they are drug addicts and need money for their next hit, etc...🙁
I believe legalizing prostitution in North America, where it isn't already will be making the situation for the girls and women worse than they already have it. It will just give the abusive dicks the legal green light to continue what they are doing anyway. If they want it legalized let them go to Amsterdam or Nevada? for legal prostitution. I say let's make it extremely hard for them elsewhere! 😀

 

[Haltickling]

I agree wholeheartedly, Chimp. As I mentioned in other threads, Prostitution is legal here in Germany. The girls have to be registered and get a thorough health check every 3 months. They even have to pay taxes! Pimps are illegal of course, but the number of "pimp-free" prostitutes has increased steadily.

But there's still a lot of illegal prostitution here, mostly drug addicts and victims of "girl-trading" (a modern variety of slavery) from Eastern Europe and Asia. So legalizing prostitution won't get rid of the criminal scene.

But at least some men can get sexual relief without harassing or raping other girls. The prostitutes have to put up with a lot of shit and male misdemeanors, and I see them as a real service to society.

The motives for going into prostitution are manifold, not only the need for money. Many prostitutes were victims of child abuse or adolescent runaways from a broken or violent family, and they have lost their respect for men. Others want money on the fast track, and still others do it for their own fun (yes, they really do!).

Legalizing prostitution will not solve all the problems, but at least some of them. Anyway, it's more honest to admit that relationships can't cope with all the sexual needs of some men. Pretending that such problems don't exist is a lack of realism; I'd even call it hypocrisy.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Sometimes these women have no other options. They may have children to feed, and as Lime said in a similar thread, "Women get paid less than men for doing the same jobs." This means they need to find the funds in another way. Sometimes prostitution is the only option available to them. So, yes, I echo the opinions of those above.

 

[grippedchimp]

Hal, the one thing I realised when I visited Germany 4 years ago, their laws generally seem relaxed in comparison to other countries (the legal drinking age is considerably lower compared to the USA) but they do work and function, so that law you mentioned is one that I feel the world should try to adopt it, then maybe adapt it a bit.

 

[ShiningIce]

I think they should get unions.

 

[Haltickling]

Hal, the one thing I realised when I visited Germany 4 years ago, their laws generally seem relaxed in comparison to other countries (the legal drinking age is considerably lower compared to the USA) but they do work and function, so that law you mentioned is one that I feel the world should try to adopt it, then maybe adapt it a bit.

Yes Chimp, some of our laws are more liberal. But we, too, have the problem with adolescent alcoholics and drug abusers. Beer is legal from 16 and until 10 pm, booze is from 18 on. But a driver's license is not available under 18, and guns are illegal even for adults (only allowed under VERY restricted circumstances). So you can't generalize or even compare the laws.

Anyway, no human law is flawless. So I see no necessity to equalize our laws to a common standard on other than human rights. The result would be an even more flawed compromise.

 

[kurchatovium]

Ok this is probably one of those issues where I don't fit into the usual conservative mind set. Leagalize prostitution. Its not like anyone has managed to stop the world's oldest profession anyway. This would free up police for more important things like I don't know murder for example. Gee I think Hal and I might actually agree on this one. Who would have thunk it.😀

 

[amk714]

I don't like prostitution, but I think if it is legalized and regulated, there will less abuse, and the spread of STDs will be reduced.

 

[Neutron]

It's Legal..

In Ontario and the last I checked the place hasn't fallen off the globe.


Darth Neutron

 

[SlaverTickler]

I vote Yes

I say yes to legalizing prostitution simply because you could getrid of alot of the pips. The women & men could have a pention plan, or even a union. A hookers union could bring in drug testing, as well as testing for AIDS and other stuff. I'm not saying that I think Prostatution is good, but it's there, and it will not go away. Why not legalize it, clean it up, and allow society to get something back in the form of Taxes.

On the other hand I do not think pot should be legalized for anything outside of medacle reasons. It is a proven fact that the majority of hard drug users started out with weed. I read it in a book while doing research for a speach in 6th grade.

 

[ticklemonster99]

Yes, it should be legalized.

Whatever happens between two consenting adults should be legal. After all, we hire people to babysit and sometimes raise our children (babysitters/nannys), cook our food (restaurants), clean our houses (maids), drive us around (cabbies),care for our elderly family members (nursing homes)...and these are usually total strangers we are trusting our lives and our loved ones lives to! Why not be able to hire someone for sex and companionship?

Once it is legalized, then it can be regulated. That means no pimps, health screenings, and it can be taxed. It is the worlds oldest profession so it will never go away...why not make it safe for everyone?

 

[Limeoutsider]

Yes

Provided that they pay taxes, and agree to get tested for STDs and drug tests

 

[sole seeker]

Yes, I think prostitution should be legalized for several reasons:

better monitoring of STD
take away one monetary base of organized crime
IMO attempts to legislate morality are wrong!

No it will not solve lots of problems, but it might cut some of them back.

 

[omega]

If we are going to legalize prostitution, why not legalize bank robbery? People turn to it as a last resort to get some quick cash. If it were legal it would be much safer for bank employees as well as the robbers. Of course the robbers must be required to pay taxes and submit to random drug testing. After all, fair is fair.

 

[ShiningIce]

I dont think armed robbery and prostitution are equal on the severeity scale......

 

[Haltickling]

If we are going to legalize prostitution, why not legalize bank robbery? People turn to it as a last resort to get some quick cash. If it were legal it would be much safer for bank employees as well as the robbers. Of course the robbers must be required to pay taxes and submit to random drug testing. After all, fair is fair.

Sorry omega, that is nonsense. You can't compare a crime like stealing that only benefits the criminal to a service like prostitution, from which both profit. The latter is a simple business: sexual satisfaction for money. You have done yourself a very bad service with that logically invalid comparison. Rethink your words.

 

[stevisecret]

Legalize Yes!

Prostitution is a what is referred to as a victimless crime. When two consenting adults enter into a business relationship, there is no classic victim (as in the robbery example). The only victimization occurs when society enforces its archaic laws on those who willingly enter into the trade. The benefits of legalization are many fold including: tax payer savings on fruitless law enforcement,use of police time to arrest real criminals, better health and safety standards, potential tax revenue for the government. Prostitution laws are based on outdated morality not on any sound social reasoning. There is an old saying "You can't legislate morality". When people wish to do things that in their mind harms no one, no set of laws will convince them that they are wrong to do these things. In the case of prostitution, if you don't want to be involved don't do so. Make it a choice like smoking, drinking, gambling etc. No one will ever force you to be or hire a prostitute. Finally, there is the sane practicle reason, you ain't going to stop it anyway!
Stevi Secret
http://www.stevisecret.com
PS Today prostitutes are known as providers. A term change designed to decrease stigmitization, add legitimacy and increase public acceptance.

 

[BigJim]

Reasons for legalisation and regulation: It takes street girls off the streets and gives them safer working enviroments, it will slash the medical implications by giving girls regular health checks, it will provide a vital and very useful service to desperate gits with no sex life and boiling over libidos (ears are burning again), it will cut down on police time and give vice officers decent crimes to investigate, it will provide more tax, it will make both punters and girls safer from pimps who exploit and demean them and the profession.


Reasons against legalisation and regulation: It'll give the religious, interferers something else to control over other people's lives, that's none of their business. Why should a victimless "crime" be of any person's business besides the two involved in the transaction?

Originally posted by OmegaIf we are going to legalize prostitution, why not legalize bank robbery? People turn to it as a last resort to get some quick cash. If it were legal it would be much safer for bank employees as well as the robbers. Of course the robbers must be required to pay taxes and submit to random drug testing. After all, fair is fair.

Omega I respect the work you do, but that is utter nonsense without a shred of logic. Prostitution harms no-one if it is conducted within the legalities that are enforced in for instance, Germany. There is nothing whatsoever that can be claimed to be against prostitution (that can't be easilly refuted) without bringing religion into the equation. Given that religion has done it's best to emotionally and spiritually cripple humanity for millenia, it's the last thing that should have any bearing on the subject.

Of course there are plenty of people in America and the UK who would agree with you, but let's face it; if they don't agree with it, they don't have to use it. That's what it comes down to. The offence you mentioned causes ructions all over the shop, prostitution doesn't. Fact.

Bank robbery harms the people who are subjected to it mentally, emotionally and in the case of being blown away by the robbers shotgun, phyically. Prostitution actually helps a lot of people. The law in places like Germany and Holland has actually made it a much safer and very useful service. No logic or any direct argument can link it to a criminal offence like robbery.

Can you actually justify it remaining a criminal offence in all places bar Las Vegas, without using religion to bolster your argument? I know you didn't mentioned religious morals in your post, but I'd be very surprised if they weren't on your mind.

Incidentally padre, when I mentioned the phrase "religious interferers" I wasn't refering to you. You were just stating your opinion. I was refering to people who acually use legal force using religion as a justification in interfereing in other people's lives. I actually made the remark before I read your post.

 

[TKpervert]

Slightly different slant on the topic here but what the hey:

Prostitution is legal in Washington D.C., just watch the nine contenders for the Democratic presidinkal nomination.

And watch closer when they get SERIOUS about fundraising.

At least they're providing full employment for handlers and hair-spray manufacturers.

Is it the same across the big pond ??

 

[BigJim]

Pretty much yes, but with higher candidate alcohol consumption.

 

[MrMacphisto]

Mr. Perv, I have a quandary for you..

TKPervert, I have to agree that prostitution is legal in D.C., but both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of it. It's an unfortunate part of the system, and we can thank lobbyists and the creation of political parties in the first place for it. George Washington was correct in his assumption that political parties only serve to divide the people....

As for prostitution outside of the political pork barrel, why not legalize it? The War on Prostitution is just as misguided as the War on Drugs. Even the War on Terrorism is being fought in a completely inconsistent and impractical way; of course, we can thank George and Congress for that....

 

[BigJim]

Re: Mr. Perv, I have a quandary for you..

of course, we can thank George and Congress for that....

Don't forget the Illuminati!!!

 

[kurchatovium]

I agree with Ice, Hal, and BigJim on this one. Prostitution if it were well regulated would not harm anyone and might actually help control STD's. Certainly comparing it to a crime like armed robbery where people might get killed is not a good comparison.