Another, is it time to legalize thread...

[Motokid]

Prostitution...why not make it legal? The fact that it's illegal does not seem to make it go away. If prostitution was legal wouldn't that make things better all the way around for both the hooker, and the customer? Then the police, lawyers, courts, and jails don't have to have their time filled with this kind of non-sense.

The hookers would be safe from pimps. They could have medical insurance and routine check-ups for disease control. They could be protected from violent customers and have safe places to conduct business that are not in public alleys and neighborhoods.

Prostitution has been around for thousands of years and it's not going away. Maybe it's time to keep records, tax it, and regulate it just like alcohol or strip clubs or any other business? Why is it ok to make a pornographic film and get paid money for that, but not get paid money for doing it off screen?

Is there any good reason to keep prostitution illegal?

 

[Kookamoor]

Can someone clarify for me where it is and isn't illegal?? I know there are legal brothels in Melbourne - everyone knows they're there! But I think they need special licences and so forth. I don't see anything wrong with these establishments, if they are managed well and the women have health care and the clientelle are screened carefully for the women's safety.

As to prostitution on the streets, I think that should remain illegal. It's unsafe for the women, and it can be dangerous for other people in the area due to the 'clientelle' who are doing drivebys. Women who wish to pursue this profession, and I do believe it is a valid profession for some, should be encouraged to do it in the safest ways possible.

 

[demetrio]

There is legal prositution in Nevada, USA. It won't ever become legal anywhere else for a long long time, due to the power of the religious right here in America.

 

[Motokid]

Is it legal everywhere in Nevada (USA) or just Reno? Is it legal in Las Vegas?

Pretty much everywhere else in USA it's completely, 100% illegal in any way shape or form.

 

[Miss Shelf]

Motokid, I'm thinking maybe you got busted while enjoying the services of a hooker and that's what prompted your statement that it should be legalized.

How much was the fine?

 

[Martin]

I'm from Holland - you shouldn't ask me this.

Cheers

 

[Sergo]

Prostitution...why not make it legal? The fact that it's illegal does not seem to make it go away. If prostitution was legal wouldn't that make things better all the way around for both the hooker, and the customer? Then the police, lawyers, courts, and jails don't have to have their time filled with this kind of non-sense.
.........
Is there any good reason to keep prostitution illegal?

The reason is exactly as mentioned above: if it were legalised, the police, lawers, courts etc. would not have possibility to fill their time with it.
So they are not paid for it.
I don't know for America, but our people have learned long ago that everything officially illegal nearly always is used for additional income by those who supposedly should be eliminating it.
By the way, for example, in United Arab Emirates, where prostitution is not only a crime, but a sin even - the only way to organize a bordelle is to be born to the ruling family. As only relatives of the Ruler can allow lone girls to enter the Emirates. I heard that they get not a small bite out of that sin there.

 

[Wolhay]

I think that prostitution should be legal because of the simple principle that the state should not decide what you can do with your own body.

In Sweden it's not illegal to sell sexual favours but it's illegal to purchase. If it ever becomes legalized in Sweden it's not unlikely that it'll be monopolized by the state for "our own good", as gambling and stronger alcohol already are. The motto is that only the state is allowed to make profit of "sin".

 

[Motokid]

Have I ever solicited the services prostitute? No.

Sorry if that somehow ruins your image of me. I love money too much to throw it away on something like that. 25 to 100 bucks for just a minute and a half of ...oops...back to my orignially scheduled thoughts....

My 15th wedding anniversery is this June, I will have lived with my wife for 17 years in September, and will have been monogamous with her for 19 years in June. Have I ever paid for sex....you make the call...

And as for the police making money off busting prostitutes I doubt that's the reason it's illegal. There's plenty of things the police can do to make more money than busting prostitutes. Speeding and parking tickets comes to mind right off the bat.

It is most certainly a moral issue more than monetary. Which to me, is not a valid reason for keeping it illegal.

 

[Motokid]

"In Sweden it's not illegal to sell sexual favours but it's illegal to purchase."

How can anything legally be sold, if there's no legal way to purchase?

Sounds like the perfect "Only in Sweden" thread kinda thing.

Can this be explained in further detail?

 

[novella]

Wow, this is bound to be a popular movement to get behind with the politicos. Who want to be the first to lobby for legalized prostitution?

"Er, ladies and gentlemen, fellow Americans, I think whoring should be legal. Maybe even unionized. Not that I myself would ever partake, you understand, but I think it's what's best for the whores. After all, whores are mothers too. Some of the finest women I know are professionals. . . ."

Maybe if you come up with some legitimate medical application it would work.

 

[Wolhay]

How can anything legally be sold, if there's no legal way to purchase?

It cannot actually be legally sold but it is only the one that makes the purchase that will be prosecuted. I think that the reasoning behind it is that the prostitutes is considered victims and shouldn't be victimized further by legal process. I'd say that it's a lesser evil compared to the alternative of it being illegal for both parties.

Wow, this is bound to be a popular movement to get behind with the politicos. Who want to be the first to lobby for legalized prostitution?

I'm not certain but it could be possible that it's something that have been supported by the Libertarian Party in the USA. They are supposed to be the party of principle at least.

 

[Krys]

Here is an in-depth article on why prostitution should be legal...

Just like Moto said, the fact that it is illegal doesn't stop anyone from doing it.

I wonder how legalization would affect insurance rates (in the US).

 

[novella]

I'm not certain but it could be possible that it's something that have been supported by the Libertarian Party in the USA. They are supposed to be the party of principle at least.

I'm certain the Libertarians would support it. But in terms of percentage of voters, they're about as powerful as Communists.

 

[VTChEwbecca]

Just because things are illegal doesn't stop people from doing lots of things: speeding, murdering, stealing, prostitution etc. That argument doesn't hold a lot of water for me. However, I do agree that the religious right definitely won't allow prostitution to be legalized for a long time to be. Personally, I think they ought to either find other ways to help the females who feel they need to turn to prostitution as a job or legalize the whole deal and make sure that the girls are at least safe and would hopefully have health insurance (though I'm sure their rates would be sky high) and definitely have a form of birth control.

 

[novella]

Just because things are illegal doesn't stop people from doing lots of things: speeding, murdering, stealing, prostitution etc. That argument doesn't hold a lot of water for me. However, I do agree that the religious right definitely won't allow prostitution to be legalized for a long time to be. Personally, I think they ought to either find other ways to help the females who feel they need to turn to prostitution as a job or legalize the whole deal and make sure that the girls are at least safe and would hopefully have health insurance (though I'm sure their rates would be sky high) and definitely have a form of birth control.

Absolutely. I think the basic point that Moto is missing is that NOBODY wants to have sex with strangers for money. They do it out of desperation. Sure there are jaded pros out there who will say, Fine, make it legal. I like my job. But if you gave them a choice 10 years ago between being a travel agent, a chef, a construction worker, a stay-at-home mom, or a prostitute, what would they have picked and in what order?

And, BTW, Moto, if you think it's such a legitimate way to make a living, what would you think if one of your daughters was doing it? Or your wife?

 

[Halo]

Prostitution should definitely be legalised. That would hopefully provide protection for the prostitutes, protection for the clients, and cut the pimps out of the picture (pimps are the scum of the earth). There has always been prostitution, the oldest profession and all that, so why not make it safer for everyone involved?

I have heard that some women do choose prostitution as a viable career option, and not because they are desperate. They see it as an easy way to make big money, especially if they are in the "escort" side of things. I would think they are in the minority, though.

 

[novella]

I'm going to change my mind. Seemingly, anyway. Woman's perogative and all that.

Heck, make it legal. If it's legal to do it without charging money, why not do it and make a buck? And being naked should also be legal. But I draw the line at having sex while driving naked. That's a hazard to your neighbors. But you CAN be naked while driving, except maybe you should be required to wear shoes. And you have to be at least 17 before you can take your clothes off.

 

[Freya]

I know it's terrible un-PC, but could we possibly make people apply for a licence to be naked? So we don't end up having to look at lots of ugly naked people? That's my main issue with the whole nudist movement... they're all so damn repulsive.

On the whole prostitution thingymibob - they were trying to do something in the way of making it legal in Liverpool. Dunno what was going on there, damned place is overflowing with criminals as it is. Evidently they were just trying to make a dent in their crime rates.

 

[Kookamoor]

I know it's terrible un-PC, but could we possibly make people apply for a licence to be naked? So we don't end up having to look at lots of ugly naked people?

I think the basic point that Moto is missing is that NOBODY wants to have sex with strangers for money.

I know you changed your mind, Novella, but I'm still quoting what you said here as this is a common conception stemming from the cliche that men love sex and women don't. Why is it that men are reveared as porn stars and women are thought to be dirty and slutty? Consider, for a moment, that some women enjoy sex and... well, who doesn't want to be paid for doing what they love? I know there's a seedy side to the business, and perhaps legalising prostitution could be a way to validate this sort of career rather than relegating it to street corners, back alleys and seedy motels.

People get paid for using their body in a variety of ways: Doctors use their hands for surgery, people model clothes or model nude for art, people use their noses for wine... why is sex such a taboo use of the body? Why do we put it up on that pedestal of things that is somehow sacred? In my opinion that's preventing certain freedoms. Why can I exploit my nose or hands and not other aspects of my body?

And before you ask, yes I would have problems with my friends, family or future children becoming involved in prostitution. But the reason I would is because of (in no particular order):

a) Health concerns
b) Safety concerns
c) The stigma of the industry
d) Legal concerns

If you resolve a, b and d I'm still going to have issues with c. But perhaps in future we will have a more liberal view of these things. The POINT is that some people don't have a problem with c, and for these people they should be allowed to use their bodies however they see fit.

Oh, and just someone steps in with 'but in my opinion sex is sacred' for whatever reason, just bear in mind that not everyone has that opinion. Making something illegal because you don't believe in it, and where no one is being hurt or oppressed, is just a tad dictatorial, don't you think?